Russian rhythmic gymnastics remains in the spotlight as head coach Irina Viner discussed the potential return of domestic athletes to the international arena in 2025. Reports indicate that Russians could compete under the International Gymnastics Federation banner at World Cup events in April 2025, with venues in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan known for their hospitality toward Russian teams. Viner emphasized the team’s longing for the stage and performances in cities like Baku and Tashkent, while leaving open the possibility that Russian gymnasts could appear under the FIG umbrella in the 2025 season, according to TASS.
In the broader history of the sport, February 2022 saw the International Olympic Committee urge global federations to bar domestic athletes from competition, a stance reflected in the March 4 decision by the International Gymnastics Federation to suspend Russians and Belarusians from events under its governance starting March 7, 2022, amid the Ukraine crisis. Those sanctions resonated across all gymnastics disciplines and sent a clear signal about eligibility in the near term. Since then, discussions about neutral participation persisted, with North American fans and officials in Canada and the United States tracking any moves toward restoring Russian involvement in major events under a neutral status.
Lala Kramarenko is cited as having been named Russia’s Athlete of the Year in the past, a distinction that underscored her leadership in rhythmic gymnastics and the country’s continued strength in the sport. Her achievements highlighted in Russian sports circles and media helped maintain interest in rhythmic gymnastics during periods of international restriction. The recognition reflects the depth of talent that Russian athletes have contributed to the discipline, even as competition schedules were disrupted by sanctions.
For audiences in Canada and the United States, these developments are watched closely as the sport presses toward a potential reentry. If the Russians appear at global events as neutrals, the competition field could shift, affecting qualification paths, scoring dynamics, and the calendar of world cups and championships. The coming months are likely to reveal how the sport balances competitive fairness with the desire to reunite the global rhythmic gymnastics community. In the process, athletes, coaches, and fans who followed the sport through a challenging period may find new chapters opening in 2025.