Disapproving of Vladimir Putin’s policies, former cross-country skier Valery Gontar left Russia earlier this year and gave up his citizenship. The 29-year-old pays a high price for this.
In an interview with the Norwegian newspaper “Dagbladet”, Gontar reported on the severe hostilities he has received since fleeing Russia. “There are people who threaten that they will find me, hang me up and shoot me. They demand that I get on my knees and ask the Russians for forgiveness,” said the 29-year-old, who left his homeland a few weeks before war against Ukraine and gave up his citizenship.
The former cross-country skier gave political reasons as the reason for his flight. “I would like to speak more about my political views, but for the sake of my sister’s safety, I have to keep these views to myself. My sister still lives in Russia,” explained the former cross-country talent, who is currently at an undisclosed location resides within the EU.
In the meantime, Gontar continued, fake news about him is already being spread in Russia. It is said that he has taken Ukrainian citizenship.
“That’s a complete lie. The Russian media are trying to construct an image of me and present me as a fraud. And that’s why I’m receiving these threats,” said the 29-year-old, who published the first fake news on the portal a few weeks ago discovered “championship”. Said portal also claimed that he was staying in Austria. However, according to Gontar, that does not correspond to the facts either.
Russia silences Gontar
In the past, the 29-year-old not only had problems with the politics of his native country, but also with those responsible who, in his eyes, blocked his way into the cross-country skiing World Cup. Because he was someone who also publicly criticized him, he was silenced, Goncar accused those responsible for sport.
“I say what I think and look those responsible in the eye. There are many who don’t like it because they’re afraid I’ll reveal something that they’re trying to hide,” said Gontar.