Former Lithuanian figure skaters Drobiazko and Vanagas will not be allowed to participate in the 2024 European Championships in Kaunas
New sanctions were introduced against former Lithuanian figure skaters Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas. This was announced by the President of the Lithuanian Skating Union Vytautas Jasutis, as quoted by Respublika.lt.
Drobyazko and Vanagas will not be allowed to attend the European Championships, which will be held in Kaunas in January 2024. “The federation has made its position very clear – no ambiguity regarding Ukraine,” Jasutis said, adding that no one can deny the couple’s contribution to history.
On September 15, it became known that Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda had deprived Drobiazko of his citizenship. The reason was the athlete’s performance in the show of Olympic champion Tatyana Navka in Russia.
On June 21, it was reported that the Seimas of Lithuania initiated the procedure for depriving Drobyazko of the country’s citizenship. In response, the skater stated that she would not give up Russia in order to retain her Lithuanian passport.
Drobyazko acquired Lithuanian citizenship in 1993. Together with Vanagas, they represented the country at the Olympic Games five times. The couple has two bronze medals at the European Championships and another at the World Championships.
Source: Lenta
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