Three-time Olympic wrestling champion Alexander Karelin called for an end to criticism of two-time Olympic pole vault champion Elena Isinbayeva, who has been living abroad for the last few years. Details are provided by RIA Novosti.
Karelin made such a statement following the statements of State Duma deputy Vyacheslav Fetisov, who called the athlete's actions cynical.
Karelin stressed that Isinbayeva is a unique daughter of Russia and an outstanding athlete who has repeatedly taken on difficult loads, especially during her work in the IOC Athletes' Commission. He recalled that the athlete's training abroad was a common practice even before the current events, and her current place of residence is only a consequence of long—standing circumstances.
"Don't touch her," the legendary wrestler summed up, calling criticism of Isinbayeva groundless speculation.
Elena Isinbayeva is a two—time Olympic champion (Athens-2004 and Beijing-2008), bronze medalist of London-2012, multiple world record holder. From 2016 to 2024, she was a member of the IOC Athletes' Commission. Currently living in Europe, she is also known as a person involved in a scandal involving the Russian Ministry of Defense.
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