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Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation President banned for two years after Tokyo 2020 protest
![Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation President banned for two years after Tokyo 2020 protest](/files/2023/1/1200x630/167817699319201007_1200x630.jpg)
Baku, March 7, AZERTAC
Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation President Irina Viner has been banned by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) for two-years for her behaviour following the Olympic Games in Tokyo when Israel's Linoy Ashram beat Dina Averina to the gold medal in the individual event and Bulgaria won the group event, according to insidethegames.biz.
The proceedings launched by the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF) were related to the alleged retaliatory withdrawal of Natalya Kuzmina's candidacy in the elections to the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Technical Committee in 2021 shortly after the Olympics in the Japanese capital.
Public statements in the media after the defeat of the Russian rhythmic gymnastics team Tokyo 2020 were deemed as offensive and violating FIG rules.
Viner is not allowed to participate or receive accreditation in international competitions, including work as a coach, head of delegation or other official role in an international competition in any event under the auspices of the FIG for a period of two years.
The punishment will not begin until one day after Russia's current ban from international competition, imposed last year following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, is lifted, provided that these measures of the FIG are lifted within five years from the date of this decision.
Russia withdrew Kuzmina's candidacy in the elections after Viner criticised her for judging at the Olympics when Russia failed to win an Olympic gold medal in rhythmic gymnastics for the first time since Atlanta 1996.