Irina Viner, president of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, weighed in on the speculation about whether Russian athletes might compete at the 2023 Asian Games. Sport Express reported her remarks, which emphasized uncertainty about the teams and selection criteria ahead of the event.
Viner stated that there were no concrete details at that moment about the athletes’ status, the selection process, or the potential Olympic implications if these athletes were chosen. Her cautious tone underscored that any participation would depend on formal decisions that had not yet been made, and she expressed skepticism about the likelihood of Russia taking part in the Games under the current circumstances.
The Asian Games were scheduled to run from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, China. Insidethegames had previously noted on July 8 that plans were under discussion for including Russian and Belarusian competitors in the competition, a development that would require approval from the relevant international sports authorities and the organizing committee.
In early 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued guidance asking international federations to restrict Russian and Belarusian athletes from most competitions. Later, at an IOC executive committee meeting held on March 28, it was suggested that Russian athletes could be permitted to participate under a neutral status, provided they were not actively supporting hostilities or engaging in any actions that could be deemed assistance to those hostilities. This framework aimed to balance the desire to preserve athlete participation with broader geopolitical concerns, a line many national federations were monitoring closely.
Throughout this period, several foreign ministries and government officials voiced fatigue over the ongoing discrimination allegations directed at Russian athletes, calling for more consistency in how athletes are treated across disciplines. The situation remained delicate, with many stakeholders weighing competitive opportunities against political sensitivities and the evolving rules set by international sports bodies. Observers noted that any decision would likely hinge on continued diplomatic negotiations, the status of neutrality provisions, and the evolving stance of international federations responsible for sport governance.