Less than a week before the world gymnastics championships begin, Russia is still waiting for its visas needed to enter the Netherlands.
The Russians were supposed to leave for Rotterdam, the Netherlands, this weekend. But they pushed their departure back because they have not received visas from the Dutch government. The world championships begin Saturday, Oct. 17 with men’s qualifying.
“The dates have shifted slightly,” reigning world all-around champion Angelina Melnikova said Saturday, Oct. 10, on her Telegram channel. “However, there is still plenty of time before the start, and we continue to train.”
Russia faced a similar situation ahead of the European championships in Zagreb, Croatia in August. Nine members of the 65-person delegation, including Melnikova and fellow Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Viktoria Listunova, were initially denied visas. Most eventually received them, though Listunova did not.
The Russian women won the team title at Europeans with the men taking silver, and Melnikova and Anna Kalmykova went 1-2 in the all-around.
The uncertainty over Russia’s visas shows how fraught the issue of its participation remains, more than four years after its athletes were largely banished from international sports in response to its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Though individual, neutral athletes have been allowed to compete since 2024, Russia could not send full teams to events until the International Olympic Committee provisionally lifted its suspension in July.
The gymnastics world championships are the first major international event where the Russians have a full team. Russia sent full teams to the world championships for fencing, modern pentathlon and rhythmic gymnastics this summer, but none of those sports are as prominent as gymnastics.
Even if Russia makes it to Rotterdam, it will not be allowed to wear its flag or colors and will be called “WG2” in deference to the Dutch government, an ally of Ukraine.
These gymnastics world championships are the first opportunity countries have to qualify for LA28, with the top three getting spots at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The Russian women are expected to be the biggest challenge to the U.S. women for the team title, with the Russian men also being a medal contender.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Russian gymnasts still waiting for visas for world championships