Russian figure-skating star Sofia Samodelnika has obtained a Kazakh passport as Russian athletes face a possible ban from the Olympics. RBK, a Moscow-based news agency, reported on August 5 that Samodelnika had received citizenship in the neighboring country even though Russia's figure-skating organization had yet to approve her departure. The International Olympic Committee last month said it will not send Russia a formal invitation to the 2024 Paris Olympics amid its invasion of Ukraine. Samodelnika, 16, a top medalist in Russia, may seek to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics to be held in Milan, Italy.
Editors' Picks
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.