“The coach defends justice by putting forward counter-demands to the FIG” – gymnast Nagorny about Rodionenko’s remarks about the World Cup

Olympic artistic gymnastics champion Nikita Nagorny told that the senior coach of the Russian national team Valentina Rodionenko defends the interests of the entire team when discussing the refusal to participate in competitions according to the criteria of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

Earlier, Rodionenko told that Russian athletes will not participate in the World Cup until the FIG changes the admission criteria. Previously, the international federation had awarded Russia three men’s and women’s places at the stages of the World Cup in spring 2024 in a neutral status; the winners of the competition will be able to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed in December that qualified Russians will be able to compete at the 2024 Games as neutral athletes.

— How do you assess the latest decision of the IOC on the admission of Russians and Belarusians to neutral status? And will some of our athletes really make it to Paris, given the need to meet admission criteria and undergo checks?

— For a year, I have not reacted at all to news concerning the IOC. And this is probably my first comment in 2023. Everything is changing quickly at the IOC: about six months ago we had the right to go somewhere, we just had to qualify with the federations, a month ago we had to sign papers, two weeks ago it was said that no one would compete anywhere, and now they have announced admission to neutral status under certain conditions.

The IOC leadership shows uncertainty in its actions. There may be external pressure. And now we see it: there is no concrete decision on who will participate in the Games, only assumptions.

Our team will definitely not be able to make it to the Olympics, because this year we were supposed to qualify for the World and European Championships, where we were not allowed. The World Cup stages are also almost over, there is still a small opportunity to compete for places in Paris next year, but there is almost no chance. If the IOC allows everyone, then more than 80% of athletes will not be able to go because their qualifying tournaments have already ended.

— Valentina Rodionenko said that the Russian team will not participate in the stages of the World Cup, where there was a possibility of acquiring Olympic licenses, until the FIG changes the admission conditions…

— She is the head coach of our team, she has extensive experience in interaction with the international federation. The Russian women’s and men’s national teams are the current Olympic champions in team competitions, leaders in world gymnastics and, of course, Valentina Alexandrovna stands for justice for our entire team. All this time we were banned from competing, from fighting for a ticket to the 2024 Games, and now, when such a minimal opportunity has presented itself, they are still trying to limit access as much as possible at these Games. So it is logical that our leader presents counter-demands,” Nagorny told .

On July 19, the FIG Executive Committee decided to allow Russian athletes to participate in international competitions in individual neutral status from January 1, 2024. In November, the federation presented the criteria for admitting Russian athletes to the competitions. Among other things, athletes must not have ties to the military or law enforcement and must not support the SVO.

In February-March 2024, the World Cup stages will be hosted in Cairo, Cottbus, Doha and Baku.

The Olympic Games in the French capital will be held from July 26 to August 11.