Villainous Vilnius veto: Pentathlete won’t compete for Russia in London
Published: 08 February, 2012, 16:38
Yet another major legal battle in sport is looming, this time to help medal hopeful Donata Rimsaite represent Russia at this summer's London Olympics. The modern pentathlete was born in Lithuania, but has obtained a Russian passport.
In my point of view, Lithuania Olimpics officials doing right, because to prepare Rimsaite or any other athlete need a lot of money, coach work etc. Plus, if she is married to another country citizen, why she has taken that citizenship and could not do it after London Olimpics, if it is so important for her? I think easiest way is to look to all type of athletes like an item. If they want to represent other country, let new country pay required amount of money for country which raised up and prepared person. As capitalistic world learns us - everybody has its own price.
@SnoopyFan
We are NOT slaves -> we DO NOT have a price tag on us. It must be up to us to choose who we want to represent, and by choosing Russian citizenship Donata made a choice.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but she already represented Russia, hence her current training takes place in Russia. So, following your logic, Russia also invested money in her!
Wow ...what vindictive garbage these Lithuanians are....They won't let their own daughter compete at what she does best...If she wins a gold, it will be for both Russia & Lithuania.....
I am Lithuanian, and even though I am one of many who lives in a foreign land, I still do not support her. Why? Because the country she picked was Russia. Anyone with even the lowest level of knowledge of history should be able to understand why she is called a traitor for representing them. I have no doubt had it been any other country that Lithuania would have allowed their athlete to represent it.
@ S....Yeah I'm sure the Lithuanians wouldn't mind if Donata represented the Germans, since the Lithuanians share the same Nazi past as the Germans.




The Lithuanians are being very foolish. Let Donata represent Russia if she wishes.