The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has lifted all restrictions on athletes from Russia and Belarus following a meeting in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The federation announced the decision on Tuesday without providing further reasons or details on implementation. Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began more than four years ago, athletes had only been allowed to compete as neutral individuals without flag or anthem.
Russia’s gymnastics federation welcomed the decision. According to the Russian news agency Tass, the federation stated that its athletes can now compete again under their national flag and anthem. Previously, they had to prove that they and their coaches had no ties to the Russian Federation or Belarus.
The move is part of a series of relaxations. In mid-April, the swimming federation World Aquatics already allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to return under their own flag. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also lifted sanctions against athletes from Belarus in early May, but restrictions against Russia remained in place.
Belarus supports Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine. The lifting of sanctions by the gymnastics federation has drawn criticism in Germany. The German Gymnastics Federation had previously spoken out against the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes under national symbols.
