ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — That sound the U.S. women are hearing is the Russians coming for them at the 2026 gymnastics world championships.

Yes, scores rise as a meet goes on and Russia benefited from more generous judging in the third-to-last qualifying session than the Americans did in the first. That, however, does not diminish what the Russians pulled off in their session on Monday, Oct. 19.

Six days after learning its two best gymnasts, including reigning world champion Angelina Melnikova, had been denied visas by the Dutch government, and two days after their last athlete arrived here, Russia’s cobbled-together lineup finished qualifying in second place, less than a point behind the Americans. And that was with Russia counting Milana Kayumova’s score on uneven bars, which was about four-tenths of a point lower than what she normally does.

Do the math, and there is a real possibility Russia could snatch the crown from the U.S. women.

“They did what they have been doing in training,” Aliya Mustafina, the 2010 world champion who is now one of Russia’s coaches, said through an interpreter.

Yes, but …

How Russia breezed through qualifying

If the Russians are fazed by the drama, however, they didn’t show it. They were composed and confident throughout qualifying, and they set themselves apart with elegant lines and gorgeous extensions. They had the highest team score on uneven bars, and outscored the Americans on balance beam.

They didn’t have to count any falls, though at least two of their routines — Kayumova on bars, Anufrieva on floor — had significant errors.

The Russians might not wind up being as close to the Americans when they’re judged directly against one another in the team final. But knowing they’re this close ought to scare the bejeezus out of the U.S. women or at least put them on notice that another world title is not a given.

Why Russia's performance matters so much

This is the first major international sporting event in four-plus years that Russia has been allowed to send full teams. Russia has largely been banned since the spring of 2022 due to its unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

But the International Olympic Committee provisionally ended Russia’s ban in July. Several Individual sport federations welcomed Russia back as a result or had already done so in anticipation of the IOC decision. That included World Gymnastics, which lifted its ban in May.

Not everyone is happy about this, especially in western Europe. Dutch officials refused to issue visas for Melnikova; Viktoria Listunova, a Tokyo Olympic gold medalist; and Anna Kalmykova, citing unspecified “security” reasons. The Russians protested, but World Gymnastics, local organizers and even the IOC said their hands were tied. So Russia began pressing alternates and reserves into service to get a full five-person team.

Four got their visas in time to be here for podium training Friday, Oct. 16, but Aleksandra Anufrieva didn’t arrive until Saturday.

USA gymnastics has a worlds title streak at stake

The Americans have won every world title since 2011, and all but one Olympic gold medal going back to the London Games in 2012. The one team to beat them during the run? The last team besides the Americans to win the world title, in 2010, also the last time worlds were here in Rotterdam?

You guessed it. Russia in both cases.

This is an inexperienced U.S. team, with Skye Blakely the only member of the team who’s competed at a team worlds before. The Americans have also had to adjust, with Paris Olympic gold medalist Hezly Rivera withdrawing the day before their qualifying session with a bum left ankle.

Yes, there also are reinforcements coming next year. Tokyo Olympic champion Suni Lee is training and has announced plans to compete next season, worlds included. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Jade Carey, the non-traveling alternate for this world’s team after only returning to competition in June, will have another year of training under her. Shilese Jones, an all-around medalist at two worlds last quad, is expected back, too.

But none of that helps the Americans for the team final Wednesday, Oct. 21. As they saw in Tokyo, when Simone Biles had to withdraw with a case of the twisties, Russia will take advantage of any opening the U.S. women give them.

The Americans are sure to score higher in the team final than in qualifying. And Russia will need to be even better than the near-perfect day it had in qualifying.

But it’s been a long time since the U.S. women have had to fight for their crown. They had better be prepared for Russia to give them one.