MOSCOW, July 25 Foreign fans expressed disappointment due to the absence of Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics Angelina Melnikova from the upcoming Games in Paris.
On Wednesday, Melnikova published a post on Instagram* in which she declared the impossibility of performing in Paris as an “unfulfilled Olympic dream.” Several dozen messages with words of support came from foreign fans, including Americans.
«As an American, I am very sad that we will not see the wonderful Russian gymnasts. You are strong athletes, and this makes the Olympic Games more interesting and exciting. I am very sorry. I always looked forward to the Russian team performing,» one user wrote.
«The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should be ashamed. You and your team will be missed! I hope you can all find a way to come back. Love you,» she said another fan.
“We are deeply sorry. You are a great athlete and will return to Los Angeles in 2028,” said a user from Belgium.
«Shame on the FIG and the policy-based IOC. I send greetings to all Russian athletes, may you be the strongest team in 2028,» wrote a fan from Canada.
Melnikova herself also noted the support from abroad, writing in stories: “I am completely shocked by the support of foreign fans under this post. When they ask me if foreigners are waiting for us at the competition, just look what’s going on in the comments. This is how they are waiting for us.»
In July 2023, FIG announced the admission of athletes from Russia and Belarus to international competitions in a neutral status from January 1, 2024. Eligibility criteria were released in November. In March, it became known that the Russian artistic gymnastics team refused to participate in neutral status in the qualifying competitions for the Olympic Games in Paris.
* The activities of Meta (social networks Facebook and Instagram) are prohibited in Russia as extremist.
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