Media learned about the intention of Ukrainian gymnast Kovtun to obtain Croatian citizenship

Ukrainian gymnast Ilya Kovtun, a silver medalist at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, has applied for Croatian citizenship. This was reported by Sportske novosti on November 18.

It noted that Kovtun has been living and training in Osijek for three years. Now he has decided to continue his career, playing for the Croatian national team. The Croatian gymnastics federation noted that they hope Kovtun will receive citizenship through an accelerated procedure. However, according to coach Vladimir Madjarevic, things could be more complicated.

"There are different options for the development of events, and the worst, according to our information, is a year of quarantine, that is, a pause in performances at major competitions," he said.

The media called Kovtun's decision quite obvious, adding that "there are no prospects in Ukraine."

In turn, the Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Matvey Bedny expressed disappointment with the intentions of Ilya Kovtun and his coach to change sports citizenship, writes "Sport-Express".

Earlier, in December 2024, it was reported that the Ukrainian was denied Austrian citizenship because he did not sing the national anthem at the ceremony.