Russian star Angelina Melnikova will no longer compete in the German Gymnastics League final for the TSV Gymnastics Club in Tetmuning-Chemnitz, eastern Germany. This was told by the club coach to DW.
Melnikova (25 years old) signed with Chemnitz earlier this month, but her first appearance in the penultimate round of the German League for this season, on November 15 in the city of Esslingen, southwest of the country, sparked controversy because of her ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin and her support for the war in Ukraine. This appears to violate the neutrality rules of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).
In his opening speech at the Esslingen competition, the city’s mayor, Matthias Kloepfer, appealed to the city of Chemnitz to reconsider its decision to bring Melnikova. But protests against his participation did not materialize. When asked on Monday whether Melnikova would compete in the final in Heidelberg on November 29, Chemnitz coach Tatiana Bachmeier told DW: “No, she won’t.”
Bachmeier said he would make further comments once the finals are over, adding that he wants to focus on preparing his team for the competition. He described the past two weeks as “very intense.”
According to information obtained by DW, the Chemnitz board of directors made the final decision, mainly to protect the club’s coaches.
Why was Melnikova allowed to compete?
The International Federation granted Melnikova neutral status in March, allowing her to compete internationally even though the organization’s rules prohibit “active support for the military conflict in Ukraine.” She was photographed carrying the Russian military symbol “Z”, which is explicitly indicated in the regulations.
The Russian gymnast refused to talk about her neutral status, and responded with “no comment” in an interview with German radio SWR in Esslingen. However, on Tuesday, it commented on TSV Tittmoning-Chemnitz’s decision to part ways with it.
Reacting on Instagram, Melnikova attributed “public interest and political discussions” to her disinvitation to compete, while also expressing gratitude for the “support” she received in Germany.
“Everyone deserves equal opportunities in all areas of life, and every athlete deserves to compete in sports to achieve their dreams,” he wrote on Tuesday. “I believe and hope that the situation will improve soon and that every athlete will be able to do what they love without obstacles.”
Since 2023, the International Gymnastics Federation has been allowing Russian and Belarusian gymnasts to compete as “neutral” athletes. Three of these athletes participated in the trampoline competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The International Federation did not clarify its decision regarding Melnikova, claiming that it does not comment on individual cases. The Deutsche Turnliga, which oversees the German gymnastics league, claimed it followed International Gymnastics Federation rules.
Melnikova enjoyed a triumphant return to international competition, winning two gold medals, including the individual title, and a silver medal at the World Championships held in October in Jakarta, Indonesia. Putin even acknowledged this success and congratulated her on her “victorious performance.”
(l/ms)