Member of the Olympic team Latvia six-time national rhythmic gymnastics champion Elisabeth Polstyanaya on the air of the program “There is a theme!” on she said she was given an ultimatum in Latvia. He was offered to renounce Russian citizenship in exchange for a performance at the World Championships.
Earlier, Polstyanaya said that she was not allowed to participate in the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships in Bulgaria. The athlete was born in Latvia, but grew up in Russia. She obtained Latvian citizenship in 2018 and has since represented the country in international competitions. Polstyanaya did not renounce Russian citizenship, having received Latvian.
Has something changed or is it the same? Are you in Riga? Is there work on your problem? Or not?
“No, I’m at home in Moscow,” Polstyanaya said on . – The situation is very interesting. Everything went through the gymnastics federation. Now, like before, no one has contacted me from the federation. Just yesterday I wrote to the secretary of the federation, I wanted to know what was going on, because very strange articles are written in Latvia. But they did not contact me.
– And after? Are you going to leave the team? Contact the courts?
– Honestly, I don’t know yet what I’m going to do, because for me everything is very difficult. I’m an athlete, I just did my job honestly. Now, it is very difficult to believe all this, to understand all of it. So I can’t say what will happen next.
The ultimatum was issued because my main objective was not the World Cup, but the Paris Olympics. And the letter clearly stated that if I did not renounce Russian citizenship, I did not have the right to participate in the selection for the Olympics.
– After such an ultimatum, do you even want to go back to Latvia?
– Honestly, there is such a feeling. It is very insulting and unpleasant that they did not try to find a compromise there, and in such a harsh form they put me in front of such a choice. Therefore, I do not think of returning.
– Maybe try at home, in Russia?
– I do not know. It’s hard to say. It is necessary to give some time, probably, to yourself and the whole situation. Because now, we don’t know how it will all end up. I don’t want to think about anything right now. I train and I keep in shape despite everything because I had not planned to finish. But I don’t want to plan anything. I haven’t thought of that yet.
“Were you forced to make political statements one way or the other?”
– Not.
– Letters, questionnaires, where you are invited to make statements? They didn’t offer you anything?
– No, but the letter clearly stated that they would stop working with me for a month. And during this month, I must either renounce Russian citizenship (and all this must be done in writing), or I will be deprived of the right to speak.
“Are you a Russian athlete?” Is there a feeling for yourself inside?
– I am Russian. I grew up in Russia, all my childhood was spent here. And I spent more time in Russia, I have a family in Russia. And of course, I feel Russian. We have made Latvian citizenship a pure sport. I am very grateful that they gave me a chance there. And all that I have achieved on the international scene is of course thanks to Latvia. Because they believed in me. Although we did the citizenship ourselves, there are also many people who have helped and are still helping.
The world championship will take place in Sofia from September 14 to 18.
Source : MatchTV
