Ukraine cries ‘betrayal’ as diving champion takes Russian citizenship
Sofia Lyskun cited political pressure to cut ties with Russia as among the reasons for her decision
European diving champion Sofia Lyskun has renounced her Ukrainian citizenship and obtained a Russian passport, citing political pressure in Ukraine to cut ties with Russia. The head of Ukraine’s National Olympic Committee, Vadim Guttsait, called her decision a “betrayal.”
A four-time European champion and two-time Olympian, Lyskun claimed she was repeatedly reprimanded for staying in touch with her first coach, who had relocated to Moscow after the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022. She said staff at training camps told her that “no one else was in contact with Russians,” and she could not understand why such remarks were directed at her.
The 23-year-old Lugansk native argued that Ukrainian sport portrayed itself as “outside politics,” yet athletes “were the first to feel the pressure.”
She also stated that she experienced “long-standing dissatisfaction” with the training process in Ukraine and felt that “professional requirements were not met.”
Lyskun said she has now formally obtained Russian citizenship and plans to represent Russia internationally after taking part in domestic competitions.
Her transition comes as international sports bodies have begun to adjust eligibility rules for Russian athletes, who have faced restrictions since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. World Aquatics announced that starting next year Russian and Belarusian teams may return to global competitions under a neutral flag.
Last week, the International Judo Federation became the first Olympic-sport body to restore Russian athletes’ right to compete under their national flag “with anthem and insignia,” beginning with the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee’s new president, Kirsty Coventry, called to keep politics out of sport and “guarantee access for all.” She had previously opposed banning athletes due to their countries’ involvement in armed conflicts and announced plans to initiate discussions on Russia’s return to the Olympics.
