Sports law expert Emir Crown reported that Elvira Saadi, a two-time Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics with the Soviet national team during the 1970s, received a lifetime disqualification in Canada related to national championships status.
Saadi was banned from practicing artistic gymnastics in Canada for ten years. She will be eligible to coach again after ten years, but she may not have any contact with athletes during that period. Saadi’s disqualification extends to her roles as a judge, administrator, and coach for life.
Saadi has resided in Canada since 1991. The decision to impose the ban was issued by Gymnastics Canada following disciplinary proceedings.
The lifetime sanction arises from Saadi’s use of violence against athletes on the Canadian national team, leading to a federation-wide review of associated conduct, safeguarding policies, and the protection of athletes in training environments.
Saadi was born in Tashkent in 1952 and is recognized as an Honored Master of Sports of the USSR. After competing in the 1976 Olympics, she worked as a coach at Moscow Dynamo Youth Sports School, contributing to the development of young talent in the sport.
The case also touches on the broader issue of how governing bodies handle violations by former elite athletes who transition into coaching or administrative roles and the ongoing commitment to athlete safety and ethical standards in national programs.
In a related note, a former hockey player faced a separate case with a disciplinary finding for gambling rule violations, resulting in a temporary ineligibility for 41 matches. This incident underscores the different sets of rules and consequences across sports jurisdictions and the importance of consistent governance and integrity in all competitive environments.