The Russian question divides the world of gymnastics. The European body of the discipline (European Gymnastics) decided during its annual general meeting, organized last weekend in Sofia, not to authorize Russian and Belarusian athletes in its competitions. The decision was made by a vote of delegates. It extends the suspension of athletes from the two countries in conflict with Ukraine after January 1, 2024. European Gymnastics specifies this in a press release: it thus goes against the decision of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). The world body, which had excluded the Russians and Belarusians in March 2022, decided last July to follow the recommendations of the IOC Executive Board and to authorize their return to competitions, under neutral status, from January 1, 2024. Unprecedented situation: Russian and Belarusian gymnasts will therefore theoretically be able to return to the international scene, but without being able to participate in European competitions.
