Melnikova wins European all-around gold after Croatia’s visa reversal
Russian gymnast Angelina Melnikova won the individual all-around at the European Championships in Zagreb, securing her first such title. It was the first time in five years that Russian gymnasts competed at the event, and they did so under neutral status.
Visa reversal opens door
Croatian officials had initially refused visas to nine Russian athletes who wanted to compete in Zagreb. A few days before the start of the tournament, however, they changed their decision and allowed four of them in: Angelina Melnikova, Anna Kalmykova, Leila Vasilyeva and Alexey Usachev.
All-around triumph
Melnikova went on to win the individual all-around at the European Championships in artistic gymnastics, scoring 55.932 points. Kalmykova finished second on 54.632, while France’s Elena Colas took bronze with 53.966. The women’s competition covered uneven bars, balance beam, vault and floor exercise.
Historic title
This all-around victory is a first for Melnikova at European level. It adds to her previous continental golds: team events in 2016 and 2018, floor exercise in 2017 and uneven bars in 2021. That brings her total to five European titles. She is also an Olympic gold medallist from the 2020 team event and a three-time world champion.
Neutral status
The championships mark the first time in five years that Russian gymnasts have taken part in the European Championships. They competed under a neutral flag.
The women’s tournament runs in Zagreb from August 13 to 16, with the men’s competition scheduled for August 19 to 23.
