Olympic ice dance champion Natalya Bestemyanova believes Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda’s decision to strip figure skaters Margarita Drobyazko and Povilas Vanagas of state awards for intending to perform in a show in Sochi will greatly offend athletes .
On August 10, the President of Lithuania signed a decree excluding Drobyazko and Vanagas from the list of holders of the Order of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas, 5th degree. Nauseda, after signing the decree, said that all the merits of Drobyazko and Vanagas for the country were barred by their decision to perform in Tatiana Navka’s show in Sochi.
– Deprivation of state awards will greatly offend Drobyazko and Vanagas. They fought for their medals in the Lithuanian national team and defended the interests of the country. It is unclear why they are now being punished. You can’t treat great athletes like that. After all, they are the legends of Lithuania, and they spit in their direction. I really like this couple. They are great guys and great professionals. I treat them with great respect. Believe me, Margarita and Povilas never got into politics – creativity was always the main thing for them. And they could only do this in Russia, because, I repeat, there is no opportunity for this at home. Nothing terrible will happen in any case, – said Bestemyanova RT.
The Lithuanian dancing couple was nominated for an award in 2000. The skaters are World Championship bronze medalists and twice European Championship bronze medalists.
TR
Source : MatchTV
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