Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) President Stanislav Pozdnyakov, while commenting on the Rossiya 24 channel about the departure of Russian national team fencers Sergei and Violetta Bida to the USA and their intention to obtain American citizenship, also explained why he made this decision. he was ashamed.
“The men were hasty and did something wrong. I am truly ashamed that these athletes were in the national team while I was working in the fencing federation. “This is where I find my shortcoming,” said the PRC chairman.
USA Today reported that Sergei Bida, as well as former saber fencer for the Russian national team, Konstantin Lokhanov, plan to compete for the U.S. team at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. At the same time, Sergei Bida’s wife, Violetta Bida, will not be able to participate in the Games due to pregnancy.
On December 26, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs put the spouses on the wanted list. They face up to ten years in prison. Epee fencers, consisting of active officers of the Russian Guard and active military personnel, participated in the US Championship without the permission of the Russian side.
Sergei Bida is an epee fencer, silver medalist in the team tournament at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, three-time European champion (also in team competitions) and two-time medalist at the World Championships (silver in individual competitions and bronze in 2020). team epee).
Violetta Bida (née Khrapina) won a silver medal in team epee at the 2019 World Championships and also participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but did not win any medals there.
Previously Elena Vyalbe named Fools of Russian fencers who fled to the USA.