Summary
Sofiia Lyskun, a Ukrainian diver, has been stripped of her medals by the Ukrainian Diving Federation after she switched allegiance to Russia. Lyskun made the change public in an interview, apparently without notifying relevant Ukrainian authorities. The federation criticized her decision and plans to appeal to international sports bodies to impose restrictions on her participation in future events.
Key Facts
- Sofiia Lyskun is a diver who represented Ukraine at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Paris Games.
- She announced her change of allegiance to Russia in an interview with a Russian newspaper.
- The Ukrainian Diving Federation removed all her medals and awards after her announcement.
- The federation claimed Lyskun did not inform them, her coaches, or Ukraine’s sports ministry about her decision.
- Ukrainian authorities expressed that such actions are unacceptable and affect the country's representation.
- Lyskun cited a lack of growth and inappropriate coaching as reasons for her switch.
- Russian and Belarusian athletes faced restrictions from World Aquatics after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but some competed as neutrals in the Paris Olympics.
