Russian gymnast Angelina Melnikova misses the World Championships after her visa was denied

Anghelina Melnikova, the European artistic gymnastics champion in August, will not compete at the World Championships in Rotterdam after her visa application for the Netherlands was rejected. The Russian Gymnastics Federation announced on Tuesday that the decision affects three top athletes from the national team.

The Dutch Embassy in Moscow refused to issue visas to Anghelina Melnikova, Viktoria Listunova and Anna Kalmykova. In a statement, the Russian federation said the athletes had consequently been deprived of the opportunity to compete at the World Championships, scheduled to take place in Rotterdam from October 17 to 25.

The official reason for the refusal was not presented in the federation’s statement. According to the Dutch press, Melnikova may have been targeted because of her public activity and alleged links to the Moscow authorities’ pro-war propaganda. She reportedly published a photograph showing the St. George ribbon and the “Z” symbol associated with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The gymnast also reportedly took part in a show for the children of servicemen involved in what the Russian authorities call the “special military operation” in Ukraine. Melnikova recently stood out for her results at the European Championships, where she was crowned champion.