The Croatian government has banned representatives from Russia and Belarus from using flags, national anthems and other national symbols at the 2026 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Zagreb. Russian and Belarusian athletes, as well as members of their delegations, will only be able to take part in the competition without national identifiers, Ukrinform reported, citing Suspilne Sport.
Briefly about the main points
- Croatia has banned Russian and Belarusian symbols at Euro 2026.
- The restrictions apply to flags, national anthems and other national symbols.
- Athletes and members of the delegations were allowed to take part without displaying any symbols.
- European Gymnastics has stated that it respects the decision of the Croatian authorities.
- The women’s tournament begins on 13 August, and the men’s on 19 August.
Participation without national representation
The Croatian Ministry of Tourism and Sport has confirmed the conditions for participation Russian and Belarusian athletes and members of the delegations: they will not be permitted to wear any national insignia. The European Gymnastics Union has stated that it respects the decision of the host country’s government.
Thus, the Croatian conditions do not rule out the very possibility of representatives from the two countries taking part in a specific tournament, but they separate this from the right to public national representation. The initial European Gymnastics fixtures for the competition in Zagreb had previously listed the national teams of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
The tournament will take place in August
The European Artistic Gymnastics Championships will take place at Arena Zagreb in two stages. The women’s competitions are scheduled for 13–16 August, and the men’s for 19–23 August. The programme includes events for both seniors and juniors, and this will be the first time Zagreb has hosted such a continental championship.
The eligibility context changed in the spring: on 18 May, World Gymnastics lifted the restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes that had been introduced after February 2022. European Gymnastics subsequently announced its intention to follow the international federation’s decision. At the same time, Croatia’s ban means that the organisers will likely have to adapt the ceremonial, information and accreditation procedures to the new conditions.
European Gymnastics’ position has changed
In December 2023, the General Assembly of European Gymnastics refused to allow athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus to return to continental competitions. In November 2025, the organisation approved their return from 1 January 2026, subject to the conditions set by the FIG.
Following World Gymnastics’ decision in May, the Executive Committee of European Gymnastics announced the lifting of its own restrictions. The extraordinary General Assembly convened to consider this matter has been postponed; it had been scheduled to take place no later than 3 August.
