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Majority of Russian bodybuilders declined visas for 2025 European Championship in Spain

"Only 10% of the initially confirmed roster will travel to Spain," spokesman for the Russian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation said

MOSCOW, April 23. /TASS/. Only 10% of the originally approved roster of the Russian national bodybuilding team will be able to compete at the 2025 IFBB European Championship in Spain after the Spanish Embassy in Russia declined to issue entry visas, a spokesman for the Russian Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (RBFF) told TASS on Wednesday.

"Our national team, which has 200 athletes on the roster, was set to participate in the European Championship in Spain," the spokesman said. "However, the Spanish Embassy declined entry visas to the majority of our athletes, despite an official invitation from the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation [IFBB], letters of support from the Mayor of Santa Susanna and from the Russian Foreign Ministry with the direct involvement of the Russian Ministry of Sports."

"Only 10% of the initially confirmed roster will travel to Spain. Meaning 20 athletes who have valid Schengen visas and those who received them earlier as tourists," he added.

On February 24, Russian athletes received an official invitation from the IFBB to take part in the 2025 IFBB European Championship in Spain. The international federation later confirmed that Russian athletes would be allowed to compete under the national flag and to the tune of their country’s anthem in line with the international federation’s ruling from July 8, 2024.

On February 25, the RBBF’s press office announced that: "The roster has been submitted to the IFBB, which has now issued invitations for the entire Russian delegation to proceed with visa arrangements for Spain."

The 2025 IFBB European Championship will be held from April 30 to May 5 in the Spanish city of Santa Susanna.

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