“They treated Drobyazko terribly. I perceive this whole story as a facade on the part of Lithuania.” -Rodnina

Three-time Olympic champion in figure skating, deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Irina Rodnina commented on the situation with the deprivation of Lithuanian citizenship of the figure skater Margarita Drobiazko noting that they had mistreated her.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda previously signed a decree depriving figure skater Drobyazko of Lithuanian citizenship.

“They treated Drobyazko terribly.” It is on the conscience of those who wanted to deprive Margarita of her citizenship. But they cannot deprive her of the European Championship. How is it possible? Who are they to keep her away? At a minimum, this should be decided by the International Skating Union and not Lithuania. I consider this whole story to be a facade on the part of Lithuania. They just reminded us of ourselves,” Rodnina said, as quoted by Sport24.

Drobyazko was born in Moscow, but after the collapse of the USSR she began competing for Lithuania with Povilas Vanagas. Together they won bronze at the World Championships. Drobyazko participates in five Olympic Games.

Sport24