Russian gymnasts face visa controversy at World Championships in Rotterdam

The World Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam have been marked by controversy after Dutch authorities denied visas to several top Russian athletes. Among those unable to compete are reigning all-around world champion Angelina Melnikova, Anna Kalmykova, and Olympic team gold medalist Viktoria Listunova.

While the Russian men's team has arrived and performed well, competing under the neutral designation ‘World Gymnastics 2’, the absence of the women's stars has drawn sharp criticism. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov characterized the visa denials as attempts by individual countries to influence competition outcomes by excluding top-tier athletes.

The championships serve as an initial qualification event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, making the participation of these elite gymnasts highly significant for future rankings.