Relocate to compete : a critical view on the diaspora of Russian athletes

Abstract

Among the many areas experiencing the growing interplay between geopolitical dynamics and sport is athlete migration and sporting nationality change. These often occur as a reaction to factors such as economic incentives, career prospects, political stability, or personal safety. The current scholarship on this topic is, however, largely underdeveloped. This brief research report critically assesses data on the migration of Russian athletes following the 2022 conflict in Ukraine and related sanctions on Russia. The report reveals that the number of Russian athletes who changed their sporting nationality in order to compete continues to rise, with key sports affected at the moment being chess, figure skating, wrestling, equestrian, auto racing, and soccer. This wave of migration includes both top-level and mid-level athletes, notably featuring six medalists from the 2024 Olympics. The destinations chosen by Russian athletes post-2022 largely align with broader Russian migration patterns, while some also relocated to sporting powerhouses in the Global North. Perspectives on this migration vary depending on stakeholders: state officials stress the investments made in athlete development and call for compensation or loyalty, whereas fellow athletes frame migration as an individual necessity dictated by career prospects and longevity. Athlete migration highlights unique challenges in governance, ethics, and policy-making within sports. Based on our case study, future research directions are outlined to empirically examine the situation through the lens of sports ethics and integrity.