Cypriot flag bearer faces controversy ahead of Paris Olympics

The Cypriot athlete Elena Koulichenko, set to be the flag bearer for Cyprus at the upcoming Paris Olympics, has come under scrutiny following a Greek media report from eReportaz that has sparked reactions and controversy.

As the world gears up for the Olympic Games, scheduled to begin in Paris next Friday, Koulichenko has found herself at the center of a media storm. The report resurrects the contentious issue of "golden passports," suggesting that her Cypriot citizenship, as well as that of her parents, was secured through this controversial scheme. Additionally, the report makes unverified claims about "salacious" videos purportedly featuring Koulichenko, which her legal team vehemently denies, stating that the videos were generated using AI.

Despite the media uproar, there has been no formal complaint filed with authorities regarding the alleged videos or any other matter related to Koulichenko.

Further complicating the situation, Al Jazeera's investigations have highlighted that Koulichenko’s parents, originally from Russia, obtained Cypriot passports in 2018. The investigations also mention that her father, Alexei Kulichenko, owns a company sanctioned by Ukraine following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Koulichenko, who is competing for Cyprus due to World Athletics Federation sanctions against Russia, was chosen as the flag bearer based on her athletic merits and availability. Nikos Sofiopoulos, the press officer for the Cyprus Olympic Committee (COC), confirmed that her selection was due to her high global ranking among Cypriot athletes and logistical considerations, as some athletes will be competing in other cities or have events scheduled the morning after the opening ceremony.

The COC remains steadfast in its decision, despite public debate and questions about potential contributions from Koulichenko's family to the committee. Sofiopoulos dismissed such inquiries as insulting and did not provide further details.

Elena Koulichenko, born on July 28, 2002, in Odintsovo, Russia, currently resides in Georgia, U.S., where she is pursuing her studies. She holds the Cyprus record in the high jump with a mark of 1.93 meters, achieved on March 30, 2024. Her notable achievements include winning the gold medal at the European Championships U23 in 2023 and placing second at the World University Championships the same year.

As the controversy unfolds, Koulichenko and the Cypriot delegation prepare to represent their country at one of the most prestigious global sporting events, with the hope that the focus will soon return to their athletic performances rather than the surrounding allegations.