The International Gymnastics Federation Rescinds Sanctions Against Russian and Belarusian Athletes.

國際體操總會撤銷對俄羅斯與白俄羅斯運動員的制裁。

May 18, 2026, 17:36
EuropeSports

Introduction

The World Gymnastics (FIG) Executive Committee has announced the immediate removal of all competitive restrictions previously imposed on athletes from Russia and Belarus.

世界體操總會 (FIG) 執行委員會宣布，立即取消先前對俄羅斯與白俄羅斯運動員的所有參賽限制。

Main Body

The current policy shift represents a complete reversal of the regulatory framework established in February 2022 following the Russian incursion into Ukraine. Historically, these athletes were prohibited from representing their respective National Olympic Committees or National Federations. A transitional phase, initiated in late 2024, permitted participation under the designation of Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), provided the competitors adhered to strict criteria: the absence of voluntary affiliation with national security agencies and the lack of active support for the conflict in Ukraine. Under this regime, national symbols and anthems were substituted with FIG-selected neutral alternatives.

目前的政策轉變代表完全推翻了 2022 年 2 月俄羅斯入侵烏克蘭後建立的監管框架。歷史上，這些運動員被禁止代表各自的國家奧會或國家體操總會。2024 年底開始的過渡階段，允許運動員在符合嚴格標準的情況下——即未自願加入國家安全機構且未積極支持烏克蘭衝突——以「個人中立運動員」(AIN) 的身分參賽。在此機制下，國家象徵與國歌被 FIG 選定的中立替代方案所取代。

This neutrality framework encountered significant scrutiny in 2025 regarding the eligibility of Angelina Melnikova. Despite her affiliation with the Central Sports Club of the Army—a Russian Ministry of Defense subsidiary—and her previous political candidacy for the United Russia party, the FIG granted her neutral status. This enabled her subsequent victory in the world all-around title. The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine had previously characterized Melnikova as a 'Champion of Terror,' citing her institutional ties to the aggressor state's armed forces.

此中立框架在 2025 年針對 Angelina Melnikova 的資格問題遭遇了顯著質疑。儘管她隸屬於俄羅斯國防部下屬的陸軍中央體育俱樂部，且先前曾參選「統一俄羅斯」黨，但 FIG 仍授予其中立身分。這使她隨後贏得了世界全能冠軍。烏克蘭國防情報局此前將 Melnikova 稱為「恐怖之冠」，理由是她與侵略國武裝部隊有制度性聯繫。

This administrative rapprochement by the FIG aligns with a broader trend among international sporting bodies. Similar reinstatements have been observed within World Aquatics, United World Wrestling, the International Judo Federation, and the International Paralympic Committee. The FIG's decision extends across all five governed disciplines: artistic, rhythmic, acrobatic, aerobic gymnastics, and trampolining. Consequently, Russian teams are now eligible to compete under their national flags at the 2026 World Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam, which serves as the qualifying event for the 2028 Olympic Games.

FIG 的這次行政緩和符合國際體育組織的廣泛趨勢。世界泳聯、世界摔跤聯合會、國際柔道聯盟及國際帕拉林匹克委員會也觀察到了類似的恢復參賽情況。FIG 的決定涵蓋其管轄的所有五個項目：競技體操、韻律體操、特技體操、有氧體操與跳床。因此，俄羅斯隊現在有資格在 2026 年鹿特丹世界體操錦標賽中使用國旗參賽，而該賽事為 2028 年奧運會的資格賽。

Conclusion

Russian and Belarusian gymnasts have been fully reinstated and may now compete under their national identifiers in all FIG-sanctioned events.

俄羅斯與白俄羅斯的體操運動員已全面恢復資格，現在可以在所有 FIG 認可的賽事中使用國家識別符號參賽。

Vocabulary Learning

The Architecture of 'Administrative Euphemism' and Nominalization

To move from B2 to C2, a student must stop describing actions and start describing phenomena. The provided text is a masterclass in Nominalization—the process of turning verbs (actions) into nouns (concepts) to create an objective, distanced, and highly formal academic tone.

⚡ The Pivot: From Action to Entity

Observe how the text avoids simple subject-verb-object structures in favor of complex noun phrases. This is the hallmark of high-level diplomatic and legal English.

  • B2 Approach: The FIG changed its rules and brought the athletes back. (Simple, narrative, focused on agency).
  • C2 Approach: "This administrative rapprochement by the FIG aligns with a broader trend..."

Analysis of 'Rapprochement': Rather than using the verb reconcile or bring back, the author uses the loanword rapprochement. This doesn't just describe a change in policy; it categorizes the change as a political phenomenon. It shifts the focus from the act of forgiving to the state of restored relations.

