Two-time Olympic biathlon champion Dmitry Vasiliev has spoken out about Daria Kasatkina`s change of citizenship.
Vasiliev stated, “Kasatkina called Australia her new homeland. A homeland can only be one – where you were born. That is your homeland. With this statement, Kasatkina discredits the concept of homeland. She simply decided to collect passports, but Australia is not a homeland at all. Kasatkina does not understand what she is saying.”
He continued, “There have been many people who have changed sports citizenship. But in the end, after some time, they returned to their true homeland, to Russia. I think Kasatkina will eventually return as well. Well, if she doesn`t come to Russia anymore, it`s not a great loss. Russian sport certainly won`t weep over Kasatkina.”
Vasiliev concluded, “I do not support Kasatkina`s decision. For me personally, my homeland is the most important thing. Both in times of triumph and in difficult years, I will be with my homeland, which nurtured me, thanks to which I became who I am. Kasatkina thinks differently. It`s okay, she will still want to return to Russia, because we have a truly democratic country, unlike many other countries in which nothing remains of democracy.”
Marcus Prine