Russian Gymnasts' Stance and the Changing Landscape of International SportsThe president of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), Morinari Watanabe, who ran for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier this year but lost to Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe, visited Ukraine and Russia in March, apparently to ease tensions. In last year's Paris Summer Olympics, only 15 Russian athletes participated, and all had to follow strict neutrality guidelines, being required to prove that they had no connection with the Russian military or security services. A similar arrangement seems likely for the Milan - Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics

May 14, 2025, 5:15 pm EDT

Russian Gymnasts' Stance and the Changing Landscape of International Sports

The president of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), Morinari Watanabe, who ran for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier this year but lost to Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe, visited Ukraine and Russia in March, apparently to ease tensions. In last year's Paris Summer Olympics, only 15 Russian athletes participated, and all had to follow strict neutrality guidelines, being required to prove that they had no connection with the Russian military or security services. A similar arrangement seems likely for the Milan - Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics, which is scheduled to be held in northern Italy from February 6 to 22, 2026.

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As Coventry is set to replace the outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach in June, and with the diplomatic efforts between global sports bodies and national sports federations continuing, the current deadlock may change in the coming months. The FIG has refused to comment on the decisions of individual neutral athletes (AIN), stating that "the FIG does not comment on the decisions of any AIN". This stance leaves the future participation of Russian gymnasts in international competitions in a state of uncertainty.

Nevertheless, the Russian Minister of Sports, Mikhail Degtyarev, has expressed his support for the athletes, saying that "the gymnasts have followed the principle of 'all for one, one for all'". This reflects the unity among Russian gymnasts and their collective position in the face of the complex international sports situation. Whether the situation will improve for Russian gymnasts to participate in international gymnastics competitions remains to be seen, depending on the future diplomatic efforts and policy adjustments of relevant international sports organizations.