Russian gymnasts postpone world championship travel over visa delay

Russian gymnasts are changing their flights to the world championships in Rotterdam to the night of October 12–13 because Dutch visas have not arrived, former national-team senior coach Valentina Rodionenko said on October 11.

She said the documents were expected on Monday, October 12, but it remained unclear whether every athlete would receive one. That is an expected date rather than confirmation that entry permits have been issued.

The Russian Gymnastics Federation had previously said the team planned to leave for the Netherlands during the night of October 11–12. The ticket changes would move the original travel plan back by a day.

The world championships are scheduled for October 17–25 in Rotterdam. The federation had warned that visa delays threatened the team's participation in qualifying for the 2028 Olympics.