The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) announced on Wednesday that Russian and Belarusian gymnasts will be allowed to compete as "individual neutral athletes" in events organised by the governing body, starting from January next year. However, they must not be associated with their respective countries' gymnastics federations, national federations, and Olympic committees.
This decision comes exactly a year after the FIG imposed a ban on athletes from both Russia and Belarus, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It is important to note that Belarus had been used as a staging area for this invasion, which Moscow refers to as a "special military operation."
With the latest ruling by the FIG Executive Committee (EC), gymnasts from Russia and Belarus will be eligible to participate in qualifying competitions for the upcoming Paris Olympics in 2024. However, their eligibility for the Games itself will be determined by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), as clarified by the FIG.
The process for gymnasts seeking the status of "individual neutral athlete" involves applying to the FIG under specific ad-hoc rules. If granted this status, the athletes will be allowed to participate in FIG-sanctioned events starting from January 1, 2024.
FIG president Morinari Watanabe emphasised that the decision to accept Russian and Belarusian gymnasts as independent neutral athletes demonstrates the organisation's commitment to upholding the rights of all athletes and sends a message to the world that gymnastics advocates for peace.
Earlier this year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued recommendations, proposing that athletes from Russia and Belarus should be permitted to compete as neutrals, provided they have no affiliations with their respective nations' militaries.
(With inputs from Reuters)
