Russia will take part in the Congress of the International Gymnastics Federation, despite the protests and the boycott of Ukraine
“We need to keep in touch with Russia.” The Gymnastics Federation did not fall for blackmail from Ukraine
The president of the organization shows courage and far-sightedness.
The Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation refused to participate in the Congress of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), as the event was attended by representatives of Russia and Belarus. Also about countering the fight against the international congress of the free islands.
Despite this, the international federation stands its ground – they are not going to remove obvious persons from Russia and Belarus.
Let’s fix a small success, but our sport in the political arena?
“It is necessary to remove not only athletes”
The FIG Congress will be held November 11-12 in Istanbul. the event took place in Norway, but it was postponed due to the inability to receive delegates from Russia and Belarus. The Norwegian side did not meet the participation of Russian and Belarusian representatives due to a ban from the local Olympic Committee. The Norwegians, apparently, were offended by the postponement and after it announced that the congress had passed. A total of 450 delegates from 150 countries will attend the event.
Russian team
Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
The Ukrainian federation requested the FIG to remove the representatives of Russia from participation in the event, threatening to boycott.
“The Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation reiterates its position that it is necessary to exclude not only athletes from Russia and Belarus, but also any other representatives from Russia and representing these countries in the FIG or holding a position in the FIG from participating in the events of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) as “neutral” persons, ”the official website of the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation reports.
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“We all need to be one team again”
In March, the FIG suspended Russian athletes from participation in the competition, but the officials of Russia and Belarus excluded the right to participate in the congress, since the federal federations were excluded.
In considering the situation, any decisions could be expected, but the international federation nevertheless decided not to demand requests from the Ukrainians.
FIG President Morinari Watanabe explains his decision:
“If you are a member of an international organization, the position cannot be dangerous for your country. In fact, you keep the national position. If this basic policy is not followed, the merger of organizations is irrelevant. That is why neither the UN nor the IOC excluded Russia and Belarus.
First of all, the organization should take responsibility for the meeting, not enter into relations with Russia and Belarus. So that we can convey our views to Russian and Belarusian officials. And we, FIG, should also listen to their opinion.
After the completion of the industrial operation (quote changed in accordance with the official position of the Russian Federation), we should all become one team again. Otherwise, we will not be able to create a bright future,” Watanabe quotes Morinari Inside Games.
Morinari Watanabe
Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
In our time, a certain courage and sensitivity of Ukraine is needed to anticipate such a danger, despite the danger from some other countries as well. At least behind the desire it is worth setting up the dialogue of the head of the FIG. I would like to believe that in the near future it will be the resumption of Russian gymnastics on the world stage.