On October 21, 2026, Ivan Gaponenko, coach of the Russian artistic gymnastics team, revealed…

On October 21, 2026, Ivan Gaponenko, coach of the Russian artistic gymnastics team, revealed how bedbugs found in his room at the World Championships in Rotterdam led to free spa access for the entire team. After the insects were discovered, he was moved to another room, and the whole delegation was granted free use of the hotel spa until the end of the competition.

Gaponenko noted this was his first experience with such an issue, especially surprised it happened at a Hilton hotel. His bed had many bedbugs; he suggested the room might have been poorly cleaned or the insects brought by a previous guest. The coach emphasized it was fortunate the incident happened to him, not the athletes, considering their stress and travel difficulties before the competition.