Alexander Plushenko spoke about his transfer to the Azerbaijani national team

The son of Olympic champion Evgeny Plushenko, 13-year-old figure skater Alexander Plushenko said that he continues to consider himself a Russian athlete even after joining the Azerbaijani national team. He told about it on May 21 in an interview with the newspaper "Sport-Express".

"I was and still am a Russian. I was given sports citizenship of Azerbaijan for five years. I hope that I will be able to adequately represent our two countries in the international arena and glorify my dad's academy," Plushenko said.

The figure skater also noted the importance of international cooperation in sports and the development of training programs with the participation of athletes from different countries. According to him, representatives of more than ten countries have already participated in the academy's training sessions.

He stressed that sport should bring people together and help strengthen friendly ties between countries.

"I want us all to be friends. Sport unites us all," he added, expressing hope for the development of cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan in winter sports.

The athlete also stated that he continues to train at the Plushenko Angels Academy.

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On the same day, it became known that figure skater Alexander Plushenko received sports citizenship of Azerbaijan for five years. Evgeny Plushenko said that his son was not a member of the Russian national team this season for various reasons. The child studied at his father's private academy. Plushenko expressed hope for joint efforts to develop figure skating in Russia and Azerbaijan.