LONDON (AP) — After racing for the Russian staff on the Tokyo Olympics, bicycle owner Pavel Sivakov introduced his nationality change to France on Friday citing the struggle in Ukraine as an element.
The 24-year-old Sivakov mentioned he grew up in France and lengthy deliberate the eligibility change with the International Cycling Union (UCI).
“I have wanted to become a French national for some time and had made the request to the UCI, but given what is happening in the Ukraine at the moment, I wanted to fast-track this,” Sivakov mentioned in an announcement launched by his British staff Ineos.
Seven months in the past, he competed for his mother and father’ nation on the Tokyo Olympics and positioned thirty second within the street race.
Pavel Sivakov’s request to swap from Russian to French nationality has been accepted. Sivakov grew up in France. pic.twitter.com/E8W0M3AMXP
— Sadhbh O’Shea (@SadhbhOS) March 4, 2022
“I was born in Italy and moved to France when I was 1-year-old,” Sivakov mentioned. “France is the place I grew up and was educated and the place I fell in love with using my bike which led me to racing.
“It looks like my residence. It can be a dream to race in Paris on the 2024 Olympics for France.”
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
