In a recent interview, Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev expressed outrage over athletes who have chosen to represent other countries instead of Russia, asserting that they should be penalized by having their entry into Russia forbidden and being barred from using Russian sports facilities. This sentiment reflects a wider frustration within Russia as more athletes are leaving amid the backdrop of the country's isolation due to its aggression in Ukraine and previous doping scandals.

The ongoing geopolitical tensions have severely affected Russian athletes, who have already been stripped of the opportunity to compete under their national flag at major events such as the 2022 Winter Olympics and the previous Summer Games. As international sanctions continue to isolate Russia, many athletes have made the difficult decision to leave their homeland in search of better competitive opportunities, further depleting Russia's presence in international sports.

The situation in Italy this year illustrates the ongoing conflict; despite sanctions and bans, several athletes with evidently Russian names continue to compete. The Russian sports community faces significant upheaval as it grapples with the implications of both political issues and the rising trend of athletes seeking to represent other countries, potentially diminishing Russia's long-standing sports legacy.