Russia’s breakaway shooters intend to compete for the United States at the Paris Olympics

Russian fencers Konstantin Lokhanov Sergey and Violetta Bida intend to obtain American citizenship in order to represent this country in competitions in the future, reports USA Today Sports.

The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the US Fencing Federation have written letters to Congress seeking citizenship for Russians. The organizations hope to get approval from President Joe Biden “at the earliest opportunity” for athletes to compete in the 2024 Olympics in France.

Violetta Bida, when asked about her intention to join the US national team, replied: “We are ready.” At the same time, the source notes that the Russian is six months pregnant and, unlike her husband, does not plan to perform in Paris.

Earlier, the Russian Interior Ministry included the shooters on the wanted list under a criminal article. State Duma Deputy Alexander Khinshtein announced that a criminal case was initiated against the athletes under Article 337 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (unauthorized abandonment of a unit or place of service). The Bida spouses played for Dynamo and were on the list of instructors of the sports team of the Central District of the Russian Guard. On , Sergei’s grandfather, Olympic silver and bronze medalist in water polo Boris Grishin, previously assured that his grandson did not plan to compete for the American team and was working in the United States. United with children.

Konstantin Lokhanov also told USA Today his intention to obtain American citizenship and compete in the Summer Games. The 25-year-old saber fencer had already divorced Sofia Pozdnyakova, the daughter of Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) head Stanislav Pozdnyakov.

Sergei Bida, 30, is the 2020 Olympic silver medalist in the team tournament. His wife, Violetta Bida, 29, is a medalist at the 2019 World and European Championships.

USA today