“If athletes left during the SVO, it is not very patriotic” – Soloveichik on those who changed their sports citizenship

The President of the Russian Judo Federation, Sergei Soloveichik, stated that his organization creates such conditions for athletes that there is no point in changing their sports citizenship, and those who did this during the SVO are acting unpatriotically.

On Saturday, Makhmadbek Makhmadbekov, who previously represented Russia at competitions, announced on social media that he would now compete for the UAE. He accompanied the message with a photo of his profile on the International Judo Federation website. The sports citizenship column there lists the UAE.

— Dagestani wrestlers feel good competing for different countries.

— It is very important to know when they left. If they left before the start of the special military operation, then there was some kind of consent from the federation. But if they left during the SVO, in my opinion, this is not very patriotic and may not help them in their future careers.

Our federation creates such conditions for our athletes that there is probably no point in leaving. That is my opinion. I would not go, – the Match TV correspondent quotes Soloveichik as saying.

The 24-year-old athlete received an invitation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to participate in the Paris Olympics as a neutral. On July 3, the IOC press service reported that Makhmadbekov had accepted the offer to compete in the Games. Soloveichik then announced that Makhmadbekov had refused to participate in the Olympics.

Makhmadbekov won Grand Slam tournaments and became a prize winner at the European Youth Championship (for athletes under 23 years of age).

• “Makhmadbekov was hasty. Maybe he will come to his senses.” The head of the FDR – on the decision of the judoka to change his sports citizenship