Stella Zakharova, vice president of the Ukrainian Gymnastics Federation, stated that the federation plans to pursue disciplinary measures following gymnast Ilya Kovtun’s announcement to change his sports citizenship. Officials emphasize the move could affect the national program and raise questions about loyalty and accountability within the sport. The remarks were reported by a Ukrainian news outlet, underscoring the federation’s readiness to act and the potential consequences for Kovtun’s standing on the national team. (source)
Zakharova framed the incident as a difficult moment for Ukrainian sport, noting that Ukraine has invested substantial resources in Kovtun and his coach, who now compete for another state. She highlighted the magnitude of the funding and support directed toward Kovtun’s development, from training facilities and coaching to medical services, underscoring that such commitment is not easily dismissed. The federation’s stance reflects concerns about impact on team morale, continuity of training pipelines, and long-term planning for international competition. (source)
On January 18, Vladimir Madjarevic, head coach of Croatia’s national gymnastics team, said Kovtun had applied for Croatian citizenship. Kovtun has lived and trained in Osijek for three years to pursue his studies and athletic refinement, while his coach Irina Gorbacheva-Nadyuk has also pursued a Croatian passport. Madjarevic added that Kovtun has begun learning Croatian, a step that could ease integration into the local sporting environment and align his career with European opportunities. (source)
At the 2024 Olympic Games, Kovtun earned the silver medal for Ukraine on the parallel bars, adding to a career marked by continental success. He had previously claimed the European title on parallel bars in 2023, a testament to his consistency at the continental level. In Rimini at the 2024 European Championships, Kovtun contributed to Ukraine’s team gold and captured two more titles in the horizontal bar and the parallel bars events. His World Championship record includes bronze in 2021 and silver in 2023, highlighting his standing among the sport’s elite. (source)
Earlier, a skiing coach stated that Russia would not be allowed to compete under a neutral status, reflecting broader debates about how sport should navigate geopolitical tensions. The comment underscores the environment in which athletes operate, where nationality, eligibility rules, and international policy intersect with training, visas, and competition calendars. (source)