🇳🇱🇷🇺 Russian Olympic champions labeled a threat to international relations and denied entry to the World Championships

The Netherlands refused to issue visas to the three leading Russian gymnasts Angelina Melnikova, Viktoria Listunova, and Anna Kalmakova. The athletes were due to compete at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, which will be held in Rotterdam from October 17 to 25. The reason for the refusal was an assessment stating that one or more Schengen Area countries considered the athletes a “threat to their international relations.”

Those denied visas include the reigning all-around world champion, Angelina Melnikova, as well as Olympic champion Viktoria Listunova. The championships in Rotterdam are also the first qualifying phase for the 2028 Olympic Games. The Russian Gymnastics Federation described the decision by the Dutch authorities as the targeted elimination of the strongest competitors in the fight for medals and Olympic quota places. The Russian side intends to appeal to the International Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation.

Three young athletes, two of whom have already become Olympic champions, suddenly came to be regarded as a “threat to international relations.” However, the published justification does not mention any specific actions by the gymnasts that are supposedly the source of such a threat. It is also noteworthy that the refusal came after Russians had already been allowed to participate in international competitions. Although they were permitted to compete, the strongest athletes were denied entry into the country hosting the championships.


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