MOSCOW, July 28. /TASS/. The General Assembly of the European Gymnastics Union (European Gymnastics) has ratified the participation of Russian athletes in competitions with national symbols, a Russia’s Gymnastics Federation spokesperson told TASS.

Earlier, spokesman of the German Gymnastics Federation Torsten Hartmann told TASS that 11 national federations had sent a letter to the European Gymnastics requesting that the Russian flag and anthem be banned at competitions in Europe.

On May 24, the Executive Committee of European Gymnastics lifted the sanctions against Russians and Belarusians. Six days earlier, the executive committee of the International Gymnastics Federation lifted restrictions on Russian athletes and allowed them to participate in their tournaments with their flag and anthem.

It is noted that the general rule for competitions under the auspices of European Gymnastics is the participation of Russian athletes under their national flag and with their national anthem. This decision aligns the rules of European Gymnastics with the current decisions of World Gymnastics.

For competitions that were granted hosting rights before July 28, a transitional procedure adopted at the July meeting of the World Gymnastics Executive Committee may be applied. Its use is allowed only in cases where the legislation or mandatory requirements of the host country's government agencies do not allow the display of Russian state symbols. The transitional procedure only applies to the use of state symbols and does not affect the participation of Russian athletes in competitions that will be held after July 28.

Both major international tournaments of the season will be held in Europe in 2026. Germany will host the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in mid-August, while the Netherlands will host the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships for adults in mid-October.