World Gymnastics Allows Russians To Compete With Flag, Anthem

MOSCOW, May 18 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- The Executive Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation has decided to allow Russian gymnasts to participate in international competitions under the national flag and anthem, the Russian Gymnastics Federation said on Monday, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

The committee held a meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh over the weekend and decided "lift all restrictions applicable to Russian and Belarusian athletes since February 2022, with immediate effect," adding that "the FIG Ad-Hoc rules are therefore no longer in force."

"On May 17, 2026, in Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt), the executive committee of World Gymnastics made a decision on the admission of Russian gymnasts to international competitions under the Russian flag and with the performance of the national anthem.

“The decision applies to all five gymnastic sports belonging to the Russian Gymnastics Federation: athletic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline jumping, athletic acrobatics and athletic aerobics," the federation said in a statement.

-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI