World Gymnastics continues talks over Russian athletes’ visa refusals

World Gymnastics said on October 14 that it remains in dialogue with Dutch authorities after three Russian gymnasts were refused visas. The governing body expressed regret over the disruption to the delegation’s preparations for the Rotterdam world championships.

The federation said visa decisions rest exclusively with the Dutch authorities and that it could not explain why individual applications had been refused. Its discussions also involve the local organising committee and the Russian Gymnastics Federation.

Angelina Melnikova, Viktoria Listunova and Anna Kalmykova were previously identified as the athletes refused visas. The latest statement describes continuing talks, without announcing that the refusals have been reversed or that documents have been issued.

The artistic gymnastics world championships take place on October 17–25. They offer the first team qualification places for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with the top three men’s and women’s teams securing berths.