Russian biathlete Rusinov to play for Ukraine
Russian biathlete Dmitry Rusinov is preparing to perform for Ukraine.
"We've had a conversation with him. If he is let free without any conflict, retires and gets an employment record book, we'll talk to him. It seems that he's been let free, there are no problems, and maybe he will come to our country in the next few days," President of the Biathlon Federation of Ukraine Volodymyr Brynzak told Interfax-Ukraine.
He noted that the 22-year-old Rusinov has Ukrainian roots.
"His mom lived in Ukraine, and she played for a volleyball team for 15 years. His relatives live here," Brynzak said.
He noted that since Rusinov's parents lived in Ukraine for a long time, he has the right to obtain Ukrainian citizenship through a simplified procedure.
Rusinov was selected as a reserve player for the Biathlon World Cup and the European Biathlon Championships in the squad of the Russian team, but now he is expected to play for Ukraine at the European Biathlon Championships in Bansko, Italy, in late February 2013.
As reported, on January 24, Brynzak confirmed that Russian biathlete Maria Panfilova plans to perform for the Ukrainian national team.