The Netherlands has refused entry to three Russian gymnasts set to compete in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam from October 17 to 25, citing concerns about their demonstrated support for Vladimir Putin and Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.
The three athletes whose visas were rejected are Angelina Melnikova, Viktoria Listunova, and Anna Kalmykova. The Russian Gymnastics Federation confirmed that the Dutch embassy in Moscow turned down their applications. Official rejection notices stated that one or more countries within the Schengen Area regarded the athletes as posing a risk to international relations.
Dutch officials clarified that the visa assessments were made under European Union regulations and that athletic accomplishments played no part in the decision.
Melnikova holds the current world title in the all-around competition. She has taken part in events run by Putin's United Russia party and has been photographed displaying the Z symbol linked to Russia's military operations. Ukraine sanctioned her in February 2026 for her backing of the war effort. Listunova captured Olympic team gold at the Tokyo Games alongside Melnikova. She attended a pro-war gathering in Moscow in March 2022 while dressed in clothing marked with the Z symbol. Kalmykova competes for Dynamo, a Russian sports organisation connected to the nation's security apparatus.
Russian gymnasts had resumed taking part in international events this year following the lifting of restrictions that were put in place after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The action mirrors Poland's recent decision to exclude Russian and Belarusian competitors from the 2027 European Diving Championships. The Polish Swimming Federation stated that such bans will stay in effect while Russia's war against Ukraine persists.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.