18. Juli 2016  
Lausanne, SUI  
Artistic Gymnastics

FIG raises serious concerns about possible blanket ban on Russian athletes

FIG Office; Press release: --++ The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) is concerned about the increasing number of officials asking for a blanket ban of Russian athletes to participte at the forthcoming Olympic Games in Rio. Whilst FIG fully supports the IOC's policy of "Zero Tolerance in Doping", it strongly feels that not all Russian athletes of all sports should be banned and found guilty for actions in other sports and federations.

Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Trampoline athletes cannot be judged based on other sports. Before any actions are taken against FIG's athletes, facts must be presented and doping offenses must be proven. FIG's Russian gymnasts have been subject to controls equal to those of our other leading gymnastics federations. Clean Russian gymnasts must therefore be allowed to compete at the Games.
<  FIG President Bruno Grandi, who has always fought for justice in sport stated:
"The rights of every individual athlete must be respected. Participation at the Olympic Games is the highest goal of athletes who often sacrifice their entire youth to this aim. The right to participate at the Games cannot be stolen from an athlete, who has duly qualified and has not be found guilty of doping. Blanket bans have never been and will never be just."
* Source: fig press release