Anna Borygina, a member of the Russian Weightlifting Federation’s technical committee, could not attend the European Weightlifting Federation congress after Bulgaria reportedly denied her entry visa. The federation confirmed this through TASS, naming Dmitry Vasilenko as secretary general who spoke on the matter. (Source: TASS)
The EWF congress convened in Sofia on 17 February. In November 2023, the FTAR Executive Committee had decided to send both Maxim Agapitov, the federation’s head, and Anna Borygina to participate in the congress and related meetings. (Source: TASS)
Vasilenko remarked that Anna Borygina was not issued a visa and therefore could not attend the congress. Agapitov added that Bulgarian authorities did not provide an explanation for the visa denial. (Source: TASS)
Agapitov holds the role of first vice president of the European Weightlifting Federation. His long-standing Schengen multivisa enabled him to travel to Bulgaria to join the EWF board activities and contribute to congress deliberations. (Source: TASS)
In late February 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued guidance to international sports federations, recommending that Russian and Belarusian athletes be barred from competition. This stance shaped subsequent discussions on eligibility and neutral participation. (Source: IOC)
During the IOC Executive Committee meeting on 28 March 2023, a proposal suggested allowing Russians to remain in neutral status provided they do not actively support military operations. The decision aimed to balance competitive opportunities with the broader political context. (Source: IOC)
Earlier, there were reports about Romania blocking entry rights in another sport scenario, reflecting ongoing eligibility debates on the international stage. (Source: various)