The European Gymnastics federation ratified the participation of Russian athletes with their national flag and anthem at an extraordinary General Assembly on July 28, 2026, aligning its rules with a decision made in May by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to end the neutral-status requirement for competitors from Russia.
The vote means that, as a general rule, sportspeople holding Russian citizenship will compete under the Russian state flag and anthem at events organized by European Gymnastics. The body said the move simply brings its regulations into line with those of FIG, which had already reinstated Russia’s full participation in international gymnastics in May 2026.
Transitional exception
For competitions whose hosting rights were awarded before July 28, 2026, European Gymnastics said a transitional arrangement may apply. It would be used only when the laws or mandatory requirements of the host country’s government prohibit the display of Russian state symbols.
Protests from national federations
The decision was met with opposition from several European gymnastics federations. National bodies in Germany, the United Kingdom and Sweden sent official protest notes to European Gymnastics’ leadership, demanding that the previous restrictions on Russian athletes be kept in place.
