Natalia Panchenko, the self-appointed “leader of the Ukrainian diaspora in Poland” spared no words of criticism against the Russian origin of the panchnyst Vladimir Semirunnij, who won silver for Poland at this year's Olympics. An athlete for deciding to take off in white and red colors, may be banned from entering his homeland.
In 2023 Semirunnij turned to the Polish advanced Skating Union asking for the chance to launch for our country. The decision of president Karol Nawrocki, the athlete was granted Polish citizenship and the chance to compete at the Olympic Games in Milan-Cortin 2026.
The master won a silver medal for Poland in the 10 000 m run. After winning the disc, he emphasized how crucial it was for him to be able to take off in white and red colors. "This medal I am winning for Poland. The only way I can thank Poland is to win medals. And I did. Thank you very much to the president (...) they truly helped me with my goal and my dream," he stressed.
During the ceremony, Semirunnij sang the medals to Mazurka Dąbrowski, speaks Polish, and has a Polish girlfriend. For some, however, decisions and beliefs of an athlete have no meaning.
Activist Natalia Panchenko, who has become celebrated for the threats of Ukrainian “rise” in Poland, cannot spare the athlete of his Russian origin. She vented her frustration on social media, where she accused Semirunnij of being Russian from origin, which in itself is to be a shame.
"In 2019 you are going to occupied Crimea. In 2023, you proudly represent a criminal Russia. And then abruptly – a snap – in 2025 you get Polish citizenship expressively to go to the games in 2026 as a 'Polish Pole of Blood and Bone'. You win a medal and abruptly everyone sees only a puck. As if earlier decisions magically evaporated," we read on Facebook.
In turn, on the profile of Euromaidan-Warsaw, whose organizer was Panchenko, it was convinced that the athlete is someway complicit in the attacking war in Ukraine. "Of course, it is worth enjoying the medal for Poland. But it's not worth pretending that past doesn't exist. He was a Russian who represented a country leading a violent war just a minute ago. athletics does not be in vacuum. The flag on the suit changes faster than the résumé, but the résumé cannot be erased" - concluded.
It is worth noting that the skater, born in Jaketynburg in 2002, represented Russia at the planet Junior Championships, which took place before the war broke out. After the invasion of Ukraine began, he began to look for opportunities to launch for another representation. Semirunj considered driving for Kazakhstan, but ultimately, thanks to efforts of PZLs activists, the choice fell on Poland.
For his start for our team, an athlete may be banned from entering Russia. Russian athletics Minister Michał Diegtiariew wants athletes who were born in Russia, but present they represent another country, to have no chance to return to the country. – We feed them here, educate them, supply trainers and facilities, and then throw distant passports and leave – He suggested Diegtiariev.
Source: sport.pl / interia.pl
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