World Gymnastics expressed regret over the refusal of visas for Russians at the World Cup

The International Gymnastics Federation (World Gymnastics) expressed regret over the refusal of the Dutch authorities to issue visas to the three leaders of the Russian national team to participate in the World Cup in Rotterdam, the organization said on its website.

On October 13, the Netherlands refused visas for the World Cup in Rotterdam to the three leaders of the national team - Angelina Melnikova, Victoria Listunova and Anna Kalmykova, pointing as a reason a threat to international relations.

“World Gymnastics regrets the negative impact on the preparation of the Russian delegation and the confusion in the sports community associated with the World Gymnastics Championship,” the statement said.

However, World Gymnastics stressed that the issuance of visas is a process that is determined exclusively by the Dutch authorities: “World Gymnastics cannot explain why some applications were refused. World Gymnastics continues its dialogue with the Dutch authorities, the local organizing committee and the Russian Gymnastics Federation.

This is not the first refusal of visas for Russian gymnasts. In August, nine of the 65 members of the Russian delegation, including Melnikova, were denied visas to Croatia. But later the decision was revised: Melnikova, Kalmykova, Leyla Vasilyeva and Alexei Usachev were issued visas, and they were able to perform at the tournament.

Melnikova and Listunova became Olympic champions of Tokyo in the team tournament. Kalmykova at the European Championships in Zagreb took silver in the all-around.

The World Cup will be held in Rotterdam from 17 to 25 October. The tournament will be played tickets to the Olympic Games 2028 in Los Angeles. The three best men's and three best women's teams will receive Olympic quotas.