Svetlana Khorkina, a two-time Olympic champion in artistic gymnastics, weighed the stance of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) on allowing Russian athletes to compete in international events. She stressed that the debates around participation should unfold with Russia hosting more events on home soil, pointing to a preference for competitions to be held within Russia. This perspective was reported by Sports Express as a guiding voice in the ongoing dialogue about eligibility and venue policy. [Citation: Sports Express]
Khorkina avoided expressing support for travel to Paris under the current framework, noting that she would not endorse any arrangements that fail to meet her expectations. She indicated that her comments were not a blanket judgment about every possible scenario, comparing the situation to watching water ripple on the surface while deeper currents persisted beneath. She also made clear that she was awaiting formal statements from the national federation before drawing final conclusions. The gymnast emphasized that her views had not changed for a long time, underscoring a cautious and measured approach to participation in events governed by the FIG. [Citation: Federation commentary]
Under the proposed framework, athletes wishing to participate in FIG-sanctioned events would submit a paid application to the federation for review. The administering body would then determine eligibility within a 30-day window. The conditions attached to any approval would include compliance with limits on public association with security forces and avoidance of visible support for military actions. Additionally, athletes would be expected to exhibit a neutral national presentation, refraining from displaying any distinctive national symbols or characteristics during competition. The practical impact of these rules would be to create a careful balancing act for athletes and their teams, ensuring that participation does not become a platform for political display while still enabling competitive opportunities. [Citation: FIG policy summary]
On October 12, 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) until further notice, a move tied to the approval of regional formations within the Russian federation, including the Olympic Councils of the DPR, LPR, and the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. The IOC stated that it retained the right to make a timely decision regarding whether Russian athletes could participate in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, signaling the high stakes involved in aligning national bodies with Olympic governance. This development added a layer of complexity to expectations about Russia’s presence on the world sports stage, with potential repercussions for both athletes and national sport administration. [Citation: IOC press release]
Earlier remarks from Irina Viner, a prominent figure in Russian gymnastics, briefly touched on the FIG’s criteria for admitting Russian participants, framing the discussion in a concise assessment that echoed the broader concerns raised by athletes and administrators. Her comments served as a quick counterpoint to longer-form analyses, reinforcing the notion that policy and eligibility considerations are still being shaped by evolving international guidelines and national federation interpretations. [Citation: Gymnastics federation news]