Russian athletics in the near future may face another serious problem. In connection with the current state of affairs, more and more athletes are thinking about changing their sports citizenship, both titled and young, who have not yet performed at major competitions. The reason for this may be the refusal of the International Athletic Federation (World Athletics) to issue neutral status to athletes, caused by non-payment of a fine by the All-Russian Athletics Federation (VFLA).
The possible change of citizenship was even announced by the world champion in the 110 meters hurdles Sergey Shubenkov. He said that he admits such an opportunity if he no longer has other ways to compete.
“Changing the national team is a very difficult issue. I do not want to move anywhere. I really like where I live. Living in Russia is my smart choice. If I have no hope, I will also work towards changing citizenship, ”said Shubenkov on Match TV.
Earlier, the current world champion in pole vaulting Angelica Sidorova announced a likely transfer to another team. At the same time, the jumper emphasized that for now she continues to count on her being able to obtain neutral status or re-appear under the Russian flag, so this decision will be an extreme measure.
“I’m not considering the option of performing under the flag of another country, but I can’t say no, because the situation is complicated. Four years ago, before the Olympic Games in Rio, I could not even imagine that I would think about it. Then I was categorically against <...> There are practically no hopes for the summer, but I hope that by the winter we can do something. Because there are some plans and opportunities, and I hope that we can somehow implement them, ”Sidorova told Match-TV.
In the same vein, the most titled Russian athlete at the moment, Maria Lasitsken, spoke out. Despite the fact that before she categorically rejected the possibility of changing citizenship, now the three-time world champion in high jumps is thinking about moving to another team.
“In today's conditions, it is impossible to exclude any option for my further actions, including leaving the team. I’m tired of the lawlessness that has been happening over the past five years, the impunity and inaction of the leaders of our sports who do not properly protect pure athletes, ”said Lasickene.
But pole vaulter Matvey Volkov is already looking for a new team. The 16-year-old athlete, the holder of the youth world record, can start performing under the new flag next winter. This was stated by his father and coach, Olympic silver medalist Konstantin Volkov.
“I have already consulted with lawyers. After all, my son does not have Russian sports citizenship, he has never played for the national team at international starts, so he can immediately get it. The fact that Matvey Volkov is on the list of candidates for the Russian national team for 2020 is also not evidence of his Russian sports citizenship. We are already dealing with these issues, because there is nothing to wait, the punishment against our federation will only be toughened. I don’t intend to speak for which country Matvey plans to speak for, but I’m sure that this will happen already in the coming winter season, ”Volkov said.
Currently, the VFLA is in danger of being completely expelled from World Athletics due to the fact that the Federation did not pay a fine in the Danil Lysenko case before July 1. The organization requested a deferral to provide $ 6.31 million, but was refused. Now the further fate of the VFLA and Russian athletes who have suspended the issuance of neutral status will be determined at the Council of the International Federation, which will meet in late July. In the event that a negative decision is made, VFLA will still have the opportunity to challenge it in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
According to the Minister of Sports Oleg Matytsin, changing citizenship for athletes is not a way out of the situation. He recalled the need to comply with the three-year quarantine when moving from one team to another.
“We respect any decision of our athletes. But they must understand that for three years they will not be able to compete in international competitions under the flag of their new country. I don’t understand what athletes will gain by changing citizenship in this way. They definitely won’t be able to take part in the Olympic Games. We are doing everything to protect the status of neutral athletes of our athletes, ”said Matytsin.
At the same time, Konstantin Volkov noted the opportunity for his son to represent another country without undergoing mandatory quarantine. He noted that in the event of a complete exclusion of VFLA, all athletes will have the right to play in other countries.
“I carefully studied the rules. There is a footnote according to which, due to special circumstances, the World Athletics Council may consider the matter personally. And as a result, significantly reduce the quarantine period - even to allow the athlete to speak immediately. There is another second option. If a federation is completely expelled from WA, all of its athletes become freelance artists. They can easily receive sports citizenship of another country. At the end of July, they certainly will not exclude us. Only WA Congress can do this, and its meeting in January 2021, ”Volkov Sr. recalled in a conversation with Sport Express.
According to Olympic champion Tatyana Lebedeva, Russian athletes need to wait for the final decision of WA before taking further steps.
“Matvey Volkov may lose three years, but at least he will be able to speak at official starts. Or he can wait and hope, but they have also been waiting and hoping for five years, and things are still there. I am sure that thoughts about changing citizenship come not only to Matthew, but also to other young athletes who could very well gain experience and progress, but they don’t have such an opportunity. Concrete steps will begin after the decision of the World Athletics Council. It is possible that the neutral status will still remain, and Volkov will be able to apply for it, ”Lebedeva said in an interview with RT.
The former athlete added that experienced athletes also deserve the opportunity to compete under a different flag, as many of them have already won victories in the Russian team before being removed.
“We must ask for forgiveness from Lasickene, Shubenkov and Sidorova. For five years they have been actively speaking, traveling to all levels, beating all the bells, talking about the impasse in which athletics found themselves, but we did not take any practical steps. More precisely, we took ten steps towards World Athletics, and then one such big step back that we are still fined. Before 2015, they all recouped the money spent on their preparation, won the world and European championships, put such medals in the piggy bank of the Russian team that few could have won in their careers, ”said Lebedeva.
The Olympic champion admitted that she will support any decision made by Russian athletes. She recalled that many had already missed the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and did not deserve not to go to Tokyo too.
“Even if they decide something, then I am completely on their side. The athlete's life is short, and they have already been deprived of the last Olympics. Athletes are at risk of injury, are under great pressure. I am surprised how they could still play and defend the positions of athletes. Whatever decision Lasickene, Shubenkov and Sidorova make, I support them. They deserve to do what they do, ”said Lebedeva.