The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) has joined calls for the Federation International de Gymnastique (FIG) to reverse its decision to block Northern Ireland gymnasts from competing at this year's Commonwealth Games.
Rhys McClenaghan, Eamon Montgomery and Ewan McAteer have been told they cannot compete in Birmingham because they represent Ireland in FIG events.
Commonwealth Games NI have labelled the ruling as "incomprehensible" and vowed to appeal the decision, while 2018 gold medallist McClenaghan has also spoken out against the ban.
Read more: Man City boss Guardiola encouraged by Northern Ireland teen's progress
The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) Athletes’ Commission voiced its disappointment at the ruling.
In a statement , the OFI said: "The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) Athletes’ Commission is disappointed to learn of the decision by Federation International de Gymnastique (FIG), whereby Northern Irish athletes, including Olympian Rhys McClenaghan, have been informed of their ineligibility to represent Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games later this year and calls for review and reversal of this decision.
"Rhys McClenaghan is from Northern Ireland, is the 2018 Commonwealth Games Champion, and competed for Ireland in the Tokyo Olympics.
"Besides the relevance of the Good Friday agreement for the people of Northern Ireland, the FIG is out of line with other sports on this matter where athletes from Northern Ireland can choose to represent either Team Ireland or Team GB internationally, as well as representing Northern Ireland at Commonwealth Games.
"This principle is accepted fully by both Gymnastics Ireland and British Gymnastics as well as the Olympic Federation of Ireland across all sports.
"At the heart of FIG, as outlined in their mission statement, is a commitment to upholding and promoting the health and well-being of athletes, and inclusiveness.
"The OFI Athletes’ Commission is calling on FIG to reverse its decision based on the specific realities of Northern Ireland, and the welfare of the athletes implicated."
Meanwhile, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has suggested two options to resolve the ongoing dispute, including Northern Ireland's gymnasts renouncing the Irish nationality on their gymnastics licence if they wish to compete at this summer's Games.
The body has also suggested that the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) removes the relevant gymnastics competitions from the FIG calendar.
FIG said in a statement released on Friday: "The main rationale for this decision is a violation of the FIG Statutes and rules: gymnasts taking part in any international competition sanctioned by the FIG must have a valid FIG license of the national federation they represent.
"In 2017, the FIG had already informed Gymnastics Ireland, along with British Gymnastics, in writing, that gymnasts and judges under the IRL [Ireland] national federation registration with the FIG were not eligible for the Commonwealth Games.
"The FIG realises the challenges this situation brings for all stakeholders and suggested the following options: The first option would be to remove the competition from the FIG calendar of registered competitions, at the request of the CGF.
"The second option would be for the athletes to change their FIG license nationality registration. The FIG awaits an official decision on the options suggested.
"In the meantime, the FIG will not make any further comments."
Read more: Derry GAA fans united in praise for Ulster final song
Read more: Roy Keane's warm gesture to dying teen after request from Martin McGuinness
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
