The winner of the Red Olympics said that through him they tried to find Russians to participate in international competitions outside the Russian Federation.

Olympic silver medalist in swimming Alexander Krasnykh on the air of the program “There is a theme!” on admitted that through him they tried to find Russian athletes to participate in international commercial competitions outside the country.

The day before, on the website of the Pan Arab Games in Algiers, seven Russian athletes were announced as members of the Syrian national team in badminton, cycling, athletics, swimming, judo and artistic gymnastics. Russian swimmer Anastasia Sorokina is also in the list of declared athletes for this tournament as a member of the Syrian national team. Sorokina later stated that she was not going to change sport citizenship and refused to speak at the Pan Arab Games.

– I know Anastasia Sorokina. I was also contacted by a person who was looking for athletes to participate in such a tournament. I did not make contact. I did not specify what type of competition. Probably commercial. We spoke with Sorokina, but nothing special.

They inquired with me about two months ago. But the athletes refused, partly because of the federations, partly because of personal convictions. They tried to use me as an agent, but I found no interest in myself,” Krasnykh told on-air .

The press service of the Russian Ministry of Sports previously 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 tournament website is not not true.

The Pan Arab Games take place from July 5 to 15, 2023.