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“During the ceremony, when the national anthem of the Ukrainian winner was played and the flags were displayed electronically on the screen behind the podium, Ms Sofiia Ilteriakova (“the Athlete”) did not turn to face the flags, as required by the FIG Rules for Award Ceremonies.
“AIN Athletes bear full responsibility to avoid any action that could be perceived as disrespectful or politically motivated.”
That’s from the World Gymnastics announcement on the Rhythmic World Cup incident in Sofia (BUL) on 30 March 2026, where Russian “neutral” Ilteriakova, 15, did not turn at the victory ceremony for Ukraine’s Taisiia Onofriichuk for the Hoop event.
The decision of the FIG Ad-Hoc Committee:
“Having considered all the circumstances, including the clarifications provided by the Athlete, the Ad-hoc Committee has decided to issue a warning to the Athlete. Any similar violation of the FIG Rules for Award Ceremony or any other breach of the Ad-hoc Rules committed by the Athlete will result in the withdrawal of her AIN status.”
The statement indicated such lenient treatment may not be forthcoming in the future:
“[T]his unfortunate incident has highlighted the need to clarify the protocol governing our award ceremonies, in accordance with the Olympic Charter. Work is underway to optimise both the enforcement of this protocol and its communication to all relevant parties, to ensure full compliance going forward.”
Observed: The World Gymnastics post also reiterated, “Sport must remain separate from politics” and this federation has shown significant interest in returning Russian and Belarusian athletes to competition. At present, and at least in some part thanks to the disrespectful action of Ilteriakova, that has not happened yet.
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USA Gymnastics formally confirmed Louisville, Kentucky as the site of two weeks worth of gymnastics action in 2028, including multiple events:
● 5-10 June 2028: USA Gymnastics Championships, for rhythmic gymnastics, acrobatic gymnastics, and trampoline & tumbling.
● 8-11 June 2028: USA Gymnastics XCelebration, a new “national competitive opportunity for roughly 2,000 women’s artistic gymnasts in the Xcel Platinum, Diamond, and Sapphire divisions who qualify through their respective regional meets.”
● 15-18 June 2028: Gymnastics For All Gymfest, a 600-athlete program of “group gymnastics.”
● 16-19 June 2028: U.S. Olympic Trials in artistic gymnastics for men and women, at the 22,090-seat KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, to select the American teams for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
The non-elite events will take place at the Kentucky International Convention Center; the USA Gymnastics National Congress and Trade Show will also be held during this period. A fan festival will be organized as “Fourth Street Live!” during the two weeks of programming.
Observed: This concept of bunching together as many segments of the regional and national gymnastics audience – athletes, families and fans – is a highly organized and clever way to maximize not only the athlete and fan experience, but the economic impact to the host community of Louisville.
This is a thoughtful and smart way to try and ensure as much visitation and spending in Louisville as possible and over a much longer period than just the high-profile artistic Olympic Trials.
Tickets for the Trials will go on sale in 2027 and for the other events, in 2028.
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