Irina Viner stepped down as president of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, known by the acronym VFKhG. The move was confirmed by Match TV, which cited coverage from the Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation’s reporting and selection conference. The decision marks a major turning point after years of influence over national rhythmic gymnastics policy and the development program aimed at maintaining Russia’s leading position in world competitions. Viner had led the federation for many years, guiding a generation of athletes and overseeing coaching structures, national teams, and technical standards that shaped the sport on the domestic stage and in international rhythms. The conference attendees outlined the transition plan and emphasized continuity in the federation’s strategic direction, ensuring that coaching expertise and athlete preparation would remain robust during the leadership change.
Viner will continue her duties as a line coach within the broader federation, focusing on direct coaching pathways and athlete development. Her enduring role reflects a practical approach to leadership transition, preserving institutional knowledge while inviting fresh ideas from new administrators. In her long tenure since 2008 she helped establish elite training centers, standardized routines, and a pipeline that produced world champions and multiple medallists. The decision allows the federation to maintain stability in coaching staff as rhythmic gymnastics teams prepare for upcoming international events, world championships, and the Olympic cycle. Observers note that while the presidency changes, the commitment to technical excellence and athlete welfare remains central to the federation’s mission.
Viner previously held the post of vice president of the rhythmic gymnastics technical committee at the International Gymnastics Federation, known as FIG. In that capacity she guided the sport’s technical standards and helped prepare many champions for high level competitions. Her work earned her the trust and respect of athletes and coaches alike. Among the gymnasts she collaborated with are Yana Batyrshina, Alina Kabaeva, Yulia Barsukova, Evgenia Kanaeva, Margarita Mamun, Yana Kudryavtseva as well as Dina and Arina Averin. Her experience spans both performance and pedagogy, shaping routines, scoring grids, and the evolution of apparatus handling that characterized rhythmic gymnastics in recent decades.
Discussions at the federation level highlighted plans to unite the Artistic Gymnastics Federation, the Trampoline Jumping Federation, the Sports Acrobatics Federation, the All-Russian Sports Aerobics Federation, and the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation into a single national body called the Russian Gymnastics Federation. At the upcoming meeting set for October 1, the position of chairman of the federation was filled by Oleg Belozerov, the general director and chairman of the board of directors of JSC Russian Railways. He was the sole candidate for the post, chosen to lead a wider reorganization intended to streamline governance, unify resource allocation, and strengthen Russia’s presence in international gymnastics. The decision aims to create a coherent national program that aligns artistic and rhythmic disciplines under a unified leadership while preserving the distinct identities of each sport within the broader federation.
Meanwhile, the sporting world also acknowledged retirement rumors surrounding a legendary figure associated with the Spanish national team. The veteran athlete indicated plans to conclude an illustrious career, closing a chapter that had inspired many gymnasts and fans across the sport. The developments in Russia came as rhythmic and artistic gymnastics communities worldwide monitor how leadership changes and federation restructurings affect coaching, development pipelines, and the competitive landscape on the world stage.