The Cyprus Gymnastics Federation said it will investigate after Cypriot rhythmic gymnastics judge Evangelia Trikomiti was banned for four years for manipulating scores at the European Championships in May last year to ensure her compatriot qualified for the Paris Olympics.

“As the Cyprus Gymnastics Federation, we acknowledge the decision made by the Ethics Foundation. We have taken note of this ruling and will thoroughly review it,” federation secretary general Christodoulos Photiou said in a press release.

He added that “we are committed to taking all necessary actions in accordance with the law and ensuring that the appropriate measures are implemented.”

Meanwhile, a statement was issued by Trikomiti, saying she “does not accept the findings of the Disciplinary Commission and will appeal this wrong and unjustified decision.”

“The disciplinary proceedings against her, brought by the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation, were flawed from the outset. They were based on a partial and incomplete investigation and relied on concocted evidence,” the statement said.

It added that “Trikomiti has been a judge for many years without any complaint, let alone sanction.”

“She has worked hard to ensure that all competitions are judged fairly, independently and without bias and she fully intends to continue this work when her appeal is concluded,” the statement said.

The Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF), created by the sport’s Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) governing body, investigated the case and found that Trikomiti had altered scores in favour of gymnast Vera Tugolukova.

Russian-born Tugolukova, who began competing for Cyprus at the end of 2022, clinched the final European qualifying spot for the Paris Games, finishing ahead of Poland’s Liliana Lewinska.

Tugolukova carried the Cyprus flag at the Games’ closing ceremony.

Trikomiti, president of the Superior Jury at the competition, was found to have “unduly interfered” with the judges’ work, after which the Polish Gymnastics Federation and some members of the judges panel made allegations of wrongdoing to the GEF.

“Evangelia Trikomiti is declared ineligible for a period of four years of all gymnastics-related activities excluding coaching activities, starting on the date of notification of this decision,” the GEF said on Thursday.

“Evangelia Trikomiti’s FIG Judge Brevet is annulled. European Gymnastics is held responsible for the offence committed by Evangelia Trikomiti.”

The GEF ordered European Gymnastics to pay €8,000 for the reimbursement of investigative costs. European Gymnastics acknowledged the decision and said it would consult lawyers before considering an appeal.

Tugolukova finished in 16th place in the individual all-around competition in Paris.

The GEF said it could not stop the 16-year-old from competing in the Olympics because it was not a ‘field of play’ decision.

The Cyprus Gymnastics Federation (CGF) said it acknowledged and would “thoroughly review” the GEF’s ruling.

“We are committed to taking all necessary actions in accordance with the law and ensuring that the appropriate measures are implemented,” the CGF said.

It is not the first time that gymnastics has had to contend with improper judging, with the World Championships in 1966 and the 1964 Olympics among notable competitions where questions were raised about the judging.