Flag scandal: Romania kicks Russian gymnasts out of World Cup event
Tournament to proceed without flag of the aggressor state (photo: Instagram)
The mayor of the Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca has banned Russian gymnasts from using their flag and anthem at the World Challenge Cup. As a result of this ultimatum, the Russian team was forced to demonstratively leave the tournament.
RBC-Ukraine reports on the scandal involving Russian athletes in Romania.
Ultimatum from the mayor
The scandal erupted around the position of Cluj-Napoca mayor Emil Boc. Although in mid-May the Executive Committee of World Gymnastics decided to lift restrictions for athletes from the Russian Federation, local authorities refused to implement these rules.
Emil Boc stated that the new rules have no retroactive effect, as the agreement to host the tournament was signed before they were adopted. The mayor insisted on following the regulations that were in force at the time of the agreement, meaning a full ban on the use of the Russian flag and anthem.
Withdrawal through boycott
Facing the impossibility of competing under their national symbols, the Russian side decided not to participate.
As a result, the tournament, which will run from June 26 to 28, will take place without the Russian national team.
Earlier, we reported that FIFA allowed Russia to participate in the new World Cup.
