FIG’s handling of Russian athletes just took a controversial turn—was it a mistake or something more? Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) has found itself in the mix due to the evident contradictions present in the list that has been released by the federation, which has led to fans questioning its authenticity. With tensions high and whispers of behind-the-scenes maneuvering, one question looms large—did FIG make a mistake that could lead to a change in the world of gymnastics?

Katherine Keirns, whose X bio says, “Historian of Science, dabbling in gymnastics history,” has raised a lot of questions based on Russian sources. Attaching a list of AIN-approved athletes, Keirns made her thought explicit, “I have a lot of thoughts about this list. Including that something feels off about it and the fact that FIG hasn’t added these names to their official list. I believe that FIG was clueless/cynical enough to approve a CSKA athlete as an AIN.” For the unversed, the Individual Neutral Athletes (AINs) are those who are eligible to represent themselves individually.

According to the threads posted by Keirns on X, a few months ago, Russians submitted a list of 100 names, but only 6 (all T&T) have shown up on FIG’s official list. This is the main context of tension, and the athlete in the center is Russian artistic gymnast Angelina Melnikova. Though the reasons are unknown, it sounds like the issue is serious. That’s because an athlete’s career is at stake, and at what terms? To fulfill the propaganda of the federations? Only time will tell who the real culprit is.

Katherine Keirns also added, “If that’s the case, RGF might be trying to force FIG’s hand to lease the official list. If Melnikova is still on it, they win. If she’s not, they get a propaganda victory about how poor, innocent, beloved Gelya is being victimized by the Ukrainian puppets in Europe.” Also, the list is claimed to be approved for AIN status but no confirmation from FIG has been released. And maybe Melnikova violates the ad hoc rules because without naming her in the previous post on X, Keirns wrote, “There is at least one name on this list that violates the plain text of the ad hoc rules.” The controversy also revolves around the names that are not on the list.

FIG blocks Russian neutrals from the European Championship

The FIG’s handling of Russian athletes has fueled concerns over inconsistencies in the approval process, with critics questioning whether the decisions were based on technicalities or political motivations. The lack of transparency from FIG has only deepened the uncertainty surrounding the situation. Why?

That’s because there are names that should be on the list, and the entries are blocked. Russian gymnast Victoria Listunova has been denied neutral status by FIG for the Olympic champion of Tokyo. Other names who are denied entry are Alexei Usachev, Ekaterina Privalova, and Elena Ayloyan.

Adding to the controversy, Elena Iskhakova, Secretary General of the Russian Canoe Federation, criticized the process, highlighting that some athletes who provided all necessary documentation were still excluded. The absence of clear reasoning behind these denials has intensified frustration among Russian sporting officials, who see this as a deliberate obstruction rather than a fair enforcement of the rules.

Meanwhile, speculation grows over whether FIG is internally divided on how to handle Russian participation. As the gymnastics world awaits an official response from FIG, the incident raises larger questions about fairness and consistency in international sports governance. If neutrality is selectively granted, does it truly remain neutral?