The Russian rhythmic gymnastics team has officially withdrawn from the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup being held in Cluj-Napoca. This decision comes just two days after the city’s mayor, Emil Boc, announced a prohibition on the display of the Russian flag and the playing of the national anthem during the event.
The World Cup, taking place this year in Romania, began today and will conclude on Sunday, June 28.
Russia’s Claims
The Russian Gymnastics Federation has accused the organizers of violating competition regulations. According to a press release cited by TASS, they stated, “The organizers verbally informed us that the national flag of the Russian Federation will not be raised in the arena and that the national anthem will not be played in the event of victories by Russian gymnasts. This is a direct violation of a decision made in May by the Executive Committee of World Gymnastics, which fully reinstated the rights of Russian gymnasts.” Linar Ginatullin, spokesperson for the rhythmic gymnastics department at the Russian Gymnastics Federation, made these claims.
The Federation also announced its intention to pursue all available international legal avenues, arguing that the decision to ban the display of the flag and the anthem “violates the Statute of World Gymnastics and the updated provisions of the Olympic Charter.”
On May 18, the International Gymnastics Federation (World Gymnastics) allowed Russian athletes to compete under the Russian flag and anthem, lifting sanctions imposed on them due to the war in Ukraine, as reported by the Russian Gymnastics Federation, according to the Spanish news agency EFE.
Respecting Romania’s Position
Mayor Emil Boc, speaking from London at the World Mayors Forum on Climate Action, reiterated that the Russian flag and anthem cannot be used in Cluj for the World Cup. He stated, “We respect Romania’s and the European Union’s stance on this matter. Clarifications regarding the organization of the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup in Cluj-Napoca,” in a message posted on Facebook.
Boc explained that when the decision to host the competition in Cluj was approved, international regulations did not permit Russian athletes to compete under their national flag and anthem. This situation has recently changed following modifications to the international gymnastics governing body’s rules regarding the representation of Russian athletes in official competitions, as reported by Agerpres.
The mayor emphasized that this action is not a protest against the athletes themselves but is focused solely on the use of official symbols of the Russian Federation in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
