CYCLIST Pavel Sivakov has officially changed nationality from Russian to French.
His application was 'fast-tracked' by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after Russia's illegal invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
The 24-year-old moved to France aged one after being born in Italy to Russian parents.
And now the INEOS Grenadiers rider is permitted to race under the French flag at 'National, World Championship and Olympic Events'.
Upon the announcement, Sivakov said: "I've wanted to become a French national for some time and had made the request to the UCI, but given what is happening in Ukraine at the moment, I wanted to fast track this.
"I want to thank the UCI and the team at INEOS Grenadiers for supporting me with this process and helping make this a reality.
"To now have the opportunity to race as a French national in international events makes me incredibly happy.
"It would be a dream to race in Paris at the 2024 Olympics for France and this is something that the team have said they would fully support."
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2Sivakov went on to say he is 'totally against' the ongoing war in Ukraine, which is now into its ninth day.
As of Thursday, over 2000 civilians are reported to have been killed in the conflict.
He continued: "As I have previously said, I am totally against this war and all my thoughts are with the Ukrainian people.
"Like most people around the world right now, I hope for peace and a swift end to the suffering happening in the Ukraine."
Governing body for cycling the UCI have acted on Vladimir Putin's invasion by announcing the suspension of all Russian or Belarusian teams.
Riders of either Russian or Belarusian nationality competing for other teams are still permitted to race but under neutral status.
Sivakov took to social media last week before the switch was announced to condemn the tragic ongoing events in Ukraine.
He wrote on Twitter: "It's been a difficult few days seeing what's currently happening. First of all I just want to say that I'm totally against the war and can't get around what's going on in Ukraine, all my thoughts are with the Ukrainian people.
"Secondly I also want people to understand that most of the Russians only want peace and never asked for all of this to happen, we shouldn't be targets of hate just because of our origin."
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