Famous fencers Sergei and Violetta Bida scandalously left Russia , without informing anyone from the sports management about it. Now they intend to obtain an American passport and compete for the United States in major competitions. Sergei, for example, has his sights set on the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and another defector, Konstantin Lokhanov, is ready to join him. In Russia, the Bida spouses have been put on the wanted list and face 5 to 10 years in prison. What's going on?
The story of the escape The athletes left for America in 2023 and became coaches at the local fencing academy. The couple did not announce their retirement, nor did they say anything to the Russian side about their departure. As a result, because of their actions, the coach of the men's team of our epee fencers, Alexander Glazunov, suffered, whom the Russian Fencing Federation (RFF) relieved of his post.
But the most important thing is that Sergey and Violetta left the country while in the status of military personnel. At that time, they were listed in the Russian Guard and CSKA in the Ministry of Defense, respectively. It even came to the point of criminal prosecution. Cards addressed to the spouses appeared on the official website of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“”The fact that they were put on the wanted list is direct evidence of their escape from Russia as military personnel to the United States of America. They are military personnel, first of all, they made an illegal decision to leave the country and act in a neutral status for a country that is enemy to us,” said the former President of the Russian Fencing Federation Alexander Mikhailov.
Later, the source reported that they were involved in a criminal case for unauthorized leaving a unit or place of service, for which they face a real prison sentence of 5 to 10 years. And now USA Today has announced that the former leaders of the Russian national team intend to obtain an American passport along with another defector Konstantin Lokhanov. Moreover, Sergei and Konstantin are ready to compete for the United States at the 2024 Games in Paris. Violetta would also like to go to the capital of France, but she is six months pregnant.
“American Freedom” American media reports that the athletes have the support of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the United States Fencing Federation. Both organizations wrote letters in their defense. Athletes' attorney Jack Wiener noted that he and his fellow lawyer have begun to establish contacts with senators and representatives of Congress. In order for fencers to become US citizens in time for the Paris Olympics, the Senate and House of Representatives will have to pass a bill granting them US passports, and President Joe Biden will have to sign it.
This could be a great PR move for the Americans, so don't rule out the possibility that Bida and Lokhanov will actually represent the United States at the Games in Paris. Moreover, the same Violetta is already giving vivid statements to the local press.
“”To compete for the United States? We are ready. When I set foot on American soil, I felt freedom,” USA Today quotes Violetta Bida.
I would, of course, like to know what kind of freedom we are talking about and in what specific aspects she felt it. Globally, neither she nor her husband have yet given detailed comments. There was only a documentary on the BBC, where they spoke joyfully about life in America, and Violetta talked about some “black lists” where she was included in Russia because of videos on social networks.
An interesting detail about being fired from Russian Guard At the same time, Sergei’s mother, a famous former athlete and medalist of the World Fencing Championship, Elena Grishina, said that she knows nothing about her son’s intention to compete for the United States. She also said an interesting thing about dismissal from the Russian Guard.
“”I know nothing about Sergei’s plans to represent America at the Olympics. I don’t know how to comment on this. The most important thing is that they are not employees of the Russian Guard. They were fired on December 27. Even if this is true, nothing really bothers them,” said Grishina.
That is, it turns out that the Bida fencing couple still left Russia for America in the status of active military personnel. After all, they left the country in the summer, and were fired only on New Year’s Eve. In America, apparently, they don’t see anything wrong with this and are happy to host defectors. However, who is surprised by this now?
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