Zagreb to host under neutral conditions
Zagreb will host the 2026 European Gymnastics Championships with Russian and Belarusian athletes allowed to compete, but only under neutral conditions. No flags, anthems, or national emblems will be displayed during the competition. This restriction follows a Croatian government ruling against the use of aggressor-state symbols at the event.
European Gymnastics made the announcement after the Croatian authorities refused to allow national insignia from Russia and Belarus to appear at the championships. From May this year, the governing body had supported lifting restrictions placed on athletes from these countries, which had barred them from using national symbols in international events since February 2022.
Competition structure and dates
The 2026 European Championships will be divided into women’s and men’s segments. Women’s events are set for August 13 through 16, with men’s events following from August 19 to 23. Both will be held in Zagreb. The decision to disallow national symbols has drawn criticism, particularly from Ukraine and other countries aligned with its stance on the conflict in the region.
This led to a vote by European Gymnastics last July to permit the Russian flag and anthem at competitions. But Zagreb’s stance, grounded in domestic policy, means neutral branding will be the only option for athletes from Russia and Belarus at the 2026 event.