Yulia Pakhalina, the 2000 Olympic diving champion who has spent more than two decades in the United States, expresses a clear wish to return to her homeland. She has long spoken about a deep connection to Moscow and to Russia, saying the country is home in her heart, even though life abroad offers comfort. This sentiment came to light in a recent media report.
She stated a desire to move to Moscow and described her affection for the city and for Russia. Life in America is not bad, but it does not feel like home, and she does not feel a sense of belonging in the country where she resides, according to a recent media report.
Beyond the Sydney gold, Pakhalina won three silver medals and one bronze across her Olympic career. She was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in the United States, in a ceremony that also honored Olympic water polo champion Vladimir Akimov, marking a moment of recognition for two aquatic champions.
Earlier in 2022 the International Olympic Committee urged sports bodies to bar domestic and Belarusian athletes from competitions. The IOC later decided to admit Russians and Belarusians to the 2024 Olympic Games as neutral competitors after the policy was revised at the end of 2023, with eligibility criteria set to determine who could participate.
Separately in the world of sport, a Ukrainian Olympic biathlon champion faced disqualification due to a doping ruling, underscoring ongoing enforcement of fair play across disciplines.