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SportsActive today · day 2

Netherlands denies visas to three Russian gymnasts ahead of Rotterdam worlds

Melnikova and Listunova among three barred from entering the Netherlands days before a championship that doubles as a 2028 Olympic qualifier.

newest coverage 24m agosummary written 1h ago19 pieces NewswiresMastodon

What to know

  • Three Russian gymnasts, including defending all-around champion Melnikova and Tokyo gold medalist Listunova, have been outright denied Dutch visas for the Rotterdam worlds starting October 17.
  • The event is the first chance for countries to qualify full teams for the LA28 Olympics and the first major competition with a full Russian team since its 2022 sporting ban.
  • Russia's federation calls the denial a double standard versus other national teams and says World Gymnastics has not responded to its appeals.
  • Even if it competes, Russia will do so as neutral 'WG2' without flag, anthem or colors, under continued EU pressure to sustain its isolation in global sports.

“Several of Russia's strongest gymnasts remain without visas. The delays have already disrupted our athletes' preparation and travel schedules.”

RGF spokesperson, Russian Gymnastics Federation official · Forbes ↗ · Oct 11

Angelina Melnikova Defending world all-around championViktoria Listunova Tokyo Olympics gold medalistKaja KallasKaja Kallas EU foreign policy chiefRussian Gymnastics Federation Russia's national gymnastics bodyDutch government Host nation authorityWorld Gymnastics (Morinari Watanabe) Sport's governing body

Netherlands denies visas to three Russian gymnasts ahead of Rotterdam worlds
Yahoo Sports

How it unfolded 5 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

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Oct 12yesterdaynow · 3:38 AM ET
  1. 5

    Russia says visas denied over 'threat to international relations'

    The Russian gymnastics body said one or more Schengen countries considered the three athletes a threat to international relations, the stated grounds for the visa refusals.

    1. 2 outlets No visas for top Russian gymnasts to compete at worlds

      first by Yahoo Sports, 13h ago · also Meduza EN

      1 more headline
  2. 4

    BBC and Yahoo confirm trio barred from worlds

    Wire coverage confirmed the Netherlands' refusal leaves the three Russian gymnasts unable to compete at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships opening the following Saturday in Rotterdam.

    1. 2 outlets Russian trio denied visas for world championships

      first by BBC Sport, 14h ago · also Yahoo Sports

  3. 3

    Netherlands formally denies visas to three top Russian gymnasts

    The Russian Gymnastics Federation confirmed that Angelina Melnikova, Viktoria Listunova and a third gymnast were denied visas outright, ruling out Melnikova's title defense in the women's all-around.

    1. 2 outlets Russia Gymnastics Federation says top gymnasts denied visas for World Championships in Netherlands

      first by Yahoo Sports, 17h ago · also Forbes Business

      3 more headlines
    2. 1 outlet Russian gymnasts still waiting for visas for world championships

      first by Yahoo Sports, 2d ago

  4. 2

    Russian federation alleges double standard, warns of disrupted prep

    The Russian Gymnastics Federation said eight of twelve named gymnasts still lacked visas, that World Gymnastics had not responded to its appeals, and accused the Netherlands of treating Russian athletes differently from other national teams.

    “We believe this is a clear example of double standards. All athletes must be treated equally, regardless of nationality or political circumstances.”
    — RGF spokesperson
    • rvps2001@mastodon.social

      🇳🇱 Four of # Russia 's gymnasts have received visas allowing them to participate at the world championships, but several, including defending all-around champion Angelina Melnikova, are still awaiting their documents. https://www. usatoday.com/story/sports/olym pics/2026/10/12/russia-gymnastics-world-championships-visas-melnikova/92221408007/

      rvps2001@mastodon.socialMastodon1d agoview on Mastodon ↗
  5. 1

    Only 4 of 61 Russian delegates have visas, Kallas urges isolation

    TASS reported just four gymnasts (and later a Forbes source said only 4 of 61 total delegation members) had received visas two days before travel was due, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc would propose ways to sustain Russia's isolation in sports.

    “Sports and culture must not become vehicles for whitewashing Russian aggression. Based on today's discussion, my services together with the Commission, will put forward proposals on how to sustain Russia's isolation in global sports.”
    — Kaja Kallas
    1. 2 outlets Two-Thirds Of Russian Gymnasts Without Visas Days Before World Championships

      first by Forbes Business, 1d ago · also Yahoo Sports

    2. 1 outlet Russia awaits visas as gymnastics world championships approach: Report

      first by Yahoo Sports, 1d ago

  6. background

    Russia delays Rotterdam departure over missing visas — Russia's delegation, due to leave for the Netherlands, pushed back its departure because the Dutch government had not issued visas; Melnikova said training continued regardless.