Yuri Kaminsky, celebrated as Russia’s esteemed coach in cross-country skiing, weighs in on the idea of a championship mindset and shares his thoughts on how European nations view domestic athletes.
Kaminsky notes a troubling wave of hysteria in Europe whenever Russia is mentioned. He views this reaction as a sign of weakness in critics who attempt to discredit athletes who express support for Russia. In Lithuania, for example, figure skater Margarita Drobyazko faced citizenship consequences tied to her public stance. In the Czech Republic, there is noticeably less pressure on hockey players who train or compete in Russia, a contrast that Kaminsky points to as indicative of shifting attitudes across the continent.
On July 28, Lithuania’s internal affairs minister, Agne Bilotaite, approached the country’s president with a request to revoke Margarita Drobyazko’s citizenship due to participation in a show led by Tatiana Navka. Later, on September 15, President Gitanas Nausėda signed a decree removing the skater’s Lithuanian citizenship. This sequence underscores how political sentiment can intersect with the careers of athletes who maintain ties with international figures and events.
Margarita Drobyazko has a distinguished résumé in the world of figure skating, boasting thirteen Lithuanian championships and medals from European and World Championships in ice dancing. She has complemented her athletic pursuits with participation in five Olympic Games alongside her husband and partner Povilas Vanagas, contributing to Estonia’s and Lithuania’s representation on the global stage through partnerships that have endured across decades.
Drobyazko was born in Moscow in 1971. In a notable exception to the usual nationality rules, she received a Lithuanian passport in 1993 in recognition of her services to the country she later represented in World Championships and Olympic competitions. This case illustrates how national affiliations in sport can be braided with personal achievement and international opportunity, often prompting debate about identity, eligibility, and allegiance.
Meanwhile, the Lausanne court has also dealt with related issues in hearings connected to a prominent figure skater, Valieva, highlighting the broader legal and ethical dimensions surrounding elite athletes who navigate high-profile careers under intense scrutiny. The ongoing discussions reflect how sports, law, and national sentiment intersect in modern athletics, shaping conversations around citizenship, representation, and the responsibilities athletes carry as public ambassadors.