The FIG executive board delayed admitting Russian and Belarusian athletes to international events until July, marking a continued process of evaluation and policy alignment.
Vasily Titov, president of the Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation, stated that the decision on athlete admission is still being shaped by an emerging FIG Executive Committee and that the July timeline reflects ongoing deliberations rather than a final ruling.
Earlier, on February 28, 2022, the International Olympic Committee urged sports federations to bar domestic and Belarusian competitors from participation. This advisory set the stage for broader sanctions and tighter restrictions in the wake of escalating tensions surrounding Ukraine.
Subsequently, on March 4, 2022, the International Gymnastics Federation announced a ban on Russians and Belarusians competing under its banner effective March 7. The move was a direct response to the evolving conflict and its impact on the ability to maintain fair and transparent competition within the sport.
In a related development, the IOC later recommended that Russian athletes be permitted to compete under a neutral flag provided they do not publicly support the war. The recommendation also specified that athletes affiliated with law enforcement or armed forces would be barred from competition under these conditions.
In a separate critique, Oleg Matytsin criticized the International Fencing Federation for actions perceived as infringing on the rights of Russian athletes, underscoring ongoing debates about neutrality, eligibility, and the rights of competitors from the region.
[Citation: IOC statements and federation press releases provide the official timelines and rationales for these decisions. See accompanying notes from the IOC and FIG for context and subsequent policy updates.]