This statement came after it became known that 24-year-old bronze medalist of the 2023 World Championship Shamil Mamedov intends to compete for the Bulgarian national team.
"Athletes usually quietly obtain passports from other countries first, and then, when there is nowhere to return to, they announce their intentions. They already have citizenship, and it is impossible to change the situation," Mamiashvili noted.
He suggested introducing significant financial compensation for countries that accept Russian wrestlers.
"Of course, you can't force anyone to stay. But it would be worth implementing a system of large payments, so that the country to which our wrestler moves pays compensation to our federation. However, no amount can fully assess the years of work by coaches. How can you measure a coach's contribution to the development of an athlete who has achieved high results?"
Additionally, he raised the issue that wrestlers who change teams continue to train in Russia, remaining in the same social and competitive environment. "Is this fair? I would suggest considering the appropriateness of their continued presence in the environment where they became athletes. Coaches who continue to work with them should also be aware of their responsibility," Mamiashvili added.
Shortly after his remarks, it became known that 29-year-old Malik Shavaev also decided to compete for Kyrgyzstan.
