Olympic champion Angelina Melnikova says that the final decision on Russian gymnasts competing at the Paris Games will rest with the sport federation. The athlete noted that Sports24 is monitoring developments and that she is focused on her own preparation for the Games.
Melnikova is clear about her personal mindset. She is training with Paris as a target, but she also acknowledges the harsh realities facing Russian athletes in light of current policies and international rules. She emphasizes that her dream remains to reach the Olympics, even as the ultimate call about participation will come from the federation after applying all the relevant criteria.
Her message is that a collective determination is likely to be reached rather than a decision left to individual athletes. She remarked that she cannot foresee every athlete’s rights to make a personal choice in this context. The federation will weigh the criteria established by the International Olympic Committee and make a decision that reflects the broader framework in place for Russian competitors. The path ahead is uncertain, and she indicated that results may be announced later, with many factors still in play.
Meanwhile, on November 10, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) outlined the terms for Russians to participate in international events. Under the proposed rules, athletes wishing to compete under FIG would need to submit a paid application, after which the federation would determine eligibility within 30 days. The process has been presented as a formal gatekeeping step in which teams and athletes must meet defined standards before any events can be sanctioned.
Beyond the administrative requirements, there are policy prescriptions regarding national symbols and affiliations. Specifically, gymnasts would be expected not to display any public associations with Russia’s security services or show public support for military actions. If the rules are adopted, athletes would also be restricted from depicting national markers in competitive settings, aligning with broad international expectations around neutrality and safety in sport during sensitive periods.
Earlier remarks from members of Russia’s State Duma echoed the discussion about Olympic participation, highlighting the ongoing political dimension shaping the decisions on whether Russian athletes can compete on the world stage. The confluence of federation governance, IOC criteria, and international sport-wide sanctions creates a complex landscape that directly affects athlete opportunities in the Paris cycle and beyond.
In the Canadian and American sporting context, observers emphasize the importance of fair access to competition while maintaining compliance with international rules. Athletes and national programs in North America typically view such developments through the lens of governance clarity, transparent processes, and equitable treatment across all eligible competitors. The evolving rules require careful interpretation by coaches, athletes, and national federations to ensure readiness for Paris, regardless of each athlete’s personal position on the broader geopolitical environment.
Ultimately, Melnikova’s stance reflects a desire to stay in peak form and remain prepared for Olympic competition, while recognizing that the final decision rests with the federation and compliant with IOC standards. The overall atmosphere underlines how sport remains a space where performance and policy intersect, and where athletes navigate a landscape shaped by international bodies, national associations, and geopolitical realities. For fans and analysts, the ongoing dialogue offers a glimpse into how elite gymnasts balance ambition with the season’s governing rules and schedule, as they pursue the possibility of representing their country on the world’s biggest stage.[citation needed]