KAZAN, March 15, Vadim Kuznetsov. Russian Deputy Sports Minister Odes Baysultanov said that athletes who decide to change Russian citizenship due to sanctions imposed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) should not subsequently be asked to return to the country. Earlier, the IOC recommended that federations not allow Russian athletes to participate in competitions against the backdrop of aggravated Russian-Ukrainian relations and urged transfer all international events from Russia to other countries. «If someone (from the athletes) decides to change citizenship, a bright path. But just don't come back. No need to go back,» Baysultanov said at a press conference. «Now is the time when each is determined politically and morally. That the Norwegian (Watterdal), that ours, exaggerated ours, made their decisions. Like the Shooting Union of Russia, for example. One of the first, Mr. Vladimir Lisin, removed our athletes and filmed all events. The list can be long. The time will come when these individuals will be judged. Now they are simply not worth it,» the speaker said. According to Baysultanov, Russian sports will not weaken because of the sanctions. «It is time to make decisions that will allow our sport to return to the world stage even stronger. I'm sure we'll come back much stronger,» he said.
