“The mass departure of Russian girls to the Syrian national team seemed very strange and wrong” – State Duma Deputy

Olympic champion in speed skating, deputy of the State Duma Svetlana Zhurova told that the information about the mass transfer of Russian athletes to the Syrian national team seemed very strange and implausible.

On the Algiers Pan Arab Games website, seven Russian athletes were announced as members of the Syrian national team in badminton, cycling, athletics, swimming, judo and artistic gymnastics. Later, the press service of the Russian Ministry of Sports told that judoka Milana Mugu and gymnast Alexandra Maksimova officially represent the Syrian national team, and for the rest of the athletes, the information given on the website of the tournament are not true.

– For two Russian athletes, there is a confirmation from the Ministry of Sports that they are allowed to play for the Syrian national team, that’s one thing. But such a massive move, especially of some girls, to an Arab country seemed very strange, wrong, Zhurova told .

President of the Russian Cycling Federation Vyacheslav Ekimov said earlier that cyclists Tatyana and Daria Malkova had been announced for the tournament on a private initiative, they will return to Russia in the near future.