TOPSHOT – Russia’s Liliia Akhaimova, Russia’s Vladislava Urazova and Russia’s Angelina Melnikova react during the artistic gymnastics women’s team final during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Centre in Tokyo on July 27, 2021. (Photo by Loic VENANCE / AFP) (Photo by LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images)
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The European Gymnastics General Assembly has approved the return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to European gymnastics competition, effective Jan 1, 2026.
The decision was made official following a vote held at the 2025 European Gymnastics Congress in Prague on Friday, November 28. Of the 46 participating countries, 27 voted to approve the lifting of the ‘blanket ban,’ while 15 countries voted against the measure and four abstained.
The ruling reportedly applies to all five sports under European Gymnastics’ jurisdiction: artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline gymnastics, acrobatic gymnastics, and aerobic gymnastics.
The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) initially banned Russian and Belarusian athletes from sanctioned events due to Russia’s war in Ukraine. A year later, the FIG lifted the total ban, permitting athletes to compete Authorized Individual Neutral athletes (AIN).
At the time, European Gymnastics voted to maintain the ban at the continential level, barring athletes from crucial Olympic qualifying opportunities. Thus, Friday’s decision opens doors for Russia and Belarus’ paths to LA 2028.
Olympic Implications for Russia and Belarus
The decision is consequential, as it now provides a path for Russian and Belarusian athletes to qualify for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Prior to this week’s ruling, authorized athletes from the respective nations could compete in world championships as neutral athletes but remained barred from competing at the European Championships.
The European Championships provide key Olympic qualifying opportunities for athletes and European delegations. The Belarusian Gymnastics Association referred to this now-voided discrepancy as an “absurd situation,” but reacted positively to this week’s ruling.
“This decision is the result of consistent and competent work by the leadership of the Belarusian Gymnastics Association,” the BGA added.
As of the upcoming new year, Russia and Belarus will be able mount team delegations comprised of Authorized Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN). These AIN teams can contend for European, world championship, and Olympic team events. As authorized neutral teams, the delegations will compete under the AIN designation, meaning any national symbols, flags, or ceremony music will be prohibited.
Select athletes weathered scrutiny due to their inclusion as neutral athletes, with 2025 World Champion Angelina Melnikova facing backlash due to her numerous political ties. Nonetheless, Melnikova and her Russian teammates will return to international team competition next year, for the first time since 2021.
In 2021, they won Olympic gold in both the men’s and women’s team competitions.