Ukraine is fighting Russian return to gymnastics

Russian Angelina Melnika competes in a balancing bundle of artistic gymnastic teams for animals during the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020. Center Ariaka Gimnastics in Tokyo, 27. July 2021. Years. (Photo Loic Venza / AFP) (photo LOIC Venence / AFP)

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Russian and Belarusian gymnasts are placed to return to the international competition for the first time from 2021. years, after the banning the International Federation of Gymnastics (SL) in March 2022. years.

Prohibition, which excluded the athletes and officials with Sanctions due to Russia invasion of Ukraine, was abolished 1. January 2024. years. SL It allows their return, but only as “individual neutral athletes” under strict conditions that banned national representation.

This August International Federation of Gymnastics confirmed the registration of five Russian or Belarusian gymnasts As authorized neutral athletes (Ain) in the upcoming Fig World Challenge Cup In Paris. Among them was the Olympic and World Champion Angelina Melnikova.

Their approval for the competition in September created significantly upset, with many reputation of Melnikon’s participation, especially violates similar rules. Many approved athletes oppose the international neutrality of the Gymnastics Federation (SL) conditions of neutrality in detail Ad-hoc guidelines.

According to the Fig., The status of the neutrality of the athlete should be determined by the following criteria:

Athlete looking for neutral status must have:

1. It has nothing to do with Russian / Belarusian army or even any national security agency.
2. There is no communication associated with Russia or Belarus.
3. No support to military conflict in Ukraine.

Political connections Melnikova

Tokyo, Japan – 29. July: (LR) Silver Medalist Rebecca Andrade Tima of Team United States and Bronze Medalist Angelina Melnikov Team Roc Gymnastics in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo Jamie Squire / Getty Images)

Getti images

Angelina Melnikova, the third most educated women’s Russian gymnastic gymnasium, created a significant international fanda during his career, which includes a historical body of gold at the Olympic Games 2021. Tokyo and 2021. World title in the world. However, many claim that its public support of the war in Ukraine should disqualify it from neutral status.

Determined “Terror Champion” by Defensive Intelligence of UkraineMelniks competes for the Central Sports Club of the Army (CSKA), which is subordinated to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Ukraine considers the athletes from this club to be representatives of the “Armed Forces of the Aggression State”.

In addition, the political links of Melicks are noticeable: led to local elections in Voronezh in April 2025. years and won primary as a candidate for prudam Junaj Russia. Although she withdrew his candidacy in July to focus on gymnastics, critics point out that it was not withdrawn its political position.

Melnik also publicly showed its support of the war on social media, partitions of the prophetic content and using Z-symbol for “to win” (“for win”). Despite these actions, the meeting confirmed its participation in the coming World Chaph Chap.

Ukrainian gymnastics reacts

Atlanta, GA – 29. July: Lilia Podkopaii from Ukraine performances on the Women’s Olympic Prosue at Georgia Dome 29. July. Podkopajeva took gold with 9,850 points. (Only for the editor only) AFP-IOPP / Eric Feferberg (Photo Credit should read AF / AFP via Getty Images)

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After confirming Russian and Belarusian participation in Paris, I talked exclusively with the Ukrainian Federation of Gymnastics (UGF) and Lilia Podkopai, Zvezda Gimnast and 1996. Olympic and 1995. Saint Champion.

Podkopaje strongly opposes the decision. “This is an injustice that the world cannot ignore,” she claims. “Sport cannot be neutral during the war: Each victory becomes a tool propaganda, and (Russian and Belarusian) participation only values ​​that are supposed to support values.”

The Legend of the Olympic Gymnastics is a long time for human rights in its home country, which in 2005. served HIV / AIDS ambassador to Ukraine. From Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, Podkopajeva increased its presence as an anti-war advocate. 2023. years, she expanded its humanitarian effortsProviding help with Ukrainian border guards on the front lines.

“The war killed at least 648 children, hundredth of athletes and coaches and destroyed over 700 sports facilities. Ukrainian children suffer from rockets and drones, while Russian and Belarusian children train and compete,” he tells me.

“This is an injustice that the world cannot ignore. As long as the aggression continues, these athletes must not participate in international competitions.”

Podkopaieva was then addressed directly as foll. “I persuade (international federation of gymnastics) and sports community to draw a clear moral line: the protection of sports begins with the protection of human life.”

Atlanta, GA – 25. July: (from LR) Silver medal Gina Gogean from Romania, Bronze Medals Simon Anamar and Lavinia Milosovići from Romania, after winning individual women’s competition in Atlanta, Georgia, 25. July. Podkopaieva won a title with 39,255 points, and then Gogean with 39,075 points and compatriots Anamar and Milosovići with 39,067. (Only editorial only) AFP-IOPP / Eric Feferberg (Photo Credit should read AFP-YOP / AFP via Getty Images)

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Irina derigineThe President of the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation, also issued a strong response to Russian and Belarusian involvement in Paris Chap Chap in an exclusive letter.

The “Ukrainian Federation of Gymnastics is constantly monitoring the participants of international sports competitions and compliance with this status with the criteria of the International Gymnastics Federation”, Derigina countries.

If the “deviation from the criteria for the allocation of neutral status in connection with specific athletes,” deriiga confirms that Ukrainian gymnastics will take “all possible measures to prevent such athlete from participating in international sports competitions.”

These measures include reporting to the International Gymnastics Alliance, “demanding that neutral status is revoked from those athletes whose behavior and actions do not meet neutrality criteria.” The UGF will also submit protests, directed at the competition organizers.

Deriigina promises that they will be able to manage neutral approvals for athletes. “Ukrainian gymnastics The Federation will take on similar actions in relation to the said athletes,” she says.

Indicates the neutral status of athletes as one of the “most important topics for the global sports community”, adding that the Ukrainian Federation of Gymnastics remains dedicated to preventing the “sports square”.

Cambridge Dictionary define “SPORTING” as a “practice of organization, government, countries, etc., support sports sports or organizing sports events as a way to improve its reputation”

“Sports washing is when sports – with all positive feelings that inspires – used to turn attention from social or environmental problems.”

The approval of melnikovo and its teammates as neutral athletes are “exactly this case”, allegations of the Federation.

Next steps for Ukrainian gymnastics

If the image does not deal with the UGFs on sports hatchery, Ukrainian athletes can be retired from the event in the form of a “passive protest,” Deriigina said. Nominative Roster Paris in Paris currently includes seven Ukrainian gymnasts.

“At the same time, significant support in preventing the implementation of sports instructions should provide media, and Ukrainian gymnastics consider your letter as if it expresses an existing problem,” she says.

Deriigina also emphasized the crucial role of the media in preventing “sports haws”, adding that the like. “Neutrality” Athletes’ status “despite and contrary to even public facts, (it) discredit the legal institution itself of the institution of” neutrality “itself.