The issue stemmed from a public interview with Mikhail Degtyarev, the Minister of Sports in Russia, in which he described athletes who change their nationality as 'pure betrayal'. In a program aired on the VK platform, he stated that if a Russian athlete renounces their citizenship to compete internationally for another country, they should be banned from entering Russia and have all their titles stripped away. This statement quickly gained traction in European media, highlighting the tension surrounding Russian athletes' participation in international sports events.

Reports indicate that there are about 38 athletes participating in the upcoming Winter Olympics under foreign flags instead of representing Russia. Notably, pairs figure skaters Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko, who ranked fourth in the last competition, could be significantly affected by these threats as they train predominantly in Russia. Analysts warn that if travel restrictions and facility access are enforced, these athletes’ careers could be severely hampered, despite competing for Hungary.

Degtyarev expressed his frustration, noting that the Russian government had supported these athletes with funding, education, coaching, and access to sports facilities for years, only for them to 'throw away their passports and vanish'. He emphasized that stricter sanctions could potentially deter such behavior in the future. This situation has led to rising concerns among the athletes themselves, as many worry about the repercussions for their families still living in Russia, especially after changing their national representation to countries like Poland and Ukraine.