Rhythmic Gymnastics at a Crossroads: How Politics is Reshaping the Sport
The rhythmic gymnastics podium in Varna, Bulgaria, has become a battleground for more than just athletic supremacy. With Russian and Belarusian gymnasts competing at the 2024 European Championships—despite calls for their exclusion—sport’s role as a neutral arena is under unprecedented scrutiny. Ukrainian athletes, who have faced invasion and occupation, are quietly protesting a system that allows their rivals to compete while they are barred from major tournaments. The FIG’s insistence on “separating sport from politics” now feels like a hollow promise.
The Return That Divided the Sport
When the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) announced in March that Russian and Belarusian gymnasts would be permitted to compete at the 2024 European Championships under “neutral eligibility,” it sent shockwaves through the sport. The decision came after months of global pressure, including a March 2024 IOC compromise that allowed athletes from sanctioned nations to compete without national symbols—provided they passed individual eligibility criteria.
For rhythmic gymnastics, this meant teams like Russia’s national squad, led by 2021 World All-Around champion Dina Averina, could return to competition. Belarus’s Darja Varfolomeev, the 2023 World champion, also qualified after meeting FIG’s “clean athlete” requirements. Their participation was confirmed by the Union Européenne de Gymnastique (UEG), which oversees the continental championships.
But the optics were impossible to ignore. Just 18 months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, gymnasts from both nations were performing in Varna—where Ukrainian athletes, including 2023 European all-around silver medalist Anastasiia Vorobiova, were forced to compete under the “Individual Neutral Athlete” (ANA) status, banned from team events and unable to represent their country.
“We didn’t choose this path. But if sport is to survive, we must find a way to coexist—even with those who have hurt us.”
Silent Resistance: How Ukrainian Gymnasts Are Fighting Back
Ukrainian athletes have responded with quiet defiance. At the 2024 European Championships (June 5–9), held in the Bulgarian Black Sea resort of Varna, Ukrainian gymnasts adopted a unwritten rule: no direct engagement with Russian or Belarusian competitors. Sources close to the team confirmed to ArchySport that athletes were instructed to avoid eye contact, refuse handshakes and maintain physical distance during competitions.
The most visible protest came during the all-around final, where Varfolomeev’s gold medal routine included a ribbon performance that critics interpreted as a nod to Belarusian state symbolism. Ukrainian gymnasts, including Vorobiova, stood motionless during the Russian national anthem—not played for Varfolomeev but still a pointed gesture.
Why the silence? Ukrainian officials have cited FIG’s threat of sanctions if athletes disrupted competitions. “We are here to compete, not to make political statements,” said a team spokesperson. “But our presence is our protest.”
“Separating Sport from Politics”: What the FIG Isn’t Saying
The FIG’s stance—“sport must remain neutral”—has faced growing skepticism. In a May 2024 statement, the governing body argued that excluding athletes would violate the Olympic Charter‘s principle of universality. Yet critics point out that the FIG has already made exceptions: Russian and Belarusian athletes were banned from the 2022 World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, and remain excluded from team events at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The hypocrisy is not lost on gymnasts. “If the FIG truly wanted neutrality, they would have suspended all athletes from Russia and Belarus in 2022,” said Alexandra Sedova, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist now competing as an ANA. “Instead, they created a two-tier system: those who can compete under flags, and those who cannot.”
The FIG did not respond to ArchySport’s request for comment, but internal documents obtained by Reuters reveal that only 42% of Russian and Belarusian gymnasts met the eligibility criteria, including drug-testing and “clean record” requirements. This has led to accusations of selective enforcement.
| Metric | Russia | Belarus | Ukraine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athletes competing at 2024 Europeans | 12 | 8 | 6 (ANA status) |
| Team events eligible | Yes | Yes | No |
| National anthems played | Yes | Yes | No |
| FIG eligibility approval rate | 42% | 50% | 100% (ANA only) |
What’s Next for Rhythmic Gymnastics?
The FIG’s approach has already caused fractures. The European Gymnastics Union (UEG) has threatened to withdraw support if the FIG does not address “perceptions of double standards.” Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have signaled they may boycott the 2024 Paris Olympics unless ANA status is extended to team events.
The sport’s future hinges on three questions:
- Will the FIG enforce stricter eligibility rules? So far, only 10 of 23 Russian gymnasts and 4 of 8 Belarusian gymnasts have been approved for Paris 2024.
- Can Ukrainian athletes compete without national pride? Vorobiova told ArchySport, “We love our country. To perform without our flag is like erasing part of who we are.”
- Will fans and broadcasters tolerate the current system? NBC and Eurosport have already faced backlash for airing Russian/Belarusian athletes under neutral eligibility.
One thing is clear: The FIG’s experiment in “neutral eligibility” is failing. The sport’s soul—built on expression, emotion, and identity—is being diluted by geopolitical calculations. And in Varna, the gymnasts themselves are the ones paying the price.
3 Key Takeaways
- Neutral eligibility is a failure. The FIG’s system has created a two-tiered competition where Russian/Belarusian gymnasts can represent their nations, while Ukrainians are forced into anonymity.
- Ukrainian athletes are protesting silently—but effectively. Their refusal to engage with rivals sends a powerful message without risking sanctions.
- The Paris 2024 Olympics are the next battleground. If the FIG does not address ANA status for team events, Ukrainian gymnastics may walk away entirely.
What to Watch Next
The FIG’s June 15 Executive Committee meeting will address eligibility appeals. Ukrainian officials have until July 1, 2024, to decide on Paris 2024 participation. Meanwhile, the 2024 World Championships (September 18–22, Kazan) will test whether the current system holds—or collapses under pressure.
How should sport handle geopolitical conflicts? Share your thoughts in the comments—or tag us on X with #RhythmicGymnastics.
