World Gymnastics announced Monday that it is lifting its restrictions on athletes from Russia and Belarus, effective immediately.

“The [Executive Committee] has decided to lift all restrictions applicable to Russian and Belarusian athletes since February 2022, with immediate effect,” the Executive Committee news bulletin for May reads. “The FIG Ad-Hoc rules are therefore no longer in force.”

Russian and Belarusian athletes haven’t been able to fully compete in World Gymnastics-sanctioned competitions across all disciplines since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

After an initial blanket ban, an Authorized Neutral Athlete (AIN) system was set up to allow athletes who have remained neutral and not supported the war to go through an approval process in order to compete. Those athletes could not wear Russian or Belarusian colors or flags, and they couldn’t use their national anthem.

All of those rules are now null and void. Athletes from the countries who were previously unable to obtain AIN status can now compete.

World Gymnastics did not provide a reason for its sudden decision beyond the statement above, but other international sports federations have begun lifting their restrictions as well, like World Aquatics and United World Wrestling.

“The Russian Gymnastics Federation welcomes the decision of World Gymnastics to fully restore the rights of Russian athletes, returning them the opportunity to perform under the national flag and with the national anthem,” President of the Russian Gymnastics Federation Oleg Belozerov said in a statement. “This is an important step towards strengthening the unity of the world gymnastic community and protecting the interests of athletes. I would like to personally thank the president of the organization Morinari Watanabe for his consistent position, constructive approach, and support for the principles of open international sports.”

Analysis: What does World Gymnastics’ decision mean for the sport?

In the short term, this means gymnastics fans will see Russian and Belarusian athletes back in competition with their normal uniforms/flags/anthems. In the long term, this is setting up a return to relevance for Russian gymnastics on the international stage at the world and Olympic levels.

Russia’s Angelina Melnikova most notably competed as an AIN athlete at the 2025 artistic world championships, winning three medals – gold in the all-around and on vault and silver on bars. AIN athletes also dominated the field at the 2025 Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships, winning 10 total medals, four gold.

Russia has historically been a gymnastics powerhouse across disciplines. While this decision by World Gymnastics will undoubtedly be controversial, the competition on the field of play is likely to improve.