Russian rhythmic gymnastics has become the focus of a heated debate after an open letter circulated among athletes and coaches calling for the disqualification of Irina Viner to be lifted. Viner serves as president of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation and leads the national team, a role that places her at the center of national sport governance and coaching excellence. The letter itself appeared on the news site RIA News, reflecting the strong emotions and high stakes involved in governance decisions within the sport.
The authors argue that extending the suspension of Ms. Viner would seriously affect rhythmic gymnastics at a time when the sport is striving to maintain momentum and visibility on the Olympic stage. They credit her with contributing to growth and development in the discipline, emphasizing that leadership and long-term vision have helped many athletes reach new levels of performance. The letter asks officials to pursue restorative action and to reconsider the two-year penalty that has been imposed in relation to public remarks made following the Tokyo Olympic Games, where the Russian team did not secure a gold medal.
According to the letter, Ms. Viner has long stood at the forefront of the sport, balancing duties as a coach, a senior administrator, and a representative of the federation in the international arena. The writers suggest that her record of achievements, influence, and commitment to Russian rhythmic gymnastics warrants a careful review of the sanction, and they call for a process that would restore justice and reestablish her full participation in responsibilities tied to the discipline.
Under the current framework, Viner is barred from taking part in international competitions organized under the auspices of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). The prohibition covers roles ranging from coach to head of delegation and any other official capacity within FIG-sanctioned events. The timing of these sanctions is linked to the lifting of the broader ban on Russian athletes from international events, a measure that has influenced the scheduling and participation of teams across the sport. The suspension will take effect the day after that broader prohibition is lifted, aligning with a period of ongoing adjustments to eligibility and participation rules on the international stage.
To understand the context, it is important to recall that FIG made a sweeping decision on March 4, 2022, to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in FIG events starting March 7, in response to the evolving situation in Ukraine. The impact of that policy was felt across competitions, with disruptions affecting major events, including the European Championships that year, where athletes from the region were unable to participate. The consequences extended beyond a single event, shaping the broader environment in which coaches, athletes, and federations operate during this period of geopolitical and sporting realignment.
The exchange surrounding Ms. Viner’s status has drawn attention from many within the rhythmic gymnastics community, with some former supporters weighing in on the implications of a prolonged absence from international competition for a coach who has guided training programs and competition strategies for years. The discussions emphasize not only the administrative and regulatory dimensions of the case but also the personal and professional commitments that drive leaders in the sport to seek fair treatment and clarity in how sanctions are applied and lifted. As the situation develops, parties involved in the sport continue to examine the balance between accountability, discipline, and the overarching goals of Olympic-level performance and national representation in rhythmic gymnastics. The focus remains on ensuring that governance decisions reflect both the standards of the sport and the broader values that the gymnastics community seeks to uphold during challenging times. This ongoing discourse echoes across committees, national federations, and the athletes who aspire to compete with integrity and excellence on the world stage. Formerly Irina Viner publicly addressed the disqualification, highlighting the tension between leadership responsibilities and the rules that govern international competition and coaching roles in rhythmic gymnastics.