Russian rhythmic gymnasts Dina and Arina Averina have officially concluded their competition careers, according to Irina Viner-Usmanova, the president of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, who spoke at the closing ceremony of the Defender of the Fatherland Day celebration. The federation leader expressed a heavy heart, noting that both athletes had shared long years of dedication and achievement with the sport and with their country.
Viner-Usmanova said, with visible emotion, that the news was deeply saddening and that tears were close. She credited the Averinas with guiding Russia to new heights and paving the way for future generations of rhythmic gymnasts, highlighting the impact of their presence on the world stage and within the national program.
Dina Averina has previously earned a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, a result that stood out for breaking a two-decade streak of Russian success in the individual all-around. Arina Averina, while highly decorated, did not secure an Olympic podium in Tokyo, finishing in the final ranking just outside the medals. The sisters’ careers are marked by their distinctive style, technical precision, and relentless pursuit of excellence, which left a lasting imprint on the discipline and inspired many young athletes in Russia and beyond.
Geopolitical developments have affected international competition policies in rhythmic gymnastics. On March 4, 2022, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) prohibited Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing under its banner from March 7 onward, a decision tied to the evolving situation in Ukraine. Those restrictions remained in effect for various events until policy changes gradually allowed certain participants to return to international competition under neutral status. By January 1, 2024, the scope and application of restrictions had evolved, reflecting ongoing debates about eligibility and governance in elite sport. Neutral participation policies were part of broader discussions among international sports bodies during this period.
The International Olympic Committee subsequently moved to permit athletes from Russia to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games under neutral status, a policy that allowed qualified individuals to compete while avoiding direct nation-based symbols or affiliations in their uniforms and team representations. This shift aimed to balance competitive integrity with considerations about the geopolitical climate and athlete welfare. The decision drew a range of responses from national federations, athletes, and observers, sparking continued dialogue about eligibility, representation, and the responsibilities of international sport bodies in response to international events. The evolving policy landscape has shaped athletes’ opportunities to compete at the highest level while navigating the complexities of national affiliation and neutrality on the global stage.
As the sport moves forward, the Averina sisters’ decision to step back from the competitive arena marks a significant moment for rhythmic gymnastics. Their career arc—defined by consistency, extraordinary difficulty, and stylistic innovation—serves as a benchmark for succeeding generations. The gymnastics community in Russia, reinforced by the federation’s leadership, continues to honor their contributions and to channel the momentum they created into ongoing development programs and talent pipelines. While the competitive window may have closed for the Averinas, their influence persists in coaching umbrellas, training curriculums, and the continued pursuit of excellence within the program and across international competitions. This transition highlights how athletes navigate the intersection of personal vocation, national sport systems, and the evolving governance landscape of global athletics (IOC, 2023; FIG, 2022; CAS decision reviews, 2020s).