This is due to the imposed sanctions on the Russian team.
President of the All-Russian Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics (VFCG) Irina Viner-Usmanova expects a massive change of citizenship of Russian athletes due to the imposed sanctions.
“Russian athletes may well begin a massive change of citizenship. This has not yet been observed in rhythmic gymnastics, but such a mood hovers among athletes of other types, because even children and juniors are excommunicated from official competitions and want to perform. And following all, they can go not necessarily to Europe, but to some friendly countries. It is impossible to say anything for sure, but if this happens, it will be a great loss for Russia, ”Viner-Usmanova quotes Sport24.
On the eve of a number of international sports federations announced a decision to remove the Russians from the competition because of the situation in Ukraine. Then the cyclist Pavel Sivakov announced that he would play for France, and the chess player Evgeny Romanov – to represent Norway.
Formerly Honored coach of the USSR in figure skating Tatyana Tarasova statedwhich does not condemn the decision of Russian athletes to change citizenship due to sanctions from international organizations.