https://sputniknews.in/20260708/competing-as-a-neutral-still-means-defending-russia-russian-athlete-11572211.html
Competing as a Neutral Still Means Defending Russia: Russian Athlete
Competing as a Neutral Still Means Defending Russia: Russian Athlete
Sputnik India
Competing under neutral status at international events does not diminish the sense of representing Russia, Russian roller skating world champion Alena Efimova... 08.07.2026, Sputnik India
2026-07-08T19:38+0530
2026-07-08T19:38+0530
2026-07-08T20:02+0530
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At the 2026 Roller Sports World Cup in Milan, Russian athletes competing as neutrals won six gold, three silver and two bronze medals. Efimova claimed a bronze medal.Russian national team coach Anastasia Kukushkina said she misses seeing the Russian flag at international competitions.“I want to sing our national anthem and walk out with our flag. I want to defend the colors of my country,” Kukushkina said.
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Competing as a Neutral Still Means Defending Russia: Russian Athlete
19:38 08.07.2026 (Updated: 20:02 08.07.2026) Competing under neutral status at international events does not diminish the sense of representing Russia, Russian roller skating world champion Alena Efimova said.
“Everyone knows us and knows exactly which country we come from. I defend not only myself, but also my entire country,” Efimova said.
At the 2026 Roller Sports World Cup in Milan, Russian athletes competing as neutrals won six gold, three silver and two bronze medals. Efimova claimed a bronze medal.
Russian national team coach Anastasia Kukushkina said she misses seeing the Russian flag at international competitions.
“I want to sing our national anthem and walk out with our flag. I want to defend the colors of my country,” Kukushkina said.
“I have a tradition — before every competition, I do my nails with the colors of the Russian tricolor, but now I cannot,” she added. “I have to adapt and paint them in the colors of the flag of the host country.”
