Russia's Return to the International Cultural and Sports Agenda: What the Gymnasts' Neutral Status and the 'Nol Plyus' Festival Offer?

The catalyst for this comeback has been two steps towards external audiences: the participation of Russian gymnasts in the October Club World Championship in Tokyo under a neutral status, as reported by Sport.ru, and the launch of the XII International 'Nol Plyus' Festival in Tyumen, featuring 200 films from 30+ countries and the 'Cinema Pedagogy' forum, as announced by the region's culture department.

When and Where Can Russian Gymnasts First Compete Under a Neutral Status?

The first appearance is possible in October at the Rhythmic Gymnastics Club World Championship in Tokyo, where Russian athletes are registered with neutral status, as clarified by Tsargrad. Concurrently, the FIG has not included Russian gymnasts in the lineup for the 2025 World Championships, as reported by Sport.ru, noting that the Tokyo tournament will be the first after a forced four-year hiatus.

What does Lala Kramarenko Say About the Return and Neutral Status?

Kramarenko confirms the move towards obtaining neutral status and expects to return to competitions after her recovery. Her statements, as quoted by Sport.ru, indicate that the athlete is undergoing full-scale rehabilitation, intends to get neutral status, and plans to compete this year. Previously, she won the BRICS Games in the individual all-around and with the ribbon, and underwent knee surgery in January 2025, as pointed out by the same publication.

"Everything is going well in principle, recovery is proceeding at full speed… Of course, I hope that after returning to the gym, I will be able to go and get neutral status, as I don't have it yet. But I hope that it will appear in the near future."

What Will the 'Nol Plyus' Festival Offer and How is it Relevant to the BRICS Agenda?

The festival in Tyumen, running from Oct. 5 to 12, showcases 200 films from over 30 countries and hosts the VIII International 'Cinema Pedagogy' forum with participation from educators and experts from Russia and BRICS countries. Many works are being shown in Russia for the first time, as noted by the region's government information center and reported by regional authorities.

As festival president Nikolay Dann emphasized, moderators will accompany screenings, fostering a "dialogue space" between the audience and creators.

"We will be showing films for seven days with our moderators, who will ask questions and build a dialogue space."

What Tactical Steps are Already Available to Participants and Organizers?

Registration for offline screenings and masterclasses is open, and broadcasts of films and events are available on the 'Nol Plyus' festival's online cinema, as reported by the regional information center. For gymnasts, the key task is to promptly secure neutral sports status, as mentioned by Kramarenko, aiming for a swift return to international competitions in Tokyo.