⚡️ The Netherlands denies visas to three leading Russian artistic gymnasts
The Embassy of the Netherlands in Moscow has notified the visa centre that visa applications have been denied for three leading members of Russia’s women’s national gymnastics team – Angelina Melnikova, Viktoria Listunova and Anna Kalmykova.
The decision prevents them from competing at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, to be held in Rotterdam on October 17-25.
The Russian Gymnastics Federation regards the Dutch authorities’ actions as a deliberate attempt to eliminate the strongest gymnasts from contention for World Championship medals and Olympic quota places.
This constitutes direct discrimination against Russian athletes and a flagrant violation of the principle of equal conditions in Olympic qualification.
❗️ The Russian Gymnastics Federation intends to appeal to the International Olympic Committee (#IOC) and World Gymnastics, asking them to assess the situation and its implications for ensuring equal conditions in Olympic qualification.
Five other athletes named in Russia’s main squad for the World Championships are also awaiting decisions on their visa applications: Lyudmila Roshchina, Milana Kayumova, Ilya Zaika, Saveliy Syedin and Mukhammadzhon Yakubov.
The World Championships in Rotterdam will be the first stage of team qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The top three men’s teams and top three women’s teams will secure Olympic quota places.