Two Russian athletes won the first and the second places in the women’s all-around on the first day of the European Gymnastics Championship underway in Croatia.

World champion Angelina Melnikova scored the gold medal, while her teammate Anna Kalmykova received the silver. Another Russian athlete, Liudmila Roschina, narrowly missed the podium to French newcomer Elena Colas, who is now in her first senior year.

The participation of the Russian team was marred by hostile actions of Zagreb, which initially refused to provide visas to nine members of the country’s delegation, including both of the medal winners, a coach, and the team’s physician. Russian diplomats managed to secure visas for four of the affected athletes, while others remained barred from entering the country.

Apart from the visa troubles, the host country also refused to allow Russian athletes to compete under their national flag. 

The European Gymnastics association reinstated Russian athletes at competitions earlier this year, enabling them to perform under the national flag, following the ruling of the World Gymnastics federation.

Still, for the events for which hosting rights were awarded before July 28 this year, the Russian teams can be barred from displaying the country’s flag and other symbols at the host’s decision.