Ukrainian gymnasts defiantly protested against the national anthems of Russia and Belarus during the European Gymnastics Championships in Varna, Bulgaria.
Sofiia Krainska and Varvara Chubarova accepted their medals and immediately went into protest mode. During the podium ceremony, they covered their eyes and put earphones in their ears while the Russian and Belarusian anthems played.
The protest was a result of World Gymnastics removing its ban against Russian and Belarusian athletes, which had been put in place following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine back in 2022.
Krainska won silver in the ribbon discipline, while Russia’s Iana Zaikina won gold. Belarus’ Kira Babkevich won the ball title.
Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation Explains Athlete Protest
Earlier this month, the World Gymnastics (FIG) Executive Committee lifted all restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes, paving the way for them to compete at the European Championships under their respective flags. The decision was met with dismay by Ukraine’s gymnastics federation.
After its athletes protested on the podium, UGF released a statement explaining the decision.
“Today, we closed our eyes and covered our ears. We refuse to look at the state symbols or listen to the anthems of the aggressor state and its satellite, whose combined complicity in this unprovoked war has caused so much destruction and pain,” the statement read.
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