Analysts treat reaction to awarding North-Caucasian athletes as politically motivated

Criticism of Dagestani athletes for taking part in the Olympics under foreign countries' flags by Vitaly Milonov, a State Duma MP, evidences political motivation and aims at opposing residents of the Caucasus to Russians in general. This was stated by the experts interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot", who has stressed that regardless of which country the athletes compete for, they remain a source of pride for their nations in Northern Caucasus.

On August 21, the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, announced the awarding of two athletes who won medals at the Olympics in Paris. Razambek Zhamalov, a gold medallist, competed for Uzbekistan; and Islam Dudaev, a bronze medallist, competed for Albania. Both were given keys to new apartments, and Zhamalov also received 10 million roubles. Dauren Kuruguliev, a Dagestani fighter, who competed for Greece and won a bronze medal, was awarded with an apartment in Derbent. The news of the awards have caused a mixed reaction among Telegram users.

Vitaly Milonov, a Russian State Duma MP, has stated that he will demand an inquiry by the General Prosecutor's Office (GPO) into the matter. "It looks strange when a government official gives an apartment to an athlete who had renounced his native country and literally ripped our flag off his uniform?" he asked in his Telegram channel.

Milrad Fatullaev, the editor-in-chief of the RIA "Derbent", has noted that serious claims to the athletes could only arise if they compete for the countries whose policies are unfavourable to Russia, such as Israel, the United States or Great Britain.

The Chechen society perceives the victories of their fellow countrymen with pride regardless of what flag they perform under, said a local opposition-tuned journalist has noted.

He has criticized Milonov's position by treating it as dictated by "a racist ideology that resonates in the modern Russian society."

The source has expressed some regret that the Chechen athletes who have achieved success "are trying to gain Ramzan Kadyrov's favour, allowing him to record these victories as his assets."

The Caucasian nations, such as Chechens, Avars, Nogais and others, don't split their champions by the countries they represent, said a well-known Russian expert on the Caucasus. According to his story, Caucasian nations are small, and for them a person who has become a champion is a great source of pride.