Air travel disruptions caused by a volcanic ash cloud over Europe are affecting Armenia’s participation in a major European sporting event being hosted in the United Kingdom.

A group of Armenian gymnasts have been unable to travel to Birmingham, via London, where they are due to take part in the continent’s championships in the sport commencing Wednesday, reports Armenian sport portal ArmSport.am citing the country’s gymnastics federation.

The recent eruption of a volcano in Iceland has caused an ash cloud over Europe, which continues to cause flights to be cancelled across Europe. London airports have also stayed closed for flights, including from Yerevan. Several other teams that are due to participate in the championships have also failed to reach the destination, leading the organizers to delay the event for one day.

ArmSport reports that the Armenian team is unlikely to get to the UK even by then as flights to European destinations from Armenia are virtually non-existent. It says that while the Federation is searching for ways to get the sportsmen to the championships, Armenia is likely to eventually decide to opt out of the tournament.

Russia, one of the favorites in the sport, is also late for the championships. The championships organizers have rejected the Russian Gymnastics Federation’s request for the sporting event to be postponed for longer than one day. It is reported that representatives of dozens of countries are ready to engage in the competitions and that the championships will begin April 22.