Russian fencer and Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Sergei Bida has expressed his intention to obtain U.S. citizenship in order to participate in the upcoming Games in Paris, USA Today reports.
The athlete's wife Violetta Bida, also a fencer and silver medalist at the World and European Fencing Championships, similarly confirmed her readiness to represent the USA. The Olympic Committee and the U.S. National Fencing Federation have already sent letters to Congress to speed up the process of obtaining citizenship for the Bida spouses.
Jack Vine, the lawyer of the Russians, noted that in order to become American citizens by the beginning of the Olympic Games, it is necessary to pass the relevant law by the Senate and the House of Representatives and then to have it signed by President Joe Biden.
National Fencing Federation CEO Phil Andrews emphasized in his letter the importance of supporting the fencers' decision, noting their willingness to represent the country under difficult circumstances.
Sergei Bida and Violetta Khrapina were declared wanted by the Interior Ministry late last year before leaving for the United States. Relatives of the athletes said they had tried several times to resign from the Rosguard, but were refused.
State Duma deputy Alexander Khinshtein earlier emphasized that the fencers deliberately left Russia, and the criminal case was opened under the article "unauthorized abandonment of a unit," as both athletes were in the reserve of the Russian Armed Forces.