Vladislav Antonov was called to the army recruitment office in the middle of the training camp.
Vladislav Antonov (right) together with his radar partner Aleksandr Denisjev at the Austrian World Championship last year. PDO
Russian luge Olympic medalist Vladislav Antonov, 31, received an invitation to the front, reports RIA Novosti. However, Antonov asked the Russian army for a postponement, as the man was supposed to start a training camp in Sochi earlier this week.
The leader of the Russian luge team Artem Petrakov said that the situation still needs to be clarified. The national team has sent the necessary documents about the postponement to the recruiting office.
– Vladislav was given a temporary postponement. He is at home now. When the certificate arrives, he goes to the recruiting office to apply for a deferment position.
Antonov won a silver medal in the mixed team competition at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. He is also the sprint world champion from two years ago. From the European luge championships, he has won two EC golds in 2018 and 2020.
Earlier, it came to the attention of the Russian media that the skeleton competitor of the Pyeongchang Olympics Vladislav Marchenkov received an invitation from the recruiting office, but he too received a temporary deferment from conscription.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin announced a partial suspension of operations in the country in September, which has also affected some top Russian athletes.