Russia declines invite in 2024 Olympic gymnastics, hilariously hopes for high standard BRICS Games
Russia’s gymnastics team has declined to compete as neutral athletes at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, claiming they will only compete in tournaments in their own country, head coach Valentina Rodionenko, said.
"We've long known that our gymnasts are prohibited from competing in the upcoming Olympics in Paris,” Rodionenko claimed.
“So, what now? We are moving forward and preparing for the BRICS Games.”
BRICS is an intergovernmental organization originally between Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS), that now also includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
“Let's find out what happens at the Friendship Games,” she said.
“Hopefully, there will be strong teams competing.”
That seems unlikely, as the world’s best gymnasts will be competing in Paris this summer.
Russia and the Soviet Union have over 200 medals in Olympic gymnastics; the rest of BRICS have only 90 combined, with China winning 84 and Brazil claiming the rest. Egypt, India, Iran, South Africa, and UAE have never won an Olympic medal in gymnastics.
“Our gymnasts will not compete at the Olympics as neutrals, which is unacceptable,” Rodionenko claimed.
“We were barred from qualifying at the World Cup's final two stages, which could have sent us to Paris. They've put us on our knees, so why should we bother going to these Olympic Games?!" she said to Sport24.
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