The president of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation and the head coach of the national team, Irina Wiener, spoke in a recent interview with Sports24 about the Olympic motto and its relevance to today’s sporting landscape. Wiener questioned the alignment between Pierre de Coubertin’s classic motto for the Games and the realities of modern competition. He emphasized that the spirit of the sport should be judged not just by the standard of global events but also by the depth of talent within a country as large and capable as Russia.
Wiener argued that the Olympic ideal, traditionally summed up as faster, higher, stronger, faces an intrinsic challenge: how can athletes reach those ideals if the strongest competitors are not always present on the Olympic stage? He suggested that Russia, with its vast pool of rhythmic gymnastics talent and rigorous training structures, possesses standards that compare with or exceed those seen at the World Cup and the Olympic Games themselves. In his view, rhythmic gymnastics could thrive and push forward even in the absence of certain Olympic milestones, given the depth of the national program and its ongoing development efforts.
The discussion comes amid a significant legal and organizational episode for Wiener and the broader gymnastics community. On October 16, a hearing took place at the Court of Appeal of the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation regarding Wiener’s appeal against a ban from FIG events. The Disciplinary Commission of the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation had previously suspended Wiener from FIG-sanctioned events for two years in March 2022. The outcome of the appeal remained a focal point for those watching the federation and athletes linked to the national team alike, as questions about governance, ethics, and competition governance continue to echo through the sport.
In July 2023, the executive body of the FIG reviewed participation rules and decided to allow representatives from Russia and Belarus to be involved again, contingent upon meeting certain conditions. The specifics of these conditions were not publicly published at the time, leaving observers and participants to interpret the practical implications for national teams and international events. The decision highlighted the ongoing balancing act in international gymnastics between governance standards, regional participation, and the evolving political context surrounding the sport.
Beyond these high-stakes governance matters, the rhythmic gymnastics community has also seen other notable discussions and statements. For example, coverage from Sports media in related stories has touched on athletes and moments from major events, illustrating how celebrations and competitive milestones can intertwine with broader debates about eligibility, representation, and the influence of leadership on the sport. These conversations reflect a sport that remains deeply rooted in tradition while continually negotiating the pressures and expectations of a global audience. (Citation: Sports24 reporting on Wiener’s interview and subsequent events)