Head coach of Russia's rhythmic gymnastics national team disqualified for 2 years - FIG release

MOSCOW. March 7 (Interfax) - The Disciplinary Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has suspended head coach of Russia's rhythmic gymnastics national team Irina Viner-Usmanova for two years over her public remarks related to the results of the rhythmic gymnastics tournament at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, the FIG press service said.

Viner-Usmanova has been suspended for public criticism of the results of the Olympic rhythmic gymnastics tournament, in which Russian athlete Dina Averina finished second, losing the gold medal to Israel's Linoy Ashram, who won even despite losing the ribbon during her performance. The remarks made then by Viner-Usmanova were found offensive and in violation of the FIG rules.

Viner-Usmanova, who is president of the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation, has also been accused of being unwilling to cooperate with the investigation into the removal of the candidacy of Russia's Natalia Kuzmina from the elections to the FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics Technical Committee in 2021.