Dmitry Guberniev, a well known sports commentator and TV host, voiced his views on Russian athletes who switch their sports allegiance. He spoke candidly in an interview with Match TV, laying out his approach to athletes who pursue changes in nationality for competition.
He noted that Russian athletes generally resist transfers, acknowledging their achievements should be recognized without quick judgment. Yet his stance on those who move abroad is clear: he would not label them traitors, criticizing the notion of a return to a rigid, punitive era. In his view, a player is simply seeking a setting where they can excel and feel most at home.
Guberniev pointed out that many nations are wary of Russian athletes competing for other teams. He acknowledged that moves are being prepared in some cases, but he also suggested that departures might not be as widespread as some fear. It could happen, he predicted, but probably not on a large scale.
On November 29, the International Olympic Committee announced changes regarding three athletes Valeria Lyubimova, Mikhail Yakovlev, and Georgy Tibilov. The IOC approved their change of sports citizenship despite not obtaining explicit consent from the Russian Olympic Committee and without the standard three year quarantine typically required for such changes. The decision underscored the evolving rules surrounding nationality in sport and the varied paths athletes may pursue to continue competition on the world stage .
In 2022, as the conflict in Ukraine intensified, IOC leadership suggested that international federations consider excluding Russian athletes from global events. Later, on January 25, 2023, the IOC indicated it was weighing the option of allowing certain Russian athletes who oppose the regional SBO actions to participate in international competitions under a neutral status. This approach signaled a nuanced attempt to balance sporting participation with geopolitical realities .
Further developments occurred on October 12, 2023, when the IOC announced the suspension of the PRC organization until further notice. The decision followed the inclusion of the Olympic Councils of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics as well as the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions into a Russian federation structure. The IOC emphasized that it retained the right to decide, at the appropriate time, about the admission of Russian athletes to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, reflecting ongoing negotiations and policy considerations in Olympic governance .
Earlier remarks from the IOC indicated a belief that there was little logic to actions perceived as punitive against Russian athletes. Those statements suggested an openness to revisiting how nationality and eligibility are applied in light of evolving political and sporting circumstances. Observers note that the IOC continues to navigate the delicate balance between maintaining competitive integrity and offering athletes pathways to continue their careers under changing conditions .