Wiener: Russian gymnasts will never perform without the flag and anthem

The Russian rhythmic gymnastics team will no longer perform at international competitions without the flag and anthem of the country, said the head coach of the national team Irina Viner.

According to her, previously our athletes could only qualify for one place at the Olympics and then only to perform without fans, a flag and an anthem, in white uniforms and with special music. Wiener noted that this was humiliating and called this option a disgrace.

“Russian rhythmic gymnastics will definitely not go there, and we will never again perform without the flag and anthem of Russia,” – TASS quotes the head coach of the Russian team.

In October, Wiener also spoke out about the IOC initiative. According to her, accepting the conditions of neutral status means giving up.

Let us recall that in March the IOC allowed international federations to admit Russian athletes to competitions in a neutral status, except for athletes associated with the RF Armed Forces, national teams in team disciplines, as well as those who support the special operation.

The head of the Russian Olympic Committee, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, called the IOC’s position unacceptable. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the International Olympic Committee is deteriorating due to the politicization and commercialization of sports. And the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, emphasized that the IOC’s decision is a manifestation of xenophobia and nationalism.