Bronze at the Olympics
German medalist threatened by Russia
Updated February 19, 2026 – 5:10 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Nikita Volodin and his dance partner Minerva Hase won bronze for Germany in Olympic figure skating. A Russian sports official doesn’t like that at all.
Mikhail Degtyaryov, Russia’s sports minister and head of the National Olympic Committee, has accused Germany’s bronze medalist Nikita Volodin of treason. On Russian state television, Degtyaryov said: “Changing citizenship is pure treason. And that’s my opinion, and it’s right.”
As a consequence, he wants to make entry more difficult for athletes who have changed their Russian citizenship in favor of another. “We provide them with food, education, trainers and sports facilities. And then, boom, they throw away their passports and disappear. If we take everything away from them, ban them from entering and using our sports facilities, then we have achieved our goal.”
Nikita Volodin, who the statements are aimed at, could be affected by these consequences. The 26-year-old was born in St. Petersburg, was naturalized in Germany in late summer 2025 and now has two passports. He has been running with Minerva Hase since 2022. Degtyaryov doesn’t seem to like the fact that the first joint medal followed.
Volodin and Hase do not comment on Russia and the war against Ukraine due to the threat of consequences. According to “Bild,” Hase said: “We have a clear opinion, but it remains private.” Volodin was completely silent.
video | Olympic star bursts into derisive laughter
Player is loading
Rabbit and Volodin do not want to provoke the Russian government, as Volodin’s parents still live in Russia with his seven-year-old sister, who does speed skating. Volodin’s girlfriend also lives in Russia.