Face of the Day

Ukraine has condemned two-time Olympic diver Sofiia Lyskun’s switch to represent Russia amid the ongoing war and will try to strip her of awards.

The 23-year-old Lyskun told the Russian newspaper Izvestia this week that “coaches’ incompetence” was a factor in her decision.

“Most of our coaches are gymnasts or trampoline athletes. How can someone from a completely different field teach you anything? In recent years, I’ve realised in sports in Ukraine that I’m not growing,” Lyskun said in a video interview. [...]

“I finally realised it was a one-way street. No one supported me, but on the contrary, it was aggravating my psychological state and making the whole situation worse,” she said.

“I had moments when I didn’t go to training for about a week, and I just sat at home crying. Nothing good came of it.” [...]

The [Ukrainian Diving Federation] said it will seek to strip Lyskun of all awards she won and will appeal to international sports institutions to apply competition restrictions on her.

Lyskun, a native of Luhansk, also cited criticism she received for her having maintained contact with Russian-speaking coaches. She said her first coach from her youth is now working in Moscow.

“When she left, I spoke to her periodically and kept in touch. And when there were competitions, I saw her constantly, constantly talked to her. And now, at the last competition, I’m being criticised in front of everyone,” she said.

Stuff