THE HAGUE, October 13. /TASS/. The upcoming World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam can hardly be considered a genuine international tournament without Russian top athletes who were denied entry visas to The Netherlands, Russian Ambassador to that country Vladimir Tarabrin said.
"It is hardly possible to talk about a full-fledged world championship without the participation of the top athletes. Spectators have been deprived of the opportunity to enjoy the performances of recognized masters, and gymnasts from other countries have been denied the chance to compete against the true leaders of world sports," he told TASS.
The Russian diplomat said the Dutch authorities had only discredited themselves and put the competition organizers in a difficult position.
Earlier, the press service of the Russian Gymnastics Federation reported that the Dutch embassy had refused to issue visas to Olympic champions Angelina Melnikova and Victoria Listunova, as well as Anna Kalmykova, citing their being a "threat to international relations" as a reason.
The World Artistic Gymnastics Championships will be held in Rotterdam from October 17 to 25 and will serve as the first stage of team qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.