The key facts

  • Three leading Russian gymnasts denied visas for the World Championships in Rotterdam, the first stage of qualification for the 2028 Olympics.
  • The Dutch justification cited one or more Schengen states considering the athletes a threat to their international relations; the Russian federation will appeal to the IOC.
  • Visas were issued to 47 of 61 members of the Russian delegation.
Netherlands denied visas for the World Championships to three gymnasts from Russia

Russian artistic gymnasts Angelina Melnikova (pictured), Viktoria Listunova and Anna Kalmykova have been denied visas to participate in the World Championships in Rotterdam from October 17 to 25. This championship is the first stage of team qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games.

According to the Russian Gymnastics Federation, the justification from the Dutch authorities stated that one or more Schengen member states consider the athletes a threat to their international relations. The federation added that this concerns a "trio of leading Russian gymnasts."

The federation intends to appeal to the International Olympic Committee asking it to assess the situation. Visas were issued to 47 of the 61 members of the Russian delegation.

Angelina Melnikova is the 2020 Olympic champion in the team all-around and a multiple world and European champion. Viktoria Listunova also has Tokyo Olympic team gold, and in 2021 she won the absolute title at the European Championships. Anna Kalmykova is the 2026 European champion in the team all-around.

Ukrainian authorities had previously sought the suspension of Russian gymnasts. As the Telegram channel "Agentstvo. Novosti" specified, Melnikova was seen with the letter Z on her leotard, and in 2025 the gymnast took part in the United Russia primaries ahead of the Voronezh city duma elections but later withdrew her candidacy. In February 2026, Ukraine imposed personal sanctions against her. In March 2022, Listunova took part in a Moscow rally-concert with Russian President Vladimir Putin and wrote on Instagram about fundraising for the family of a Russian soldier killed in the war.

@dwglavnoe