The Russian Gymnastics Federation has revealed that Olympic champions Angelina Melnikova and Viktoria Listunova, along with another athlete, have been refused visas to enter the Netherlands for the world championships commencing in Rotterdam this Saturday. Melnikova, who would have been the defending champion in the women’s all-around event, was set to compete in the weeklong championship, which serves as a team qualifying competition for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In response to the denial of visas, Russian officials are planning to request the International Olympic Committee and World Gymnastics to revoke the championships’ status as a qualifier for the Los Angeles Games, as stated by sports minister Mikhail Degtyaryov on social media.
Both Melnikova and Listunova secured gold medals in the team event at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where they outperformed a United States team that did not include Simone Biles, who had withdrawn from the competition. The Russian contingent, which included 18-year-old Anna Kalmykova, was expected to travel to the Netherlands for the event. However, reports from Russian media indicate that only four other Russian gymnasts were granted entry into the country.
Following the lifting of restrictions by World Gymnastics in May, Russian gymnasts were allowed to compete internationally after facing bans and vetting requirements for neutral status during the Ukrainian military invasion. Nevertheless, host countries still have the authority to refuse visas for political or security considerations.
Notably, at the 2024 Paris Olympics, no Russian athletes participated in artistic gymnastics.
