The president of the Russian Rowing Federation, Alexei Svirin, confirmed that Anna Prakaten, who claimed a silver medal in the Olympic single sculls, plans to compete for Uzbekistan’s national team. Svirin cited this in statements quoted by TASS, noting that Prakaten has expressed a desire to pursue new opportunities abroad and that such a move, while disappointing to the Russian program, is a personal choice that athletes may make in pursuit of their career goals.
Svirin acknowledged the impact of Prakaten’s decision on the Russian program. He emphasized that although losing top talent is never easy, every athlete must decide their own path. The federation continues to support its remaining athletes, who face challenging conditions and motivational hurdles under suspension rules. The sport’s leadership remains focused on maintaining competitive standards and helping athletes adapt to evolving circumstances while adhering to the sport’s rules and sanctions framework.
Earlier in 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued guidance to international federations regarding participation eligibility for athletes from Russia and Belarus. The IOC recommended that Russian and Belarusian athletes be restricted from competing in most events under certain conditions, aiming to minimize the impact on ongoing geopolitical tensions while preserving safety and integrity in sport.
During a subsequent IOC executive committee session on March 28, the committee discussed potential pathways for eligibility. It suggested that athletes who are not actively supporting hostilities could compete under a neutral status, provided they meet specific criteria. The decision also clarified that competitors associated with law enforcement and armed forces would generally be barred from participation, reflecting broader considerations about the role of official affiliation in international competitions.
In related news, well-known commentator and former television presenter Dmitry Guberniev reported that Nikolai Pimenov, a prominent figure in Russian rowing, has decided to compete for Serbia’s national team. This move underscores a broader trend of athletes seeking competitive opportunities beyond their home nations in response to shifting eligibility rules and the evolving landscape of international sport. The federation and athletes alike continue navigating these changes as they pursue high-level competition on the world stage. (source attribution: TASS)