Darja Virolainen has not commented on the rumors about moving to the Finnish national team. According to his mother, transition is possible.
Darja Virolainen (right) has lived in Finland for a long time. KIMMO BRANDT/AOP
– I consider this a betrayal of the people and others who competed in the Russian national teams. Lets Darja think about what she needs later in life, a four-time biathlon world champion Vladimir Drachev download.
Rumor of a Russian biathlete Darja Virolainen33, is talking about moving to the Finnish national team in Russia.
Estonian’s former coach Leonid Myakishev claimed on Monday to Match TV that the woman will already be moving to the Finnish national team for the coming winter. Chairman of the Finnish Biathlon Union Kalle Lähdesmäki told Iltalehti that the information is not true.
According to information from the Finnish Biathlon Union, Virolainen has lived in Finland for a long time, but he does not yet have Finnish citizenship.
Estonian mother, three-time Olympic champion Anfisa Reztsova however, says that his daughter would already have a Finnish passport.
– I support Dasha. He has two citizenships, so he has the right to compete in the Finnish national team. Of course, he would compete in the Russian team, but it is not certain, because the athletes will get to international competitions again, says Retzova for Sport-Express.
– Dasha wants to compete. The Finland option is due to a hopeless situation.
Anfisa Reztsova won numerous Olympic medals and world championships in her career. PDO
Estonian’s sister Kristina Reztsova was at the Beijing Olympics winning silver in the 4×5 kilometer relay and bronze in the mixed relay.
The mother hopes that the siblings will still compete together in the colors of Russia.
– I think that if the Russians do not make it to the international games next season, Dasha will try for the Russian national team. Hopefully next year everything will be back to normal and he will compete with his sister in the Russian team.
Encouragement too
Dratšev, a four-time biathlon world champion, already considers the idea of representing Finland outrageous.
– How else would you take this as an insult? I have previously said in a similar situation that such exchanges are treason. Apparently he has other ideas, he boring for Match tv.
Four-time biathlon Olympic champion Alexander Tikhonov on the other hand, can understand Estonian.
– Of course the situation is sad, but I wouldn’t call it betrayal. The motherland raised him and gave him everything, but his sports career is short. You have to be with your home country even in difficult times. Unfortunately, everyone has an opinion.
Vladimir Dratšev does not appreciate the idea of changing the national team. EPA/AOP
Also a TV commentator Dimitri Guberniev wished the Estonian good luck.
– I will be the first happy person if he breaks into the Finnish national team. I wish him all the best. I think his children can also represent Finland.
The Estonian is a married ex-biathlon skier Roman Virolainen with. Born in Petroskoi, Karelia, Roman Virolainen represented Belarus at the 2002 Olympics.
The Russian Biathlon Union has not received a request from Estonia to change the national team.
According to Sport-Express, Virolainen does not want to comment on the matter.