The Artistic Gymnastics World Cup set for Doha in April has been canceled due to the current situation in the Middle East, announced the sport’s governing body. The decision not to reschedule the event was made following an urgent online vote by the executive committee of World Gymnastics. Teams withdrew their applications for the competition in the Middle East amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
No penalties will be imposed on late applications for the previous two Apparatus World Cups in Cairo and Osijek in April, according to World Gymnastics. The organization expressed solidarity with those affected by recent events and wished for a speedy return to stability in the Middle East. Additionally, adjustments to ranking calculations were approved, with the top three scores on each apparatus in five competitions determining the Apparatus World Cup Ranking list and World Championships qualification pathway for Apparatus Specialists.
The Middle East crisis has also impacted other sporting events, such as the Formula One calendar. Two races, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, have been canceled for the upcoming season due to security concerns and logistical constraints arising from the regional conflict. The decision to cancel the races was made following the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, which led to disruptions in travel and heightened security risks in the region. Several countries in the area closed their airspace in response to the military strikes initiated by the United States and Israel.
