The Russian winner of the Olympiad will receive citizenship of Serbia

The Serbian Federation of Swimming began the procedure for registering the country's citizenship for the Russian swimmer Arkady Vyatchanin, reports Lenta.ru with reference to the organization’s statement.

"With the assistance of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as well as the personal interest of the Minister of Udovichich (Minister of Sports Serbia Vanya Udovichich), it is planned that the procedure for registering Serbian citizenship will be executed as soon as possible," the report said.

Earlier, the athlete expressed a desire to play for the United States. The 30-year-old swimmer also considered the option of speaking at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro under the flag of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

After a series of conflicts with the leadership and coaching staff of the Russian national team, Vyatchanin in April 2013 after the final of the Cup of the country in Kazan announced the decision to complete the performance for the national team and change sports citizenship.

Vyatchanin won two bronze medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the athlete is a four-time European champion and a three-time silver medalist of the world championships. He specializes in swimming on the back at distances of 50, 100 and 200 meters.