The European champion noted the motivation of the gymnasts of the Russian Federation after being admitted to the anthem tournaments

The motivation level of Russian gymnasts is "off the charts" after the decision to allow athletes to compete under their own flag and anthem. This was announced to Izvestia on May 18 by two-time European champion in gymnastics, Honored Master of Sports Emin Garibov.

"Everything was coming to this, a lot of work was being done. <...> I think the motivation level of our gymnasts will go through the roof. Now they will enter the arena with new strength, with new emotions and with their heads held high and win medals under their anthem," he said.

Garibov noted that before, standing on a pedestal and hearing the Russian national anthem, it was impossible to imagine that it could be any other way. The Master of Sports expressed the hope that other international sports federations would "loosen their grip" and make similar decisions.

On the same day, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) allowed Russian athletes to participate in international tournaments with a flag and anthem. The solution applies to athletic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline jumping, athletic acrobatics, and athletic aerobics.

Anna Pavlova, a Russian and Azerbaijani gymnast, two-time Olympic bronze medalist and Honored Master of Sports of Russia, noted that allowing gymnasts from Russia to compete with symbols would have a positive impact on their performances. According to her, the restrictions impose a certain burden on athletes — the lack of full support from the audience and the not very good attitude of colleagues make it difficult to achieve high results.

Mikhail Degtyarev, Head of the Russian Ministry of Sports and President of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), also congratulated all types of gymnastic disciplines on restoring their integrity. Degtyarev pointed out that the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation intends to return all Russian athletes to the international start.