Russia withdraws from gymnastics World Challenge Cup over flag dispute

MOSCOW: Russia will no longer take part in the rhythmic gymnastics World Challenge Cup in Romania, the team said Friday, after accusing the event’s organisers of banning their flag and anthem.

“The Russian rhythmic gymnastics team has decided to withdraw from the Challenge Cup, which is taking place from June 26 to 28 in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

“This decision is due to serious violations of competition regulations by the organisers,” Russia’s team said in a statement.

“The organisers verbally informed us that the Russian national flag would not be displayed in the sports arena and the national anthem would not be played if the Russian gymnasts won,” Russia’s team said.

Russia said the restrictions “directly” contravened the decision of the sport’s governing body to readmit them in May, after a four-year ban over the Ukraine war, and they were considering legal action to force compliance with the ruling.

World Gymnastics, the sport’s ruling body, made no immediate comment.

The mayor of Cluj-Napoca, Emil Boc, had announced in a Facebook video on Wednesday that Russia would not be allowed to use their flag and anthem at the event.

“I do not agree that the political symbols of an aggressor state in Europe should be used in a country of the EU,” he said.

It was not immediately clear whether organisers had complied with his request.

Russia are a rhythmic gymnastics powerhouse, having won Olympic gold in the sport every year between 2000 and 2016.

Rhythmic gymnastics combines ballet and acrobatics, often using apparatus such as a ribbon, hoop and ball.