In the most recent update regarding attendance at the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Congress set to take place a month from now in Istanbul, is that Italy has joined five other nations in declining an invitation to make an appearance. Italy joins Ukraine, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania and Norway in the boycott and is, by far, the biggest nation to withdraw.
In an open letter to all European National Gymnastics organizations, Italy wrote: “Dear European friends of Gymnastics, The Italian Gymnastics Federation does support the line adopted by other European Gymnastics Federations to the declaration agreed by Ministers of Sport, or their equivalent, from the 25 countries of the European Union and also numerous non-European countries, with the endorsement of the Italian Olympic Committee, in total solidarity with the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation, and does declare it will not take part in the 84th FIG Congress.”
Out of 143 nations that were invited to FIG Congress, 130 have already registered according to Russian news agency TASS. It does appear that with so many countries still planning to participate, the show will go on, but with Italy being such a big country to voice its opinion on the violence in Ukraine and its unwillingness to be in the presence of Russian and Belarusian officials, there is potential for more large scale nations to pull out.
Although a strong gymnastics nation like China or the United States would likely have more of an impact with declining an invitation, Italy’s stance may encourage other nations to withdraw their registration for the event.
Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation President Vasily Titov still plans on attending stating to TASS, “The International Gymnastics Federation includes 143 countries, 130 have already registered. This means that the Congress is competent, it will take place and make all the necessary decisions despite our colleagues in sport trying to overly politicize the situation with the participation of the Russian and Belarusian delegations.”
Italy’s letter concluded with a plea for the fighting in Ukraine to end. “With the hope that this atmosphere of war may cease as soon as possible, since only if we are all at peace can we be fully part of the great Olympic Family,” it reads. Hopefully other nations will share the same feelings and make a stand in solidarity with Ukraine and pull out of the event.
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