The International Gymnastics Federation announced on Wednesday that athletes from Russia and Belarus will be able to compete in competitions organized under the auspices of the FIG, but under the condition of neutral status.

>> President of the IOC about athletes from Russia and Belarus: “Athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments”

Russian and Belarusian athletes can act as neutrals at international gymnastics competitions

“The Executive Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) on Wednesday adopted the following decisions regarding the sanctions introduced against Russia and Belarus on February 26, 2022 as a result of Russia’s offensive against Ukraine, and the measures already adopted in March. 1-2, 2023.

• To reiterate our strong condemnation of Russia’s senseless invasion of Ukraine and its commitment to severely punish anyone in the international gymnastics community who engages in or supports war.

• Continue to provide support to victims of the war in Ukraine.

• To respect the right of all athletes, regardless of their nationality, to non-discriminatory treatment,” he declares. picture on the official website.

Regarding the participation of athletes with the citizenship of Russia and Belarus in events authorized by the FIG, the Executive Committee decided the following:

“Allow, under strict conditions, the participation of athletes and sports support personnel of Russian and Belarusian nationality in FIG competitions, specified in the FIG calendar, as “individual neutral athletes”, without any involvement or connection with the Russian Federation or the Republic. Belarus, with their national federations or respective national Olympic committees.

To introduce a strict requirement of neutrality towards the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus for any participation in FIG competitions.”

The participation of athletes as individual neutral athletes will be subject to several measures, which will be described in the special Regulations, in order to ensure strict compliance with the requirements of neutrality.

Any athlete wishing to obtain the status of “individual neutral athlete” must submit an application to the FIG in accordance with the special Regulations.

Athletes granted this status will be eligible to compete in FIG-sanctioned competitions beginning January 1, 2024.

While these rulings allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to FIG-sanctioned events, which may include Olympic qualification events prior to Paris 2024, decisions regarding the eligibility of Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are the responsibility of the IOC. , write News.ro.

“By accepting Russian and Belarusian gymnasts to compete as independent and neutral athletes, the FIG guarantees respect for the rights of all athletes and sends a message to the world that gymnastics wants peace” – Morinari Watanabe, President of FIG.