Russian athletes are not seen on the Paris gymnastics mat.
The silver medal was a disappointment for the Russian team at the Tokyo Olympics. Bulgaria took the gold. PDO
At the beginning of December, Russian athletes received a blessing from the International Olympic Committee to go to next summer’s Olympic Games in Paris if certain conditions were met.
For some Russians, the condition of competing without ID is perceived as too big. According to the Russian TASS news agency, at least the national rhythmic gymnastics team of Russia resists and refuses to go to any international competitions as neutral representatives.
Russia is a great country of rhythmic gymnastics, so the Olympic team of Russian athletes will almost certainly lose a medal with the decision.
“It would be shameful
The star gymnastics coach Irina Viner does not want to send the Russians to Paris without their home colors. PDO
The president of the Russian Gymnastics Federation and the coach of the national team told about the decision Irina Vinerwho is also known for his admiration for the Russian regime.
– In Europe, we have only been able to get one representative place at the Olympics. But what would we do with it? Without a flag, a national anthem, supporters and a special atmosphere, there is no point in rhythmic gymnastics. It would be shameful to agree. Under no circumstances will we perform without the Russian flag and the national anthem.
– This is humiliating for our entire country, Viner says.
Rhythmic gymnastics has been Russia’s favorite sport at the Olympics. It has won a total of ten gold medals, while the others have only managed one. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, the Russian rhythmic gymnastics team finished second.
A year ago, Russian gymnastics circles experienced a humiliating blow when the European Championships were moved from Russia to Israel.