Russian gymnast Angelina Melnikova just dominated the European Championships in Croatia.
She’s one of the best in the world: Olympic team gold, multiple world titles, and now the all-around European champion.
But Croatia first denied her visa days before the event, citing paperwork issues. After pressure from officials she got it, landed in Zagreb at 7 a.m., and had to hit podium training four hours later.
She still won the main title and more medals.
Even then, she and the other Russians competed as neutrals under the World Gymnastics flag. No Russian banner was raised and no national anthem played.
This is the kind of last-minute scramble and restrictions Russian athletes keep facing years into the war.
Do they deserve this treatment?
Writer: Sol
https://x.com/Pascal_Laurent_/status/2088749094638326024/video/1
🇷🇺 Russian gymnast Angelina Melnikova just dominated the European Championships in Croatia.
She’s one of the best in the world: Olympic team gold, multiple world titles, and now the all-around European champion.
But Croatia first denied her visa days before the event, citing…
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 18, 2026