FIG releases criteria for individual participation in FIG competitions

 From 1st January next year Russians and Belarussians will be eligible to compete in FIG competitions, subject  to extensive conditions.  You can read the conditions in full here, 

The rules are strict and rigorous.  If a gymnast has a connection to the military or to any state organisation, they can't compete - this rules out such gymnasts as Viktoria Listunova, whose club CSKA is a sporting branch of the Russian army.  

Any act of support for the war or implication of support for Russia in their War against Ukraine will rule the gymnast out of competition.  This rule counts back to the very beginning of the conflict.  Any hint of support for the war or Russian state at any time will rule out the gymnast.  The gymnasts and their coaches cannot make negative comments about other competitors, or about the organisation of competitions.

The rules apply to doctors, coaches, physios and heads of delegations.  Valentina Rodionenko has already ruled herself out of travelling to any competitions because of her derogatory comments about Simone Biles and the quality of the last World Championships.

The gymnasts must apply for neutral status using the form supplied by the FIG to the Federation and the application must be submitted no less than 60 days before the competition.  It will take around 30 days for the FIG to issue their decision on the gymnast's participation.  

The gymnasts will be registered for the competition under the acronym AIN (in French, Athlete Individuel Neutre) and no reference to Russia will be made in any of their performances and in attire.  Flags will be a solid pale blue, as will leotards, attire and apparel.  There can be no reference, indirect or otherwise, in the composition of the routines or in the music, to the cultural or military heritage of Russia or Belarus.  

As if all this weren't daunting enough, the Russian establishment has now turned hostile to these conditions, suggesting that Russians are being forced to beg 'on bended knees' to be allowed to compete in pale blue without a suggestion of their mother country's identity anywhere.  See my next blog post for more details.