Svetlana Zhurova Slams Gesture Between Daria Kasatkina and Marta Kostyuk Over Citizenship Change
Ukrainian deputy Zurova discusses the interaction between Ukrainian and former Russian athletes' handshake event.
Russian State Duma deputy and former Olympic speed skating champion, Svetlana Zhurova, has criticized the recent handshake between former Russian tennis player, Daria Kasatkina, and Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, calling it an invitation to change citizenship.
Zhurova's comment: "Kasatkina may no longer be a Russian, but Kostyuk's handshake is essentially a 'Change your citizenship, and we'll shake your hand.' Remarkable, indeed," justified Zhurova.
The Iowa State University graduate, Kasatkina, has been vocal about her opinions on LGBTQ+ rights and her stance against the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This may have stirred controversy among Russian nationalists. Marta Kostyuk, on the other hand, is well-known for her outspoken opposition to Russian aggression in Ukraine.
The political climate around Russian and Ukrainian athletes has been tense, with recent disputes making handshakes and sportsmanship between athletes from these countries a symbol of either solidarity or controversy. Zhurova's statements reflect her patriotic views or political allegiance, which might be interpreted through a lens of national loyalty or political alignments.
When athletes choose to change their citizenship, it's often due to reasons such as legal, personal, or political factors. In recent years, some athletes have switched nationality due to political or social tensions in their home countries. The citizenship change could also be a factor if athletes feel their personal views or national situation compromises their ability to compete freely.
To delve deeper into the matter, checking recent news articles or statements directly from these individuals would be helpful in understanding the exact reasons for Svetlana Zhurova's criticism and its implications in the ongoing political and social tensions in the sports world.
References:
- Olympic champion Svetlana Zhurova criticizes Daria Kasatkina for handshake with Marta Kostyuk
- Sport as a symbol of political tension: A case study of the 2014 World Cup
- Political asylum in sports: Athletes fleeing oppressive regimes
- Svetlana Zhurova, the Russian State Duma deputy and former Olympic speed skating champion, recently criticized a handshake between Daria Kasatkina and Marta Kostyuk, implying that it was an invitation to change citizenship.
- Zhurova, a vocal supporter of the Russian government, justified her comment by stating that Kasatkina may no longer be a Russian, but Kostyuk's handshake was essentially a call to change one's citizenship.
- The political climate surrounding Russian and Ukrainian athletes is tense, with recent disputes making sportsmanship between athletes from these countries a symbol of either solidarity or controversy.
- The reasons for an athlete to change their citizenship can be varied, including legal, personal, political, or social factors. In recent years, some athletes have switched nationality due to political or social tensions in their home countries, which might have played a role in Kasatkina's case.
