Head coach Valentina Rodionenko told Russia’s official state news agency TASS that her athletes have come together for a training camp at Krugloye Lake.

Russian gymnasts remain excluded from participation in International Gymnastics Federation events in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

But Rodionenko said the team are hoping to feature in the European Championships, scheduled to be held from April 11 to 16 in Turkey, and World Championships, due to take place from September 29 to October 8, with an eye on Paris 2024 qualification.

"On January 5, our first training camp in the New Year started at the Krugloye Lake base, to which the national team arrived in full force," Rodionenko told TASS.

"Nikita Nagornyy, Artur Dalaloyan, Angelina Melnikova - everyone began to prepare.

"The athletes had hope that they will have the opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Games, so everyone got down to business from the first training camp.

"And young gymnasts do not need to be motivated, they work at full strength and want to compete with the strongest."

Rodionenko said the team were preparing for the Russian Championship, due to be held from March 6 to 12 in Kazan, before focusing on the European Championships.

"The most important thing for us is to get the opportunity to perform at the European Championship in April," said Rodionenko.

"Only after participating in this tournament will we be able to start at the autumn World Championship, which will be the last team licenses for the Olympic Games in Paris have been raffled off."