Nina Derwael. — © BELGIUM
It now seems almost certain that no Russians will participate in the Olympic gymnastics tournament. After all, they are not registered for the World Cup in Cairo. Good news for Nina Derwael, but… she is not registered herself. That could still change.
Just a quick refresher: for the time being, no Belgian or Russian gymnastics girls have been placed for this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. For the Russians, this all has to do with the war in Ukraine. In gymnastics they are only allowed under a neutral flag if they meet strict conditions and have no links with the army. The gymnastics federation FIG published this week a list of athletes admitted as ‘neutrals’, which includes thirty Belarusians, but not a single Russian. This list can be adjusted at any time.
But if the Russian gymnasts want to compete in Paris, they must first qualify. They are not welcome at the European Championships and so only the World Cups remain as an opportunity for qualification. Well, the list of participants for that first World Cup in Cairo (15-18 February) has been published and it contains three Belarusians, but no Russians. The names on that list can still be changed until February 5, but the number of places per country is fixed. This means that the door now seems to be definitively closed for Russian gymnasts. Although you never know in such a politically charged file.
Rusland pakte goud in Tokio met (left to right) Vladislava Urazova, Angelina Melnikova, Viktoriia Listunova en Liliia Akhaimova. — © EPA-EFE
No Derwael for the time being
As expected, the list of participants for Cairo includes four Belgian girls: Lisa Vaelen, Maellyse Brassart, Erika Pinxten and Aberdeen O’Driscoll. So no Nina Derwael. But as mentioned, those names can still change and perhaps they will change. After all, Team Belgym will hold selection moments on January 28 and February 2 and will only announce the quartet on February 5, the day of the deadline. Each country may have two gymnasts compete on each apparatus.
Cairo will be the first of four World Cups, followed later by Cottbus, Baku and Doha. Based on the final ranking (the best three results count), two tickets for Paris will be awarded per aircraft. Without Russians, the Belgians have a real chance there. This also applies to Dorien Motten from Bilzen, who is registered under the Georgian flag. She has now raised more than 2,500 euros with her crowdfunding.
Dorien Motten with Georgian flag. — © Loïc Picchio
For Nina Derwael, the World Cups are on paper the most feasible way to still qualify for Paris and defend her Olympic title there. The condition, of course, is that she gets into shape in time after her shoulder operation in September. If she does not reach Cairo, she still has one qualifying opportunity: the European Championships in early May in Rimini, Italy. There she must be the all-round best of all those who have not yet qualified for Paris at that time. (mc)