“I will only play for Russia. There are no other options ”- athlete Poludkina on his refusal to participate in the Pan Arab Games

Javelin thrower Karina Poludkina, after playing in the Russian Cup in Zhukovsky, said that she does not plan to change sports citizenship and will only compete for Russia.

On July 5, information emerged that seven Russian athletes were declared for the Pan Arab Games as members of the Syrian national team in badminton, cycling, athletics, swimming, judo and artistic gymnastics. Among them was Poludkina. 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 indicated on the tournament website do not correspond to reality. Poludkin on the air of the program “There is a theme!” refused to participate in the competition.

On Saturday, Poludkina finished fourth in the Russian Cup to Zhukovsky, setting a personal best of 50.76 meters. The winner was Ella Vedeneeva (59.55), second place was taken by Valeria Putilina (56.56), third – Maya Bogatyreva (54.62).

– 50.76 meters in the last attempt – this is your personal best. How did you do?

– I don’t know, it could have been better in the first attempts to throw. As we move along the knurled.

– Before that, you had a record of 49.88. There is forward movement.

Yes, we are working. There are bugs that we are trying to fix.

– You recently appeared in the bid for the Pan Arab Games as a Syrian athlete. Do you regret not being able to participate?

– There are no regrets. There was an offer, I declined.

What was its financial return?

– It was profitable, but like that. I refused, I didn’t want to go. At that time, I was taking part in my competitions in Yekaterinburg, I was third in the Russian championship. Now I go to All-Russian departures.

– Did Syrians or Russians come to you?

– Representatives of the Syrian Olympic Committee contacted me.

– Is the question of which country to play for solved for you?

– Of course, only Russia. There are no other options. There was an offer, we thought about and declined.

— But when your profile appeared on the Pan Arab Games website, you must have been surprised.

“It was a big surprise. I looked at this photo and did not understand – where? As far as I know, of all those who declared themselves there, I did not go there alone. What are my demands? – the correspondent of “” transmits the words of Poludkina.