South Korean-born speed skater Viktor Ahn has explained his reasons for switching allegiance to the Russian Federation.
The 28-year-old, who was born as Ahn Hyun-Soo, became a Russian citizen in 2011 to compete for the 2014 Winter Olympics host, having previously featured for the country of his birth.
In 2008, Ahn got an injury while competing for the South Korean Olympic team and could not qualify for the 2010 Games in Vancouver.
"I wanted to go into any kind of sport but it was impossible to do that in Korea," Ahn is quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS. "Russia offered better conditions to me.
"I did everything I could. Of course, it was not always easy but I wanted to participate in one more Olympics. When I was making that decision, I knew it was going to be a great trial.
"I am very grateful to Russia and Alexei Kravtsov, the head of the Russian Speed Skating Union, for this chance."
Ahn, who clinched three gold medals for South Korea at the 2006 Games in Turin, took his tally of gold at the 2014 Winter Olympics to three on Friday by winning the men's 500m and the 5,000m team relay.
Giuseppe Labellarte
