29 July 2024, France, Paris: Olympics, Paris 2024, gymnastics, all-around, team, men, final, pommel horse, Oleg Verniayev from Ukraine. Photo: Marijan Murat/dpa (Photo by Marijan Murat/picture alliance via Getty Images)
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The Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation (UGF) is calling on the international sports community for support. After Ukrainian rhythmic gymnasts Sofiia Krainska and Varvara Chubarova protested the Russian and Belarusian anthems at this week’s European Championships, the UGF has issued a call for global action.
FIG Ends Restrictions
On May 18, the World Gymnastics (FIG) Executive Committee lifted “all restrictions applicable” to Russian and Belarusian athletes, ending more than four years of restrictions stemming from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. With the controversial move, Russian and Belarusian nationals can now compete freely under national colors, flags, and anthems.
Despite heavy backlash from Ukraine, World Gymnastics’ ruling took immediate effect, permitting full participation by Russian and Belarusian athletes at this week’s European Gymnastics Championships in Varna, Bulgaria.
After their athletes shared the podium with competitors from the ‘aggressor and satellite state,’ the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation launched into protest.
Ukraine Protests at European Championships
After finishing behind Russian and Belarusian competitors in two individual events, Ukrainian gymnasts covered their eyes and inserted headphones in protest as the Russian and Belarusian national anthems played in Varna.
In a statement shared Friday, the federation explained the protest and urged member federations and allies to express support. The UGF declares the acts as ones of “silent dignity.”
“Today, we closed our eyes and covered our ears. We refuse to look at the state symbols or listen to the anthems of the aggressor state and its satellite, whose combined complicity in this unprovoked war has caused so much destruction and pain,” the statement read.
The UGF asserts that the protest serves as a reminder of the human cost of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “The world is forgetting the hundreds of Ukrainian athletes and coaches who lost their lives and will never compete again. It is forgetting the thousands of completely destroyed sports schools and the millions of shattered dreams. We are here to ensure their memory is not erased.”
Ukraine’s Campaign
While the European Championships conclude on May 31, the gymnastics season has just begun. UGF is calling on international sports federations, athletes, coaches and fans to “join this movement of solidarity.”
The federation has designated the movement: “Flashmob #CloseYourEyesAndEars,” and calls on supporters to post a photo or video covering one’s eyes or ears with one’s hands, accompanied by the campaign hashtags: #CloseYourEyesAndEars and #RememberUkraine.
Should a supporter choose to post a video, the federation urges the user to use an air-raid sound as audio. “Let the world hear the sound under which our athletes are forced to train every single day,” the UGF states.
Ukraine Awaits General Assembly
Ukraine’s protest extends beyond the competition floor in Varna. The UGF has formally appealed to European Gymnastics, but the response has been clear: as a FIG-sanctioned event, the European Championships must comply with FIG’s framework. Additionally, with neutral participation rules now dissolved, European Gymnastics argues it has no basis to restrict Russian and Belarusian participation.
However, European Gymnastics has confirmed that an Extraordinary General Assembly will be convened. As of May 29, the assembly date is unconfirmed, and Ukrainian officials tell me they have not received the formal invitation.
Critically, the assembly is expected to ratify the European Gymnastics Executive Committee’s existing decision rather than reconsider it, leaving Ukraine with a narrow window to lobby federations for support. Upon receiving the invitation, the UGF will have 21 days to build an opposition.
While the European battle currently holds the spotlight, Ukraine’s fight for justice extends outside the continental level. The federation will challenge May’s FIG decision across all available jurisdictions under international sports law. The protest has also escalated to a governmental level, with Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Sports jointly issuing a public statement of protest.
For Ukrainian athletes on the mat in Varna, this month’s developments have already inflicted “a very heavy psychological blow.” With restrictions lifting and the season only beginning, they are unlikely to be the last.