Vera Lotkova (Russia)
Sport: SAMBO
Status: Individual Neutral Athlete (World Games 2025)
Vera Lotkova, granted Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) status for participation in the 12th World Games, has publicly supported Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine.
She dedicated her victory at the 2024 World Championships to her father, an occupying soldier fighting in Ukraine, and expressed support for his participation in the so-called “Special Military Operation” (SMO). She also participated in a propaganda tournament glorifying the war against Ukraine.
Such actions raise serious concerns regarding compliance with neutrality standards applicable to athletes competing under AIN status.
Sources:
– Media publication:
https://iz.ru/1788081/2024-11-08/sambistka-lotkova-posviatila-pobedu-na-chm-nakhodiashchemusia-na-svo-ottcu
– Screenshots: lotkova1.png, lotkova2.png
archived link
– Participation in propaganda tournament:
screenshots: lotkova3.png lotkova4.png, lotkova5.png
– Official letter of the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Ukraine and the National Sambo Federation of Ukraine: