Supporters shouted for the team as the arena roared with energy. Irina Viner, the president of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation and the longtime head coach of the national squad, was on air discussing the current climate around Olympic participation. The conversation centered on the IOC’s conditions for athletes to compete internationally, including those aimed at the 2024 Summer Games. The consensus among the Russian rhythmic gymnastics community from the outset was clear: participation at the Olympics would be impossible without addressing those requirements. In her own words, she recalled the team and coaching staff’s stance, noting how deeply the sport is linked to its home crowd and the atmosphere that comes with a packed arena. The phrase repeated was that performing under any banner other than Russia would be unacceptable to the athletes who live and breathe the sport, and who have grown accustomed to the fervent support of their fans.
The International Olympic Committee eventually permitted athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate under neutral status. This decision was framed as a compromise, one that attempted to balance the desire of athletes who have trained for years with the broader geopolitical context surrounding recent events. The neutral designation, however, did not resolve all questions about eligibility, with ongoing discussions about what conditions would govern the return of these competitors to major international events.
On October 16, 2023, a notable development occurred when the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF) Court of Appeal convened to hear Wiener’s appeal challenging a ban imposed on her by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). Earlier in March 2022, the Disciplinary Commission of the GEF had suspended Wiener from FIG-sanctioned events for two years. This legal proceeding underscored the ongoing tensions between federation leadership and disciplinary bodies at the international level, as athletes and coaches navigate the rules that govern competition, conduct, and eligibility.
Meanwhile, in July 2023, the FIG board indicated openness to allowing representatives from Russia and Belarus to compete, provided that they comply with a set of rules that had not yet been published. That decision signaled a potential path for athletes seeking to re-enter the global stage while meeting governance expectations. The exact framework remained under wraps at the time, leaving teams to interpret how best to align with the federation’s standards while preparing for the possibility of future events.
As the situation evolved, there was also public discussion about the broader strategy for Russia in relation to the Paris Olympics. A former sports minister weighed in on whether a broader boycott would be advisable, illustrating how political considerations increasingly intersect with athletic competition. This broader debate reflected the wider context in which gymnasts, coaches, and national sports bodies must operate as they balance performance goals with compliance and national expectations.