Deputy President of the Russian Figure Skating Federation (FFKKR) Anton Sikharulidze told why Diana Davis, the daughter of the country’s Honored Coach Eteri Tutberidze, decided to change her sports citizenship. His words are quoted “Sports Express”.
“Diana Davis was not born in Russia. He has a hearing problem, and the devices he needs are produced in only one country in the world. The situation is specific. When they approached us, we decided to meet them halfway. Everything about his life has no connection with Russia, he did not live here,” said Sikharulidze.
Diana Davis performs with Gleb Smolkin. After the 2022 Olympics in Beijing, skaters lived and trained in the United States. The couple changed their citizenship in the summer of 2023. They now represent the Georgian national team. At the beginning of August 2023, Davis and Smolkin won the Ice Dance International tournament in Lake Placid, USA.
At the end of February 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) appealed to international sports federations, recommending that domestic and Belarusian athletes not be allowed to participate in any competitions.
For this reason, the International Skating Union (ISU) suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions. Although the issue of the return of Russian athletes was brought up at the ISU meeting held in October, it was not brought to the agenda.
Previously recognizedIt was stated that Kamila Valieva was tested for doping 15 times.