Russian gymnasts still without visas two days before flying to world championships
In short
Members of Russia's artistic gymnastics team had not received visas for the World Championships in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, two days before their planned departure, the Gymnastics Federation of Russia said on 9 October. The championships run from 17 to 25 October and award team places for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The federation said it had told World Gymnastics and was working on the issue with Russia's Foreign Ministry and World Gymnastics president Morinari Watanabe.
Read the full story 2 min read
Members of Russia's artistic gymnastics team had not received visas for the World Championships in the Netherlands two days before their planned departure, the Gymnastics Federation of Russia said on 9 October, according to RIA Novosti and Vedomosti. TASS, Interfax, Kommersant and RBC also reported that the team's participation was at risk because of the visa problem. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
In its statement, the federation said all Russian gymnasts had passed sporting selection and were on World Gymnastics' official entry lists. It said the athletes submitted full sets of documents to the visa centre between 30 September and 5 October, immediately after receiving invitations, and that as of 9 October there was no information on when visas would be issued. The team is due to fly out on the night of 11 to 12 October, official training starts on 13 October and men's podium training on 14 October. "Further delay in issuing visas may prevent Russian gymnasts from arriving on time for the start of preparation at the competition venue," the federation said. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
The federation said it had notified World Gymnastics and was working to resolve the visa issue together with Russia's Foreign Ministry and World Gymnastics president Morinari Watanabe. RBC reported that the federation said the Dutch authorities were putting at risk the Russian team's participation in qualification for the 2028 Olympics. Former Russian team senior coach Valentina Rodionenko (Валентина Родионенко) told RIA Novosti that 9 October was the embassy's last working day before the team's departure. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
The championships take place in Rotterdam from 17 to 25 October and award places for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles; Kommersant and Vedomosti reported that the three best men's and women's teams will qualify. Kommersant listed the final entry as Angelina Melnikova, Viktoria Listunova (Виктория Листунова), Anna Kalmykova (Анна Калмыкова), Lyudmila Roshchina (Людмила Рощина), Alena Glotova (Алена Глотова), Arseny Dukhno (Арсений Духно), Daniel Marinov (Даниел Маринов), Ilya Zaika (Илья Заика), Saveliy Syedin (Савелий Съедин) and Sergei Naidin (Сергей Найдин). RIA Novosti reported the entry as six male and six female gymnasts including reserves. RIA Novosti later reported that Melnikova had spoken about the missing visas. [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
Kommersant recalled that in August the hosts of the European Championships in Croatia refused entry documents to nine members of the Russian team, and four athletes travelled after intervention by Russia's Foreign Ministry and the Croatian Gymnastics Federation. Vedomosti noted that on 18 May the World Gymnastics executive committee allowed Russians to compete internationally with their flag and anthem. [ 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The federation said further delay could stop the gymnasts from arriving in time for preparation at the venue, and the Rotterdam event awards team places for the 2028 Olympics. According to RBC, the federation said the Dutch authorities were putting at risk the team's participation in Olympic qualification.
Key facts
- Russian artistic gymnasts had not received visas for the World Championships in the Netherlands two days before their planned departure. [ 2 , 5 ]
- The championships take place in Rotterdam from 17 to 25 October 2026. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The tournament awards places for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles; the three best men's and women's teams qualify. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The athletes submitted full sets of documents between 30 September and 5 October; as of 9 October there was no information on when visas would be issued. [ 2 , 5 ]
- The team's departure is planned for the night of 11 to 12 October, with official training starting on 13 October. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The Gymnastics Federation of Russia notified World Gymnastics and is working on the issue with Russia's Foreign Ministry and World Gymnastics president Morinari Watanabe. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Russian gymnasts had not received visas for the World Championships in the Netherlands as of 9 October. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]
- The World Championships are held in Rotterdam from 17 to 25 October. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The team's departure is planned for the night of 11 to 12 October. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The federation said further delay could prevent the gymnasts from arriving in time for preparation at the venue. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The federation notified World Gymnastics of the situation. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- When, or whether, the visas will be issued. The federation said that as of 9 October there was no information on the timing.
- The size of the Russian entry. RIA Novosti reported six male and six female gymnasts including reserves, while Kommersant listed ten names in the final entry.
- What Angelina Melnikova said about the missing visas. RIA Novosti published only a headline saying she had spoken about it.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports Russian gymnasts risk missing the World Championships as visas have not been issued. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti publishes the federation's statement on the visa delay. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant reports the federation is working with the Foreign Ministry and Morinari Watanabe. [ 4 ]
- RIA Novosti reports Angelina Melnikova has spoken about the lack of visas. [ 7 ]