Angelina Melnikova (Russia)
Sport: Artistic Gymnastics
Status: Olympic champion
Angelina Melnikova shared fundraising content in support of Maria Kravchenko, whose father was killed while serving in the Russian military. In addition, Melnikova organised and promoted a so-called “charity” training session for children of Russian occupying forces.
These activities constitute explicit moral and material support for the Russian military and its personnel, exceeding any interpretation of political neutrality and directly violating international sporting standards.
Sources:
– Fundraising activities:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THCEaDr_D_o
– Charity training session for occupiers’ children:
https://ua.tribuna.com/uk/gymnastics/blogs/3083298-yak-rosijski-olimpijski-chempiony-z-gimnastyky-pidtrymuyut-vij/
– Official letter of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation:
By the Decree of the President of Ukraine No. 123/2026 of 16 February 2026 the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine was enacted, imposing sanctions on a number of Russian athletes and sports officials who justify Russia’s war against Ukraine and are involved in activities supporting the aggressor state.
https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/1232026-58345