Gymnastics

FIG's endorsing of Melnikova raises eyebrows, as does its president's embrace of pro-invasion star Nagornyy

- Tumaini Carayol

Upon his arrival in Moscow this month, Morinari Watanabe, the president of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), made a curious decision. As he emerged for meetings, Watanabe was greeted by the gymnast Nikita Nagornyy. The pair embraced before the cameras.

Across his decade on the Russian men's national team, Nagornyy established himself as one of the great gymnasts of his generation. A former world all-around champion, he led Russia to the men's team gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. His eponymous triple back pike remains an audacious athletic feat.

He is also one of the most odious characters in the sport. Having built a significant presence on social media as a YouTuber, Nagornyy gained a role in the Kremlin's war propaganda machine. After joining the National Guard of Russia in 2016, he was appointed head of the paramilitary group Yunarmiya, also known as the Young Army, between 2020 and 2024.

Over the past three years, Nagornyy's Youth Army aids Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a significant propaganda tool for the Kremlin – the gymnast publicly sent gifts to Russian soldiers on the frontlines – and it has marched in various pro-war parades across Russia. The organisation also trains future recruits for the Russian army and facilitates the abduction of Ukrainian children in occupied territories, "re-educating" them for war against their homeland.