Three prominent Russian gymnasts, including two-time world all-around champion Angelina Melnikova, have been denied visas to participate in the 2026 World Gymnastics Championships, scheduled for October in Rotterdam. Alongside Melnikova, Olympic team champion Viktoria Listunova and European all-around silver medalist Anna Kalmykova are also barred from entering the Netherlands to compete in this pivotal event.
This championship carries significant weight as it serves as an early qualifying event for team placements at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The visa denials threaten to jeopardize Russia’s chances of securing important quota spots for the Olympic team competition, raising concerns within the gymnastics community about the broader implications for Russian athletes.
World Gymnastics Addresses Visa Controversy
In response to the situation, World Gymnastics expressed regret over the negative consequences faced by the Russian delegation. The organization clarified that visa issuance is beyond its jurisdiction and emphasized ongoing efforts to engage with Dutch authorities and the Russian Gymnastics Federation in hopes of resolving the issue.
Meanwhile, Russia’s sports minister Mikhail Degtyaryov has urged for the competition to lose its status as an Olympic qualifying event. The Russian Gymnastics Federation condemned the visa refusals, describing them as a deliberate attempt to exclude some of the strongest Russian gymnasts from contention. The federation has indicated intentions to pursue further action regarding the matter.