Dutch Visa Refusals Keep Russian Gymnasts Out of Rotterdam World Championships

The Netherlands has refused visas to three of Russia's leading gymnasts, including reigning world all-around champion Angelina Melnikova, keeping them out of the world gymnastics championships that begin in Rotterdam on 17 October 2026. The event doubles as the first qualifier for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, so the decision affects far more than one delegation at one meeting.

Key facts

• Russia announced on 13 October 2026 that three top gymnasts had been denied visas.
• Those affected are Angelina Melnikova, Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Viktoria Listunova and Anna Kalmykova.
• Other Russian athletes were cleared, including all five members of the men's team, but the whole delegation is arriving late.
• The world championships take place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, starting 17 October 2026.
• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) lifted its ban on Russia in July.

What happened with the visas?

Russia said on 13 October 2026 that Melnikova, Listunova and Kalmykova — a member of Russia's gold-medal team at the European championships — had been denied visas for the championships. The rest of the Russian party was cleared, but every athlete is arriving after several days of uncertainty about whether they would be allowed to compete.

The Russian gymnastics federation said on its official Telegram channel that the refusals were direct discrimination against Russian athletes and a breach of equal conditions for Olympic selection. The Netherlands has not, in the material available here, set out its reasons for refusing the three visas.

Why does it matter for LA28 qualifying?

Without Melnikova, Listunova and Kalmykova, Russia's women's team goes from favourite for the team title to a longshot for the podium — and therefore for a place in Los Angeles. The IOC lifted its suspension of Russia, imposed over the war on Ukraine, in July, leaving each international federation to decide whether to readmit Russian teams.

Qualification for LA28 picks up speed in the coming months, and the dispute has raised the concern that other host countries could shape competition fields through visa decisions. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on 12 October 2026 that proposals would be put forward on sustaining Russia's isolation in global sport.

What have the governing bodies said?

The IOC said that "visa decisions remain the sovereign responsibility of individual governments", while stating that it works within its remit to help international federations and national Olympic committees facilitate athletes' participation, including on visas.

World Gymnastics said the granting of visas is decided solely by the Dutch authorities, and expressed regret over the impact on the Russian delegation's preparations and the confusion in the championships community. A gymnast from Israel was barred from last year's worlds in Indonesia because of the war in Gaza, and China is due to host next year's world gymnastics championships.

What this means for travellers

Athletes, officials and team staff travelling to championships and Olympic qualifying events remain subject to host-country visa decisions, which the IOC treats as sovereign. The Russian delegation's late arrival shows that visa outcomes can stay uncertain until close to an event, so travel plans for such trips should be checked early against the host country's requirements.

The world championships run in Rotterdam from 17 October 2026, with LA28 qualification continuing in the months ahead.