World Gymnastics has removed all restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes in the sport’s most significant policy change since the bans were imposed in 2022.

The decision was announced at the meeting of the Executive Committee, which took place in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt, on 16 and 17 May.

The announcement could have broad implications for future international gymnastics events, as Russian and Belarusian athletes are now eligible to return to normal competition under federation regulations.

"The EC has decided to lift all restrictions applicable to Russian and Belarusian athletes since February 2022, with immediate effect," the statement read on the bulletin. "The FIG ad hoc rules are therefore no longer in force."

Traditionally, Russia is one of the strongest countries in artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, and trampolining. Their reduced presence at the last Olympic cycle has shifted the balance of power in multiple disciplines.

The move now opens the door for many high-profile athletes from both countries to return to international competition ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.

Russian gymnasts and Olympic gold medalists such as Angelina Melnikova, Viktoria Listunova, Vladislava Urazova, and Nikita Nagorny will finally be able to compete without sanctions.

Among them, Melnikova appeared as a neutral athlete at the 2025 IIHF World Championships. Listunova, however, remained banned and had her AIN request denied by World Gymnastics earlier this year. With the latest announcement, these roadblocks have been removed.

World Gymnastics offered no details on eligibility during the transition or when athletes would be able to compete. But the blanket lifting of the restrictions is a significant policy shift.

The committee meeting also made other important decisions that will impact the sport's future.

They approved proposed revisions to numerous technical and judging regulations that will affect the 2025-2028 cycle. Changes to the technical rules, judges’ rules, rules governing apparatus, and disciplinary codes are covered.

World Gymnastics said the approved updates will be officially published in the coming months.

World Gymnastics Also Announces New Working Group and Nationality Changes

In addition to removing sanctions on Russian and Belarusian athletes, the creation of the “Aerobic Wellness & Movement” was also ratified.

The federation also looked at proposals from several commissions, including anti-doping, medical, and mental health.

Another important development was the approval of several changes of nationality in various disciplines of gymnastics.

Men’s artistic gymnast Yasir Amjad El Sakka (Palestine to Canada) and Adam Lakomy (USA to the Czech Republic) had their requests approved.

The committee also approved nationality changes for acrobatic gymnastics athlete Léonie Ouvrier and women’s artistic gymnastics judge Silvia Santiago.

Finally, the Jamaican Gymnastics Federation was chosen to host the 2027 Executive Committee meeting for developing national federations.

Read more at the Gymnastics Digest!

Written by

Chitrak Mukherjee

Edited by

Sijo Paul