Vadim Hutzait accused Ilya Kovtun of betraying the Ukrainian people
The head of the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine, Vadim Hutzait, stated that gymnast Ilya Kovtun, who changed his citizenship, committed "treason against Ukraine." It was noted that Kovtun was awarded a state award and funds for a silver medal at the Olympic Games.
"The last major example is Ilya Kovtun, who betrayed Ukraine. What else to call it? I read his last interview... It was terrible. He said he did not feel support from Ukraine and Ukrainians... The whole of Ukraine cheered for him, and now he says this. Additionally, he has not been in Kyiv since the beginning of the full-scale aggression, and no one said a word to him. After all this, he claims he didn’t feel any support? He would have been better off silent. No, to say such things while there is a war going on in Ukraine, when our country is stained with blood..."
Kovtun is known for his scandalous statements, including complaining about Ukrainians in an interview with Croatian media and explaining his decision to change citizenship.
"Not only the war in Ukraine influenced my decision. There were a number of situations that led me to decide to change my citizenship. I feel a moral obligation to the people in Osijek. They accepted me here. When I won an Olympic medal, I felt that the people here were happier than in Ukraine."
Vadim Hutzait accuses Ilya Kovtun of betraying the Ukrainian people for changing citizenship and making negative comments regarding Ukraine. Ilya Kovtun, in turn, links his decision to a lack of sufficient support from Ukraine, as well as stating that he feels a moral obligation to the people of Osijek to explain his behavior.