The 2024 Olympic vice-champion, Ukrainian gymnast Ilya Kovtun, has decided not to compete for the national team anymore. Together with his coach Irina Gorbachova, the athlete aims to change his sports citizenship and join the Croatian national team.
According to Tribuna.com portal, Ilya and his coach did not return to Ukraine after the Olympic Games in Paris, where Kovtun won a silver medal in parallel bars. During 2024, the athlete trained in Croatia and now intends to defend the colors of this country.
Kovtun, as one of the most talented Ukrainian gymnasts, also won three gold medals at the European Championships in Rimini this year. Kovtun and Gorbachev are expected to make a final decision on the change of citizenship and transition to the Croatian national team by the end of 2024.
It is worth noting that Kovtun's coach previously stated that the Ukrainian authorities did not support the preparation of her ward for the Olympic Games, and all the work, in particular, educational and training meetings and operations, was carried out at their own expense.
