The Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation has expressed its official position in response to the decision of the International Gymnastics Federation to lift all sanctions against Russia and Belarus.
In mid-May, the International Gymnastics Federation lifted all sanctions against Russia and Belarus. In particular, the organization's new decision allows athletes from these countries to compete in tournaments under national symbols.
The Ukrainian Federation has reacted to the decision of the International Gymnastics Federation. The organization stated that it will appeal it and demand the immediate convening of a congress of the International Federation, questioning the “ethics” of this verdict.
“Acting within the legal framework, the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation demands the immediate convening of an extraordinary FIG/World Gymnastics Congress. The issue of returning the national attributes of the aggressor country and its satellite should be submitted to an open and united discussion of all member countries, and not be resolved at the level of the executive body,” the Ukrainian Federation said in a statement.
“The Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation is determined to act decisively, consistently and exclusively within the legal framework. We will appeal the decision of the FIG / World Gymnastics Executive Committee as one that was adopted in excess of statutory powers, violates the basic principles of non-discrimination and poses a threat to the ethical integrity of international competitions.”
The Ukrainian Federation emphasizes that the organization's new decision is “discriminatory” against Ukraine.
“The FIG/World Gymnastics Statute strictly prohibits any discrimination, but the current decision creates deliberately unequal, inhumane conditions for competition in favor of athletes from the aggressor country and its satellite. As a result of the war, the Ukrainian people suffer irreparable human losses. Creating preferences for representatives of the countries responsible for these losses is a form of direct and indirect discrimination against those who have suffered from aggression.”
“The decision of the FIG Executive Committee actually puts Ukrainian gymnasts before an unbearable personal choice. On the one hand, their professional and patriotic duty to represent their country, raise the Ukrainian flag, and prove the strength of their state on the international stage. On the other hand, there is a deep moral and ethical conflict due to the forced presence on the same platform and podium next to representatives of aggressor countries who will perform under the state symbols of the regimes that are responsible for the deaths of Ukrainian citizens. Such pressure is unacceptable in a modern humanistic society.”
“Issues affecting the global status of competitions, legal equality and athlete safety are the exclusive prerogative of the FIG/World Gymnastics Congress, the highest body of the organization, where all national federations of the world are represented.”