All restrictions lifted on Russian and Belarusian gymnasts

[Sasha]

DiCello has reactivated her FIG (?) license. Jones is training, but with no clear ETA as far as we know. Shevdid post a laidout Jaegar on bars a few weeks back.

 

[RedBirdie]

Are DiCello and McClain still going for elite?

Considering she breaks if there's a slight breeze, I can't imagine McClain doing elite.

 

[Bob]

So pleased about Russia. Can't wait to see them back in all their glory.

 

[Hatsumomo]

Has Jones shown any videos or been at camp?

I feel like Russia has a few up-and-coming talents but lots of their triumphs have been at domestic meets. Melnikova can't carry the whole team or infuse experience into n00bs by osmosis. (Though China be China and there are a lot of rebuilding teams right now so they definitely have a shot if they can mostly deliver) I'm not confident in GB, Italy, or France. Or Japan's 6 months early named team. And Romania, let's not go there.

I'll be surprised if Romania qualifies full teams from this point forward.

 

[irichluck21]

I agree. If the NCAA Romanians don't come back to Euros, it is going to be a challenge for Romania to even qualify to Worlds.

 

[BB12]

Considering she breaks if there's a slight breeze, I can't imagine McClain doing elite.

She is barely making it through an NCAA season. Was held together by tape at nationals.

 

[Puffin]

I agree. If the NCAA Romanians don't come back to Euros, it is going to be a challenge for Romania to even qualify to Worlds.

Does Sabrina even have a coach?

 

[OnoNoKomachi]

Russian MAG will have Arsenii Dukhno and Danile Marinov, both AA contenders. Not that familiar with their other individuals.

Dukhno will be a rising star.

 

[MaryClare]

UEG have issued a statement saying that following a voting process from member federations, they will follow the same rules as WG and scrap all restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes. Already the start lists for next week’s RG euros has been updated

https://sportgymrus.ru/news/10193-european-gymnastics-dopustila-rossijskih-gimnastov-k-sorevnovaniyam-pod-flagom-i-c-gimnom-rossii.html

 

[Sasha]

So Russia gets to compete as Russia, complete with flag and participation in TF?

Should we expect them to roll over everyone else in WAG TF? I've been enjoying the relative parity of the team final in recent years, hah.

 

[MaryClare]

So Russia gets to compete as Russia, complete with flag and participation in TF?

Should we expect them to roll over everyone else in WAG TF? I've been enjoying the relative parity of the team final in recent years, hah.

Yes. No restrictions at euros or worlds. For euros I think Russia about probably be slight favourites but Italy has looked pretty good so it won’t be easy. It’s going to be heavily reliant on Melnikova as Listunova will be 2 events max and Kalmykova and Roschina are very inconsistent.
I’m looking forward to seeing Melnikova v Esposito for AA. I love them both.

 

[Sasha]

I’m looking forward to seeing Melnikova v Esposito for AA. I love them both.

That has the potential to be glorious.

 

[Bob]

Now I really need to go

 

[IratePanda]

Yes. No restrictions at euros or worlds. For euros I think Russia about probably be slight favourites but Italy has looked pretty good so it won’t be easy. It’s going to be heavily reliant on Melnikova as Listunova will be 2 events max and Kalmykova and Roschina are very inconsistent.
I’m looking forward to seeing Melnikova v Esposito for AA. I love them both.

Will Elena Colas also be in the mix?

 

[Sasha]

Now I really need to go

I'm so jealous if you do. Croatia + Euros sounds like an amazing combo to me, but impossible for August.

 

[KathySantoni]

Will Elena Colas also be in the mix?

She’s not the most consistent. I would rank her chances equal to Roschina and Kalmykova.

 

[irichluck21]

Colas has been pretty consistent in 2026, scoring 55 AA twice.

 

[Doug1233]

Completely random thought: If Melnikova had thrown the Cheng in the Tokyo AA - could she have won gold?

The numbers say no, but that AA panel was looser on vault than the QF/EF panels (where she scored a 14.733 and 14.7 for the Cheng). Would have been very close.

 

[irichluck21]

Her DTY went 14.633. So If she got a 14.9 for a Cheng (Andrade went 15.300 for hers) Melnikova would have beat Lee by .033 for gold. Melnikova went 14.700 with .1 ND in EF on VT. So she went 14.800 technically, so a 14.900 was not necessarily out of the question.

 

[Puffin]

Colas has been pretty consistent in 2026, scoring 55 AA twice.

Didn't both of her 55s come from French domestic meets? I would say that she isn't always consistent on FX.

She's been a bit up-and-down internationally at World Cups and Jesolo etc
VT - she has consistently scored low 13s
UB - usually a great event for her in the low-mid 14s
BB - usually mid 13s (although her scores including French meets and Italian series A range from 10s to mid 14s)
FX - mid 12s to mid 13s