Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Matvey Bedny expressed disappointment that gymnast Ilya Kovtun applied for Croatian citizenship. The functionary noted that he does not accept the decision of the vice-champion of the 2024 Olympic Games to abandon his home country and team.

Bedny stated this in a comment to the Tribuna portal. com. The head of the department emphasized that he had held negotiations with Kovtun himself and his coach Irina Gorbacheva in order to convince them to continue performing under the blue-yellow flag, and also reproached the athlete for joining the national team of another country during the most difficult time for Ukraine.

“The news about the intention of Ilya Kovtun and his coach Irina Gorbacheva to change their sports citizenship causes sadness and disappointment, and for many - justified indignation. As you know, we met with Irina in Kyiv, we had long negotiations to keep our athlete in the team.

It's a shame that a famous athlete chose another country and abandons his homeland. I never understood such decisions. Especially during this difficult period. Glorifying Ukraine today is not just a formality, but a great responsibility to the memory and feat of more than 500 athletes who gave their lives in the fight against the aggressor,” Bedny said.

Note that Kovtun is one of the most talented Ukrainian athletes. In 2024, in addition to the Olympic silver, he also won three gold medals at the European Championships in Rimini.