Gymnastics begins Olympic qualification path for Los Angeles 2028

The road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics for gymnastics officially kicks off this August with a packed schedule of major international competitions. The Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships, held in Frankfurt, Germany, from August 12-16, will be the first major event to distribute Olympic qualification spots. Simultaneously, the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships will take place in Zagreb, Croatia, from August 13-16 for women and August 19-23 for men.

A significant development shaping the qualification landscape is the return of Russian gymnasts to international competition. After a ban imposed in 2022 due to Russia's aggression in Ukraine, World Gymnastics lifted restrictions in May, a decision subsequently adopted by the European Federation. This reintegration has added a new dynamic, though Russian athletes will compete without their national flag, anthem, or colors.

The Rhythmic World Championships will feature 100 individual gymnasts and 42 ensembles, with China, Russia, and Brazil identified as top contenders. Host nation Germany, along with Israel and Spain, will also be strong contenders for Olympic berths. Individual stars to watch include Germany's Darja Varfolomeev, Italy's Sofia Raffaeli, Bulgaria's Stiliana Nikolova, and Ukraine's Tasiia Onofriichuk, alongside emerging Russian talent Sofiia Ilteriakova. Spanish gymnast Alba Bautista aims for a top-18 finish after recovering from injuries.

In artistic gymnastics, the European Championships in Zagreb serve as a crucial stepping stone, not only for Olympic qualification but also for berths at the World Championships in Rotterdam later in October. The participation of Russian gymnasts faced last-minute hurdles, with Croatian authorities initially denying visas to several key athletes and staff. However, the decision was reversed, allowing some, like Olympic medalist Angelina Melnikova, to compete, though her teammate Viktoria Listunova will not attend.