“Everyone dreams of returning to the international scene, but the time to leave the country, I think, has passed” – Novitsky

Even if the dancing couple Diana Davis /Gleb Smolkin starts playing for the Israeli national team, this does not mean that other Russian skaters will follow their example, says European champion Sergei Novitsky.

It is difficult for me to judge. Their desire is understandable. They want to participate in major international competitions: Olympic Games, World and European Championships, Grand Prix stages. But as members of the Russian national team, Smolkin and Davis today, unfortunately, cannot afford it. No matter how anyone deals with it, the desire of athletes is understandable. From a purely human perspective, I understand Gleb and Diana.

I don’t think that even if Smolkin and Davis have the opportunity to play for Israel, other strong Russian skaters will follow them. If any of them really wanted to change their citizenship, they would have done so a long time ago. Yet the suspension of all tournaments under the auspices of the ISU lasts for almost a year. At the same time, no one keeps the guys in the country by force. It is clear that everyone dreams of returning to the international scene, but I think the moment to leave is lost,” Novitsky told RT.

Earlier, American journalist Dave Leese said Davis and Smolkin could go on to play for the Israeli national team. “More and more it looks like Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin can represent Israel,” Liz said on the latest episode of YouTube channel The Skating Lesson.

A source:

RT