Former Latvian luger Christens Putins decided to change his surname due to Russia's military invasion of Ukraine on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin, reports Delfi Sports.

" I had to do this because I do not want my name or the names of my children to be associated with a war criminal in the future.

Occupation happened. Russia invaded Ukraine, and this is a big crime that I do not support. It is unacceptable to unleash a war in Europe today,"

Christens Putins, 27, retires after 2019/20 season. On Facebook, he is signed as Christens Rody.

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Earlier it was reported that the International Swimming Federation suspended the Russian swimmer from all tournaments for supporting Putin..