We must try to enter Russian gymnasts into competitions if they meet all FIG criteria, said FSGR head Titov

It is necessary to try to enter Russian athletes into competitions if they meet all the admission criteria specified by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), explains Vasily Titov, president of the Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation (FSGR). ).

The FIG presented on Friday the criteria for admitting Russian athletes to international competitions in neutral status, approving the recommendations proposed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The statement said athletes should not have ties to the Russian military or law enforcement, and should not support the SVO. Gymnasts must submit a request for neutral status to the FIG in the prescribed form. The request must be submitted at least sixty days before the registration deadline for the event for which eligibility is sought.

– What to do? Is there any understanding?

— I would like to remind you of the history of this question. In May, the FIG Executive Committee made an admission decision. And our athletes are allowed to participate in international competitions with neutral status. Then the epic began with the development of the conditions of neutrality. And it was only on Friday that we received these conditions. They raise a large number of questions and require study with lawyers to determine whether they are feasible and acceptable. I am convinced that we must do this work.

Second! I am convinced that if we understand that there are athletes who meet these criteria and can compete, we should absolutely try to enter them into these international competitions.

— How long does it take to study documents?

– I don’t think it will take long. We are taking a two-week break. In our country, all gymnastics disciplines are represented by a single federation. I want to talk to my colleagues.

— Will there also be consultations with Wiener?

– Yes of course. Artists are going through a tough situation when it comes to swimsuits. Current conditions deprive girls of the opportunity to perform in traditional swimsuits. Swimsuits must be blue. This, in my opinion, is the theater of the absurd. We need to understand if this can be fought.

I hope we can assert our positions.

— If you can’t fight back, is there a plan of action?

— For now, we will try to make it clear that there are positions that need to be modified. If it works, great. Otherwise, the question arises whether anyone can meet these conditions. This means that no one will go there,” Titov said on the air of the program “There is a topic” on .

In February 2022, the FIG, due to the situation in Ukraine, banned the use of Russian and Belarusian flags and anthems at international tournaments, and in March of the same year it deprived athletes from Russia and Belarus the right to participate in international competitions. . On July 19, the FIG Executive Committee decided to allow Russians and Belarusians to participate in tournaments in neutral status from January 1, 2024.