Yelena Isinbaeva Putin Images
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Yelena Isinbaeva Russian Army Controversy
Russian pole vaulter and two-time Olympic gold medalist Yelena Isinbaeva has issued a statement addressing her ties to the Russian military and her future with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
New Delhi : In a statement posted to her social media account on Monday, Yelena Isinbaeva said that she has been a member of the Russian Army Sports Club since 2018 and has been awarded several medals and titles for her athletic achievements. However, she said that she has never served in the Russian military and is not a member of the Russian parliament or any political party.
Isinbayeva also said that she has been a member of the IOC since 2016 and will resume her work with the organization in September 2023. She said that the IOC has conducted an investigation into her ties to the Russian military and has found no evidence of wrongdoing. Yelena Isinbaeva Denies Serving in Russian Army
Yelena Isinbaeva Denies Serving in Russian Army
“I am a citizen of the world,” Isinbayeva said in her statement. “I believe in the best in everyone, and I believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference in the world.”
Isinbayeva’s statement comes at a time when she is facing criticism for her ties to the Russian military. In 2015, she was awarded the rank of major in the Russian Army by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Her ties to the Russian military have led to questions about her future with the IOC, which has imposed sanctions on Russia for its role in the 2014 Winter Olympics doping scandal. Yelena Isinbaeva Denies Serving in Russian Army
In her statement, Isinbayeva said that she is committed to her work with the IOC and that she will continue to work to promote the Olympic values of peace, unity, and respect.
