State Duma deputy Irina Rodnina, a three-time Olympic champion in figure skating, commented on Margarita Drobyazko, who was stripped of Lithuanian citizenship, and described the treatment as harsh. The remarks were shared with Sports24, highlighting the tension surrounding the case and its broader implications for how citizenship decisions are perceived in the skating world.
Rodnina argued that Drobyazko endured unfair treatment, portraying the move as a conscience issue for those who aimed to revoke her citizenship. He questioned how such actions could bar Drobyazko from European championships, emphasizing that the decision should have involved the International Skating Union rather than Lithuania alone. He framed the entire episode as a political maneuver that exposed a passing, performative gesture by Lithuania, suggesting it was a reminder of past patterns rather than a substantive policy shift.
On July 28, Agne Bilotaite, Lithuania’s Minister of Internal Affairs, petitioned the country’s president to revoke Margarita Drobyazko’s citizenship in connection with her appearance on Tatiana Navka’s skating show. Later, on September 15, President Gitanas Nausėda approved a decree stripping the athlete of Lithuanian citizenship as a result of this request. The development sparked discussions about national belonging and the boundaries of eligibility for athletes who choose to participate in events or programs beyond national borders, especially in sports where personal history and representation carry significant symbolic weight.
Drobyazko, who has achieved a storied career in Lithuanian ice dancing, is celebrated as a 13-time national champion and a two-time European Championship medalist, with additional recognition as a World Championship medalist in ice dancing. The athlete competed in five Olympic Games alongside partner Povilas Vanagas, contributing to Lithuania’s long-standing presence on the world stage. Born in Moscow in 1971, Drobyazko received Lithuanian citizenship in 1993 through an exceptional grant for his services to the country he represented at major international events, a decision that has since become central to the ongoing debate about national allegiance and eligibility for future competitions.
In the wake of the citizenship decision, the Lithuanian Skating Federation indicated that Drobyazko would not be permitted to participate in the upcoming European Championships, further fueling discussions about how national sports bodies should coordinate with international federations when citizenship status is in question. The federation’s stance reflects a careful effort to align domestic policy with broader sporting standards and the expectations of international competition bodies, while ensuring that any decision respects due process and the integrity of the sport. The episode has prompted athletes, commentators, and fans to reexamine the delicate balance between national identity, personal career choices, and the rules that govern eligibility for major events.