Among the participants in the competition are cyclists Tatiana and Daria Malkov, who announce themselves as Tatia Malko and Darie Malko, swimmer Anastasia Sorokina (Enas Sorkine), badminton player Daria Dzhedzhula (Dasha Dhedhula), track athlete and field Karina Poludkina (Karina Polud), as well as judoka Milana Mugu and gymnast Alexander Maximov, who are already linked to the Syrian team on the websites of international federations.
This story caused a lot of noise. Nothing is known in the federations about the change of sports citizenship of everyone, with the exception of Maximova and Mugu.
Swimmer Anastasia Sorokina spoke about what really happened to her.
“I am not going to change sports citizenship. I was offered the competition as a business startup, the organizers said there would be no problems. So when the situation changed, we decided to withdraw from the competition so that there would be no problems. I will return to Russia, I will perform at the Cup final in Kazan,” Sorokina told Match TV.
Cyclist Daria Malkova also confirmed that she was invited as a sparring partner for local athletes on very good terms.
“Of course, I am not going to change my citizenship and I did not intend to participate in the Pan-Arab Games and also go to Algeria. I return to Russia, I have a Russian championship on the track soon.” Malkova told Match TV.
