Elena Grishina, mother of Russian fencer Sergei Bida, stated that her son had been granted permission to leave Russia by RT. She explained that on several occasions he went to the Russian Guard to resign, but the attempt was rejected. Still, Grishina said Sergei did have authorization to depart the country from the Ministry of Sports. Her account also reveals plans for Sergei to travel abroad to undergo surgery and possibly return at a later date.
Both Sergei Bida and his wife Violetta are currently wanted and could face up to ten years in prison for leaving their duty without official permission. This consequence underscores the seriousness of the travel restrictions and the potential penalties involved in defying them.
Sergei Bida is known as an epee fencer who earned a silver medal as part of the team in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. He has achieved multiple high honors, including three European titles in team events and medals at the World Championships, with silver in individual competition and bronze in the team event in 2020. These accomplishments highlight his standing in the sport on the international stage.
Violetta Bida (née Khrapina) also has a prominent fencing résumé, having secured a silver medal in the team epee event at the 2019 World Championships. She participated in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as well, though she did not win a medal there, continuing to contribute to the sport at a high level.
Earlier reports mentioned that a former Minister of Sports, associated with the Bida family name, would face accountability for violating the law, reflecting the broader legal implications surrounding this case and the heightened scrutiny facing officials tied to sports diplomacy and governance.