🔍 Syntactic Density: The 'Heavy' Subject

C2 mastery involves managing 'heavy' noun phrases that carry immense semantic weight before the verb even appears.

"The absence of voluntary affiliation with national security agencies and the lack of active support for the conflict in Ukraine"

In this sequence, the "action" (the requirement) is entirely subsumed into nouns: absence, affiliation, lack, and support. By eliminating verbs, the writer strips the sentence of emotional urgency and replaces it with regulatory precision.

🎓 Lexical Precision & Collocational Rigor

Notice the specific pairing of adjectives and nouns that signal C2 proficiency:

  • Regulatory framework (Not set of rules)
  • Transitional phase (Not middle period)
  • Institutional ties (Not connections to the organization)
  • Governed disciplines (Not types of sport)

Scholarly Insight: To replicate this, stop asking 'What happened?' and start asking 'What is the name of the process that occurred?' Transform 'The FIG decided to stop the sanctions' →\rightarrow 'The rescission of sanctions by the FIG.'

Vocabulary Learning

incursion (n.)
A sudden or brief invasion or attack, especially by a military force.
Example:The Russian incursion into Ukraine in February 2022 sparked international condemnation.
prohibited (adj.)
Forbidden; not allowed.
Example:The athletes were prohibited from competing under their national flags.
regulatory (adj.)
Relating to or concerned with rules or regulations.
Example:The new regulatory framework aims to ensure fairness.
framework (n.)
A basic structure underlying a system or concept.
Example:The regulatory framework was established in February 2022.
transitional (adj.)
Relating to a period of change or adjustment.
Example:The transitional phase allowed athletes to compete as neutral.
designation (n.)
An official title or name given to someone or something.
Example:Athletes were given the designation of Individual Neutral Athletes.
criteria (n.)
A standard or principle used as a basis for judgment or decision.
Example:Candidates had to meet strict criteria.
voluntary (adj.)
Performed of one's own free will, without compulsion.
Example:Voluntary affiliation with security agencies was prohibited.
affiliation (n.)
The state of being associated or connected with a group or organization.
Example:His affiliation with the army raised concerns.
regime (n.)
A system or form of government, especially one that is authoritarian.
Example:The regime imposed strict controls on athletes.
substituted (v.)
Replaced or exchanged for something else.
Example:National symbols were substituted with neutral alternatives.
neutrality (n.)
The state of not taking sides in a conflict or dispute.
Example:The neutrality framework was scrutinized by observers.
encountered (v.)
Faced or experienced, often unexpectedly.
Example:The neutrality framework encountered significant scrutiny.
scrutiny (n.)
Close and critical examination or inspection.
Example:The policy faced intense scrutiny from athletes.
eligibility (n.)
The state of being qualified or suitable for a particular role or activity.
Example:Her eligibility was questioned due to her political candidacy.
subsidiary (n.)
A company controlled by another company, often through ownership of a majority of its shares.
Example:The club is a subsidiary of the Ministry of Defense.
candidacy (n.)
The act of standing for election or being considered for a position.
Example:Her candidacy for the party raised doubts among peers.
neutral status (n.)
A condition in which an individual or group is not aligned with any particular side.
Example:She was granted neutral status for international competitions.
subsequent (adj.)
Following in time or order; occurring afterward.
Example:The subsequent victory was celebrated by fans worldwide.
all-around (adj.)
Comprehensive; encompassing all aspects or elements.
Example:He won the all-around title after a stellar performance.
characterized (v.)
Described or portrayed by specific traits or qualities.
Example:The intelligence agency characterized her as a champion of terror.
institutional (adj.)
Relating to an institution, especially in terms of structure or policy.
Example:Institutional ties to the armed forces were evident in her background.
aggressor (n.)
A party that initiates conflict or hostile action.
Example:The aggressor state was condemned by the international community.
administrative rapprochement (n.)
A diplomatic improvement or easing of tensions between administrative bodies.
Example:The administrative rapprochement eased tensions between the federations.
broader trend (n.)
A wider pattern or movement observed across multiple contexts.
Example:This is part of a broader trend among sporting bodies worldwide.
reinstatements (n.)
The act of restoring someone or something to a previous state or position.
Example:Reinstatements of athletes were observed in other federations.
observed (v.)
Seen or noticed, often as part of a pattern or phenomenon.
Example:Reinstatements were observed in other sports organizations.
discipline (n.)
A branch of knowledge or a specific area of training or activity.
Example:Gymnastics has many disciplines, each requiring unique skills.
qualifying (adj.)
Serving as a qualification or determining eligibility for a higher level.
Example:The qualifying event determines which athletes advance to the Olympics.
sanctioned (adj.)
Officially approved or authorized by a governing body.
Example:The FIG-sanctioned events are open to all eligible competitors.
Practice C2 words in a crossword→