"We will never perform again": Russian gymnasts refuse to participate in the 2024 Olympics

The Russian rhythmic gymnastics team has refused to participate in international competitions without national symbols. This refers, in particular, to the Olympic Games in Paris next year, as performing in a neutral status will be considered a disgrace.

This was stated by the president of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation (VFGG) Irina Viner in a commentary to the propaganda news agency TASS. A member of the Supreme Council of the United Russia political party, she added that Russian representatives "will never perform without the flag and anthem again."

"Until recently, we in Europe could claim only one place at the Olympics. But why do we need it? Without a flag, without an anthem, without communication, without fans, in special uniforms, with special music that would be selected for rhythmic gymnastics. It will be a disgrace if we go there. I think it would be very humiliating for Russia. But Russian rhythmic gymnastics will definitely not go there, and we will never perform without the Russian flag and anthem again," Viner said.

On December 8, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the 2024 Winter Olympics in a neutral status. However, this applies only to individual events, and the athletes themselves must meet certain criteria.

Dictator Vladimir Putin did not give an unambiguous decree to his athletes on what to do with the 2024 Olympics. Later, the IOC reduced the number of Russians allowed to participate in the Games, which will be held in Paris from July 26 to August 11. Initially, it was reported that 8 Russians and 3 Belarusians had been selected.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, two-time Olympic champion Svetlana Ishmuratova made a nonsense claim that the world sports community could not exist without Russia.

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