Category: ethics

FIG regrets Israel denied Worlds 2025

At the Press Conference Oct. 18, 2025, it was clear that both FIG President Watanabe and Secretary General Nicolas Buompane wanted Israel to compete Worlds.

In fact — if it was up to FIG — Russia and Belarus would not have been banned.

Their argument is that sport should be independent of politics.

However, FIG is not in control of many factors. WADA decisions. IOC decisions. And, in this case, the decision of the Indonesian government last minute to disallow individuals from Israel. We were told that the team HAD visas already — but they were cancelled.

Certainly, it’s unlikely Indonesia will be awarded another FIG competition anytime soon. That’s a bit of a shame since organizers in Jakarta are doing a fantastic job.

Russia at Jakarta Worlds

Many assumed AIN 1 (Russia) would have lost something over the many months they’ve been banned from international competition.

Not so.

Having just watched them in Podium training, I anticipate AIN 1 will win the most medals of any nation at Worlds 2025.

Fantastic gymnastics regardless of what you think of Putin’s war which has killed over a million people on both sides.

Of course these young women need to HIT in front of judges in the Qualification round to get to the apparatus finals. I think they will hit.

Photo from colotl

arrived Jakarta for Worlds

Artistic Worlds are my favourite event of each year.

And the 1st Worlds of each Olympic cycle is best for me as we will likely get to know breakout stars of the quad.

2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships will be hosted in Jakarta, Indonesia from October 19–25, 2025.

FIG may regret awarding this nation as the government wouldn’t give visas to Israeli competitors at the last moment.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Gymnasts, Coaches, Judges to Jakarta

En route to World Championships 2025.

I’ll arrive October 14th.

However, Israelis were denied visas by the Indonesian government.

This decision is out of the control of FIG and meet organizers.

female gymnasts from Saudi Arabia

Having been to that nation for MAG Gymnastics courses, I’m thrilled to see female gymnasts representing The Kingdom internationally.

This cannot have been easy for these young women and their families.

Coach Elena Eremina, bronze AA at the 2017 Worlds, posted a behind the scenes vlog from Pharoah’s Cup in Egypt. Abumansoor won Saudi’s 1st ever international WAG medals.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

anti-doping regulations Jan. 1, 2026

From FIG by email:

We hereby inform you that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published the main anti-doping regulations and documentation that will come into force on 1 January 2026.

2026 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods

2026 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes

2026 Monitoring Program

Please note that a mobile-friendly digital version of the 2026 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods will be published on 1 January 2026.

Team Italy for Worlds 2025

They have a lot of depth, but I’m surprised …

Watanabe visits parents of Indonesian gymnast

I certainly respect the FIG president for making the extra journey on behalf of the worldwide Gymnastics community.

Gymnast sues Club for unsafe Pit

Level 10 gymnast Cody Bennett was injured when he landed on the edge of the foam pit training H Bar at Evolution Gymnastics Academy during an open gym, according to a $350M lawsuit.

Attorneys for the family of the Chesapeake teen are alleging a “loose foam pit” caused the boy to sustain a major spinal cord injury in 2024, resulting in his quadriplegia.

The lawsuit alleges that the gymnastics foam pit was too shallow and did not have enough foam cubes, which resulted in Cody Bennett, then 16 years old, sustaining a spinal cord injury.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

speaking to your gymnast AFTER a competition