Gymnast representing Latvia Elisabeth Polstyanaya on the air of the program “There is a theme!” reacted to the words of the head of the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation (VFCG) Irina Vigner about the possibility of taking the gymnast to her in case the athlete turns to her with such a request.
Earlier, 19-year-old Polstyanaya said 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. The gymnast admitted that she had been given an ultimatum: to give up Russian citizenship in exchange for performances at the World Championships. On August 17, the athlete refused to continue his career in Latvia.
“Since everything happened so unexpectedly, it is difficult to say now what will happen next. Regarding the Russian national team: there are many good strong gymnasts in the team who have worked hard to get a place, and I think it’s not quite fair if I come and ask to take me to the national team. I haven’t received any offers from other countries. Rhythmic gymnastics is a fairly young sport, we all finish early, as a rule, and health also makes its own adjustments. I realized that I was two years old before the Paris Olympics, and after that I was going to finish. Now, in As for the Russian national team, it is not clear when the country will be allowed to participate in international competitions, and now I am not old enough to restart my career so drastically. Now I would like to continue. I need help Everything is in order with my conditions, there is no problem lem with that,” Polstyanaya said.
Earlier it was reported that Latvian athletes who also have citizenship of the Russian Federation or Belarus do not have the right to receive state financial assistance, but are not deprived of the right to compete for Latvia in international competitions.
Source : MatchTV
