Ukrainian gymnast Illia Kovtun, silver medalist from the 2024 Olympics, has applied for Croatian citizenship. The process of obtaining a new passport is ongoing, but for now, the athlete cannot compete for Croatia due to legal restrictions, reports the Baltimore Chronicle, citing Сrosport.hr.
The head coach of the Croatian national team, Vladimir Madjarević, confirmed that Kovtun has received permission to compete from the Croatian Gymnastics Federation. However, the final decision regarding his participation in international competitions depends on the completion of the citizenship process and the registration of the citizenship change with the International Gymnastics Federation.
Madjarević also noted that there is a possibility for Kovtun to participate in the 2025 World Championships in Indonesia, but the exact timeline depends on the completion of all legal procedures. The coach emphasized that Kovtun is one of the best gymnasts and would be a valuable addition to the Croatian team.
Earlier, Kovtun and his coach Irina Gorbachova submitted their applications for Croatian citizenship. This decision sparked criticism in Ukraine, particularly from the Minister of Youth and Sports, Matviy Bidny, who expressed discontent over the athlete’s refusal to represent the national team.
It is worth recalling that Illia Kovtun left Ukraine at the beginning of the full-scale invasion and moved to Croatia, where he continued training. According to Madjarević, the athlete has already adapted to his new environment, learned the language, and integrated into the local sports community.
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