Russian athletes have reportedly appeared under false names in the list of competitors for Syria at the Arab Games in Algeria, but according to Russia's Sports Ministry there is no foul play. A Russian reporter, Sergei Lissin, said five female athletes were part of the Syrian team, although their international federations list them as Russian citizens. Lissin said two were competing in cycling and one each in athletics, badminton, and swimming. The Sports Ministry said some athletes were no longer part of Russian teams and that data on the Arab Games website was incorrect. Russian and Belarusian athletes are banned from most international sports events since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Russians Reportedly Listed As Syrian Athletes At Arab Games
Russian and Belarusian athletes are banned from most international sports events since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.