The Russian gymnastics federation has criticized the Netherlands after three of its leading female gymnasts were denied visas to enter the country for the World Championships in Rotterdam, according to De Telegraaf. The federation described the decision as discrimination, a claim reported by NOS.
Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant reported that the Netherlands refused entry to the three Russian gymnasts. Among those affected is a reigning world champion, according to Sporza.
The dispute concerns the Netherlands' handling of entry permits for Russian athletes ahead of the tournament. The Russian federation's anger was directed at Dutch authorities over the rejections, De Telegraaf reported.
Coverage of the situation varied across Dutch outlets. NU reported that part of the Russian gymnastics team was already traveling to the World Championships in Rotterdam with visas in hand, indicating that not all members of the delegation faced the same outcome.
The World Championships are being held in Rotterdam, placing the host country's visa decisions at the center of the story. The Russian federation's public response has framed the matter as unfair treatment of its athletes, while Dutch officials have not been quoted in the available reporting explaining the basis for the refusals.
The episode adds to the broader friction surrounding the participation of Russian athletes in international competition, though the reporting available does not specify the grounds cited by the Netherlands for turning down the applications.
What to watch next: whether the affected gymnasts or the Russian federation pursue an appeal, and whether Dutch authorities or the sport's governing body comment further on the visa decisions.
