Netherlands denies visas to Russian gymnasts Melnikova and Listunova

Three top Russian gymnasts, including reigning world all-around champion Angelina Melnikova, will miss the World Championships in Rotterdam after the Netherlands refused them visas.

The Netherlands has refused visas to world all-around champion Angelina Melnikova, Tokyo 2020 team Olympic champion Viktoria Listunova and 2026 European silver medalist Anna Kalmykova ahead of the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam on Oct. 17-25, the first team qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Angelina Melnikova competing (file photo)

Rotterdam Ahoy (file photo)

The refusal notices said “one or several Schengen member states consider the athletes a threat to their international relations,” according to the Russian federation, which called it “a deliberate elimination of the strongest gymnasts.” Forty-seven of the 61 members of Russia’s delegation received visas. Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyaryov said Russia’s Olympic Committee would lobby to strip the event of its Olympic qualifying status.