“This is not welcomed now. In this situation, no one from the national team will change anything.” Russian experts abt news that 19 Russian skaters want to change sport citizenship

Russian coaches and experts commented on the information that 19 Russian skaters have applied for transfer to the national teams of other countries.

It was reported that since the beginning of the year, the FFKR has received 19 requests from skaters to change the national team.

President of the Russian Figure Skating Federation (FFKR) Alexander Gorshkov: To be honest, I do not count them, because there are quite a lot of them (requests). I can’t confirm the exact number.

source: sportsdaily.ru

Tatiana Tarasova: We don’t have to worry! Because it does not depend on us.

We cannot participate in the process of requests for a change of citizenship, unfortunately, we can only observe.

It’s wrong to give advice to every skater on changing citizenship, every person has one life, so it’s up to them to decide. Losing a job is very serious.

source: sport-express.ru

Irina Rodnina: It is not known what the names are. Age unknown. If these are young guys, this is the decision of the parents.

Can members of the national team change citizenship? Nobody knows.

I don’t think there’s any kind of disaster.

source: sport-express.ru

Alexander Zhulin: I think the trend will continue, the second-tier skaters are trying to break out somewhere, because they have no chance in Russia.

They are trying to represent other countries, any where they will be the first number, in order to perform at the European and World Championships.

We need to see how the federation, our country, will react to this, I think this is not welcomed now. I think that in this situation, no one from the team will change anything.

source: tass

Maxim Trankov: I take it easy. Athletes always moved, changed citizenship. Moreover, it happened both ways: some left Russia, some came to us.

I do not think that these are athletes who were candidates for the national team. Probably, these are those who, for one reason or another, did not have a chance to get into the national team.

I’m not afraid that this may affect the level of figure skating in Russia.

source: sport-express.ru

1999 World champion Maria Butyrskaya: Parents of skaters who do not have a chance to compete for Russia are trying to look for some options, so that their children can go to competitions.

Alas, it is not clear for how long sanctions will be imposed on Russia. If the ISU had said that they would lift the restrictions in a year, I am sure that most of the athletes from this list would not change their citizenship.

We shouldn’t forget that we are one of the most powerful countries in figure skating. Russia has a very strong federation and incredible competition. It is clear that here you can make more progress than in other places. If you are in the top in Russia, then you will be fine on the international arena.

After all, not the strongest and not the best leave. Let them try this way.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to say how the situation will develop if the ban is prolonged. It’s even hard for me to imagine what the guys are experiencing now, and to put myself in their place. But FFKR does everything for them in this situation. For example, in the new season, Grand Prix stages will be held, where it is planned to attract foreigners.

Of course, this is not the Olympics, but the skaters are no different from their colleagues from other sports. Everyone suffered. The country is trying to help people and give them the opportunity to perform and earn.

source: RT

Related topics: Alexander Gorshkov, Alexander Zhulin, Irina Rodnina, Maria Butyrskaya, Tatiana Tarasova, Tatiana Volosozhar Maxim Trankov