Rodionenko said that Russian gymnasts will not go to the Olympics without a flag
The head coach of the Russian artistic gymnastics team, Valentina Rodionenko, spoke about the attitude of athletes to performing at the Olympic Games in a neutral status. Her words are quoted by RIA Novosti.
“Why should the president of the federation convince anyone if the athlete himself does not even think about riding under a neutral flag. In our sport, we know that there are no such people,” she said. Rodionenko noted that perhaps gymnasts who are not members of the national team will perform at tournaments without national symbols.
On September 17, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) granted Russia three places each in men’s and women’s competitions at the World Cup in 2024. Athletes must compete in the tournament in a neutral status. Russians were denied participation in international competitions in March 2022.
On March 28, the International Olympic Committee recommended that Belarusians and Russians who did not support the special operation in Ukraine be allowed to compete in neutral status. At the same time, athletes associated with the armed forces or security agencies of their countries are recommended to be excluded from participation in competitions.
Source: Lenta
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