Ukrainian horsewoman Vasilyeva will change her sports citizenship to Russian

The Russian Equestrian Federation (FKSR) has agreed to the rider Sofia Vasilyeva to change her Ukrainian sports citizenship to Russian. This was reported on May 7 by TASS with reference to the organization's press service.

It is specified that this decision was made on the basis of the fact that Vasilyeva is a de facto citizen of Russia. In addition, the athlete lives in Crimea and represents the Kachi-Kalon equestrian club.

Vasilyeva last competed under the Ukrainian flag in 2014.

The IOC recommended that international sports federations not allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions on February 28, 2022. This happened after Russia launched a special operation to protect the population of Donbass.

In March 2023, the IOC Executive Committee recommended that international federations allow only those Russian athletes who do not support the special operation of the Russian Federation to protect Donbass to compete in a neutral status.

Later, in November, the International Equestrian Federation allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete in a neutral status.