Russia's world, world and European champion chose between gymnastics and candida at parliamentary elections

With 23 medals at the Olympic Games, World Championships and European Championships, Angelina Melnikova is one of the most titled gymnasts in Russia. At the same time, the 25-year-old athlete intended to pursue a political career.

More accurate, She won the internal elections in the country's largest party, united Russia, and wanted to apply for Duma of Voronejat the elections in District 23.

“I was born and grew up in Voronej, my sports career started here and I always represented Voronej in international competitions. I did not end my sports career, but I want to try to contribute to the fate of my city not only as a sportsman, but also as a citizen,” said Melnikova.

Angelina Melnikova has given up political ambitions for now: “a violation of the principle of neutrality”

However, according to the Russian press, Melnikova will no longer run, because that would mean the conclusion of her sports career.

According to Verstka.media, whose journalists discussed with sources from the Russian gymnastics federation, Melnikova decided to withdraw from the list of candidates, Because the International Gymnastics Federation prohibits the combination of a sports career with parliamentary activity.

“International institutions interpret this as a violation of the principle of neutrality,” the Russians wrote. If he was part of the Voronej Regional Parliament, the gymnast who, in 2017, took gold at the European Championships in Cluj should have participated in the election campaign and state events.

“For example, she takes a picture with a veteran in uniform, the picture reaches the International Gymnastics Federation and that means suspension. Her managers were warned about this. Tournaments are more important to her and could lose commercial partnerships”, Explained the source within the federation.

According to the aforementioned publication, Melnikova's managers tried to propose that the gymnast be deputted and this would not be made public, but could not. Therefore, the athlete, who wants to participate in the Paris World Cup and the World Championships under Indonesia under the neutral flag, paused the political ambitions.

Angelina Melnikova, at the European Championships in Cluj (2017)/Photo: Imago Images

Angelina Melnikova, forced to change the piece she built on the ground

This year, representatives of the Ukraine Olympic Committee, the Ministry of Youth and Sport and the Gymnastics Federation requested the suspension of Angeline. Also, The International Gymnastics Federation asked him to change the song “Sub -lieutenant” of Irina Allegrovawhich he had prepared, most likely, for soil choreography.

“We urgently change music for international competitions. We cannot perform on foreign music because of the rights, we can perform music in Russia, but not on all songs. For example, we had a” sub -lieutenant “, but we get it and we have to put something else.” We look, “Melnikova told Telegram.

Angeline Melnikova's latest medals came to the 2021 World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan, where he took gold to the individual compound, silver to the ground and bronze to jump.