Ukraine ‘Demands Justice’ After Russian Gymnast Turns Back On Ukrainian Flag
Ukrainian officials are urging World Gymnastics and the IOC to revoke Sofia Ilteryakova's neutral status, citing her failure to face the Ukrainian flag during a medal ceremony.
The Ukraine flag. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images) Visionhaus/Getty Images Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast Taisia Onofriichuk dominated the World Cup in Sofia, Bulgaria, winning four gold medals across five disciplines. However, the actions of a Russian silver medalist in Sofia have sparked significant outrage.
During the medal ceremony for the Hoop competition, Russian “neutral athlete” Sofia Ilteryakova did not turn to face the Ukrainian flag as the anthem played for Onofriichuk, the event winner. While Onofriichuk and bronze medalist Sofia Raffaeli (Italy) stood at attention, Ilteryakova was seen facing away from the flag as the Ukrainian anthem played. Ilteryakova’s actions drew criticism, particularly from Ukrainian officials, particularly due to her authorized neutral status.
In order to achieve neutral status and compete in World Gymnastics sanctioned events, the federation’s Ad-Hoc guidelines require athletes to meet the following criteria: No voluntary affiliation with the Russian or Belarusian military or with any other national security agency No active support for the military conflict in Ukraine The World Gymnastics federation (formerly the International Gynastics Federation) states that athletes must refrain from “verbal or nonverbal" activity or communication" that “constitutes active support for the military conflict in Ukraine. ” Additionally, the guidelines state that athletes must not “take any action or behave in any way that may prejudice the interests of the competition, its integrity or the participant’s neutrality required as a condition for participation. ” In addition to her potential breaches of the neutrality criteria, Ilteryakova’s actions appear to violate the federation’s rules for award ceremony conduct.
World Gymnastics rules assert that “all parties must turn to face the flags. ” MORE FROM FORBES The Unprecedented Rise Of Clemson Gymnastics By Caroline Price Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation’s Response The Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation is seeking justice for its athlete and its federation after Ilteryakova’s behavior at the World Cup event. The federation provided an official statement in response to my requests for comment, regarding what it described as the “demonstrative disrespect for the state symbols of Ukraine” by Sofia Ilteryakova.
Continue to the original source for the full article.