Lithuanian figure skaters Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas have been deprived of state awards by decree of President Gitanas Nausėda, according to the Lithuanian leader’s website.
On Wednesday, Nauseda signed a decree excluding a pair of figure skaters Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas from the list of holders of the Order of the Grand Duke of Lithuania Gediminas, 5th degree. The president signed the executive order following an opinion from the State Awards Board, according to the statement.
Nauseda, after signing the decree, said that all the merits of Drobyazko and Vanagas for the country were barred by the decision to perform in Tatiana Navka’s show in Sochi.
– I have no doubt that they were excellent athletes. The merits of Lithuania, for which they were appreciated in 2000, were crossed out by the cynical act of participating in a commercial event in Sochi.
Let me remind you that Drobyazko received Lithuanian citizenship in 1993 on an exceptional basis. Under current conditions, it looks like a pathetic farce. The laws do not provide for the opposite – the deprivation of citizenship in an exceptional way to sully the name of Lithuania. It is therefore necessary to initiate changes in the legislation. Democracy must be able to defend itself, otherwise it is no longer a democracy,” Nauseda wrote on the social network.
Drobyazko and Vanagas were nominated for the award in 2000. Lithuanian Dance Couple – World Championship bronze medalists and double European Championship bronze medalists.
Source : MatchTV
I am William Jackson and I have a passion for sports journalism. With over 3 years of experience in the industry, I have worked in a variety of roles to improve the quality and accuracy of sports news coverage. As an author at Athletistic, I specialize in covering football news and providing comprehensive analysis for fans around the world.
