Banned because of the support of “SVO” Russian champions of the Olympic Games found a loophole, but they were accidentally ratted out by their coach

The World Taekwondo Federation (WT) has launched an investigation into the visit of Russian Olympic champions Vladislav Larin and Maxim Khramtsov to the World Championships in Baku, Inside the Games reports. It comes after Russian head coach Vadim Ivanov said the Olympic champions were “part of the team” at an event in the Azerbaijani capital last week.

Ivanov told Russian state news agency TASS that the duo traveled to the World Championships and helped both coaches and athletes. Both Larin and Khramtsov hoped to enter the competition, but WT banned them due to open support for the invasion of Ukraine.

In total, 23 Russians were allowed to participate in the world championship in a neutral status, and Ivanov highly appreciated the help for Larin and Khramtsov at the World Cup.

“Larin and Khramtsov went to the World Championships in Baku as part of a team at the expense of the Taekwondo Union of Russia. Not only coaches helped, but also the guys, as the most experienced and titled athletes,” the coach said.

Asked by Inside the Games to comment on Larin and Khramtsov’s role in Baku, the World Taekwondo Federation said it “is aware of these reports and is investigating the matter to determine if the rules were violated.”

“We will not be making any further comments while the investigation is ongoing,” the Federation added.

Larin won Olympic gold in the weight category over 80 kg at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Khramtsov also won in the weight category up to 80 kg.

Khramtsov last year recorded a video greeting to Russian President Vladimir Putin on his 70th birthday. It was accompanied by a written communication in which the 2020 Olympic champion used the letter Z three times.

27-year-old Larin and 25-year-old Khramtsov represent the Central Army Sports Club and have competed at the Military World Games.