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Russia withdraws from 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup in Romania

"The organizers informed us verbally that the national flag of the Russian Federation will not be displayed in the arena and the national anthem will not be played in the event of Russian gymnasts’ victories," Linar Ginatullin said

BUCHAREST, June 26. /TASS/. The Russian national rhythmic gymnastics team has decided to withdraw from the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup in the Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca due to serious breaches of competition rules by the organizers, the press office of the Russian Gymnastics Federation (RGF) announced on Friday.

TASS reported earlier that Cluj-Napoca Mayor Emil Boc expressed his disagreement with the return of Russian athletes’ right to compete under the national flag and anthem and stated his intention to prevent any public display of Russia’s national symbols at the Rhythmic Gymnastics Challenge Cup in his city.

"The organizers informed us verbally that the national flag of the Russian Federation will not be displayed in the arena and the national anthem will not be played in the event of Russian gymnasts’ victories," Linar Ginatullin, spokesman for the RGF rhythmic gymnastics department, stated. "This is a direct violation of the May decision of the Executive Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation [World Gymnastics], under which Russian gymnasts were fully reinstated in their rights."

"It also violates the Charter of World Gymnastics and the updated provisions of the Olympic Charter aimed at protecting sport and athletes from any external political, state, social, or economic pressure. Our national team is always ready to compete in tournaments where World Gymnastics requirements are respected," Ginatullin added.

The Russian Gymnastics Federation noted that it will seek strict enforcement of World Gymnastics decisions using all available international legal mechanisms.

The 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup is scheduled to take place in Romania’s Cluj-Napoca between June 26-28 and is an official event on the World Gymnastics calendar.

On May 18, the Executive Committee of World Gymnastics decided to lift previously imposed restrictions on Russian athletes, allowing them to compete internationally under the Russian flag. European Gymnastics later informed TASS of the decision and stated it would decide on lifting restrictions by May 24, eventually following suit.

In December 2025, the IOC Executive Board issued recommendations allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in international competitions under national flags and anthems. The recommendation applied to both individual and team sports. Numerous international sports federations followed the proposal.

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