The Disciplinary Commission of GEF Dismisses Irina Viner from International Competition for Two Years
The Disciplinary Commission of the Foundation for Gymnastics Ethics announced a two-year ban on Irina Viner, the head of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation and the chief coach of the Russian national team, from participating in international competitions.
The measure references the events of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, where the Russian rhythmic gymnasts faced notable outcomes. In the individual category, Dina Averina did not win gold, dropping behind Lina Ashram of Israel in a competition that featured a ribbon mistake by the Russian athlete. In the group events, the Russian team also failed to secure gold, losing both the semifinal and the final to Bulgaria. These outcomes marked the first time since the 1996 Atlanta Games that Russia did not win medals in both individual and team events in rhythmic gymnastics. Since then, Russian athletes such as Yulia Barsukova, Alina Kabaeva, Evgenia Kanaeva, and Margarita Mamun had regularly claimed titles in the individual events, while Natalia Lavrova, Elena Posevina and Anastasia Bliznyuk had repeatedly won in group events.
Ahead of Tokyo, Russian competitors were widely favored, and the competition itself carried substantial significance for the sport. Viner publicly criticized refereeing decisions, arguing that her athletes were not receiving deserved wins. She remarked that the team final appeared controversial, noting that a Bulgarian team error had placed Russia behind and suggesting sabotage as a possibility. Such statements were made after the defeats of the Averin siblings and prior to the group final.
Viner also condemned judging in the personal event, including an error by Ashram involving the ribbon. Following her comments on officiating, the International Gymnastics Federation found these remarks to violate its rules. Russia later filed protests concerning both the individual and group competitions, but those appeals were denied.
Another factor cited in the disciplinary action involved Natalya Kuzmina, a Russian official who was not re-elected to the FIG technical committee in 2021. The Russian side withdrew a candidacy it had submitted for an arbitrator and filed a complaint with an independent ethics body. The disciplinary body attributed the Russian gymnasts’ losses in part to the statements and positions associated with Viner and to the decisions related to Kuzmina, who served during the Olympic Games.
The suspension will take effect only after sanctions on the Russian team are lifted, since Russia is currently barred from international competition due to the ongoing Ukraine crisis. If the sanctions remain in place for the next five years, the suspension will be considered enacted. The FIG stated that Viner is prohibited from competing internationally or receiving accreditation in any capacity at FIG events for the two-year period. The countdown begins once FIG assurances about the Ukraine situation are lifted, or after five years at most, if such assurances are not provided in time.
The Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation is evaluating an appeal. It retains the right to challenge the decision within 21 days. A WFHG source indicated that the federation is examining the potential for an appeal, depending on Irina Alexandrovna’s position. A veteran critic noted that strong voices often face backlash when standing up for their beliefs, describing a climate of hostility towards outspoken figures within the sport.
Observers have underscored that the broader dynamics of the sport involve complex power relations and public scrutiny. The discussion has extended beyond the Tokyo results to the way leadership, governance, and accountability shape the next generation of athletes. The episode has sparked debate about how national programs respond to disappointments at major events and how officials are held to account for strategic decisions and public statements. The episode and its repercussions will likely influence the trajectory of Russian rhythmic gymnastics in the coming years, and may invite further discussion on governance and ethics in the sport, both inside Russia and on the international stage. For readers seeking a complete view, this summary reflects the positions reported by official bodies and the subsequent responses from involved parties and observers.