Does FIG really think that our gymnasts will be tempted by colorful leotards?
Dina Averina / Photo: © Dmitry Chelyapin / Match TV
The absence of Russians on the international stage harms not only our sport, but also causes many problems for competition organizers and international federations. Some of them are trying to smooth things over, but most of these half-hearted attempts are simply ridiculous.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is expecting the return of our gymnasts from January 1, 2024 and has even softened the original requirements. But does the leadership of international gymnastics really believe that champions will be tempted by the opportunity to perform in multi-colored tights?
An insulting sop does not fundamentally change anything.
“There’s something wrong with their head”
In November, FIG published criteria for admission of Russians and Belarusians to international tournaments. Athletes from the two countries will be allowed to return from January 1, 2024, albeit in a neutral status and subject to an impressive list of conditions. No national symbols, no connections with the army or security forces. Among other things, potential participants had to wear a “light blue” uniform, and in case of victory, hear some neutral melody instead of the anthem.
According to the General Director of the Russian Olympic Committee, Vladimir Sengleev, international federations also require athletes to pay 1.5 thousand Swiss francs (about 300 thousand rubles). This amount is estimated for the work of inspectors who will check whether potential participants in the competition meet all the conditions. It is not surprising that no one in Russian gymnastics appreciated such a “generous gift” from FIG.
“I believe that under such conditions we cannot participate in these competitions.” Many athletes do not have the means to pay for testing, uniforms, and travel. This is not accepted here,” Match TV quotes Irina Viner, president of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation.
Irina Viner / Photo: © Denis Bushkovsky / Match TV
– Let FIG ask for money, but we will not give anything for verification, because not a single point of neutral status suits us. We said that there would be no applications from us until these points were changed. Therefore, we will not show up anywhere and will not pay. It is obvious that the federation wants to make money. It seems to me that something happened to their heads,” Valentina Rodionenko, senior coach of the Russian artistic gymnastics team, told RIA Novosti Sport.
Form requirements
Perhaps the International Gymnastics Federation decided that they had gone overboard. At least one of the requirements is no longer mandatory. Did they really allow the army or did they allow the Russian flag? Perhaps the athletes were exempted from paying a hefty fee to ensure they were sufficiently neutral? No, the information about the need to compete in a light blue uniform has disappeared on the FIG website.
True, even this concession turned out to be incomplete. Athletes and support staff must submit uniforms and equipment for FIG approval in advance. Perhaps the federation will have nothing against purple or poisonous green shades. But for some reason it seems that clothing in the colors of the Russian flag may cause rejection among those in charge. There are serious doubts that the relaxation will have any noticeable impact on the readiness of Russian gymnasts to go to international tournaments.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion David Belyavsky stated that he was preparing for the Friendship Games and the BRICS Games. His partner in the gold team, Artur Dalaloyan, said that he did not want to make it to the competition “like a beggar.” The Averina sisters supported Irina Viner’s position and said that they were no longer going to perform in a neutral status.
And it is unlikely that the opportunity to compete in a multi-colored uniform will somehow influence the decision of these athletes. Moreover, most of our champions, given their attitude to the power structures, are still not welcome at international competitions.
2023-12-23 11:35:31
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