Irina Rodnina, a three-time Olympic champion and State Duma deputy, does not believe that Russian mixed-style (MMA) fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov should be awarded the title of Hero of Russia. It is reported by “Sport-Express”.
Rodnina expressed the opinion that this award should not be awarded to athletes at all. “I didn’t see anything heroic in Nurmagomedov’s actions,” the parliamentarian stressed.
In addition, Rodnina recalled that the last time the title was awarded was under Russian President Boris Yeltsin. She meant the rewarding of the Olympic champion in cross-country skiing Larisa Lazutina.
Earlier on November 4, State Duma deputy Gadzhimurad Omarov made a proposal to award Nurmagomedov the title of Hero of Russia. “Guys like Khabib are worthy role models for the younger generation, because each generation should have its own idols!” – he declared.
On October 24, Nurmagomedov defeated American Justin Gage in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) tournament, retaining the promoted lightweight belt. After the fight, he announced his retirement from the sport. The fighter noted that now he will have to look for himself in a new capacity.
