Olympic champion in gymnastics Melnikova was disappointed after the removal of athletes from the Russian Federation, but did not cry

Russian gymnast, champion of the 2020 Olympics in the team championship Angelina Melnikova admitted that she was seriously worried after the removal of athletes from Russia from international competitions, but it did not come to tears.

– It was not easy when we were suspended, I was worried, because the life of an athlete is short and I want to get the most out of my career. And with this suspension, it turns out that we are blocking the road. It’s hard to figure out what to do next.

Were there tears when I found out about the suspension? No, there were no tears. There was disappointment and hope that everything would be fine, I didn’t want to believe that this was happening. Now, looking at the positive dynamics in tennis, when our athletes still perform there, all our athletes in different sports, like us, hope for the best. Now there will be a selection for the World Championship, which, unfortunately, we are not going to, and this hurts, because it is also necessary to qualify for the Olympic Games, ”Melnikova told the Championship.

22-year-old Melnikova is the absolute world champion in gymnastics in the individual all-around 2021, the bronze medalist of the 2020 Olympic Games in individual all-around and floor exercises, the silver medalist of the 2016 Olympics in the team championship, two-time champion of the European Games in 2019, four-time European champion ( 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021).

Athletes from Russia were banned from participating in competitions held under the auspices of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). Also, judges and officials from the Russian Federation will not be allowed.