The Polish Gymnastics Union (PZG) has reportedly canceled the referee and coaching licenses of Irina Lortkipanidze in connection with her involvement in the rhythmic gymnastics event known as Heavenly Grace. This action was communicated through an official PZG statement and reflects the federation’s stance on preserving the integrity of international competition.
The release makes clear that PZG opposes any moves that would enable Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete again under their own flags in global events. The federation says its position aligns with the International Gymnastics Federation, commonly referred to as FIG, which has also set terms regarding participation by athletes from those nations in international sport.
The international tournament Heavenly Blessing took place in Beijing from December 15 to 17, drawing participants from 19 countries. The event has grown into a distinctive circuit for rhythmic gymnastics, established under guidelines created by the Heavenly Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Clubs Association since 2021. The competition emphasizes a unique rule set that aims to showcase specific techniques, formats, and scoring used within this international community.
Earlier, the FIG announced that starting January 1, 2024, athletes from Russia and Belarus would be admitted to its events under a neutral status rather than under a national flag. This shift marked a significant change in how participation is categorized and monitored by the sport’s global governing body, with ongoing implications for athletes, federations, and competition calendars.
In a different domain of sport, a separate incident from July involved a Ukrainian woman who declined to shake hands with a Russian chess player, an act noticed by observers as symbolic of the ongoing tensions that can accompany international competition. This moment was reported in various outlets and underscores how gestures and actions within sports can provoke broader discussions about sportsmanship, geopolitics, and the role of governing bodies in setting expectations for participants across borders.