The image traveled the world and generated repudiation in the midst of the war that continues in Ukraine after the invasion of Vladimir Putin's troops. A young 15-year-old driver named Artem Severiukhin, born in Russia, was targeted for making an alleged Nazi gesture on the podium after winning the FIA Karting Championship European Championship, which took place in the Portuguese city of Portimão.
In the video you can see the Russian karting rider hit his chest and then extend his arm doing the traditional fascist salute . What's more, after a few seconds, he starts laughing out loud as the anthem of Italy, the flag of the country under which he competes, is being sung since the International Automobile Federation (FIA) decided to remove the Russian insignia as a measure for the war in Europe.
Faced with this scenario, the one that took a drastic measure was the Italian motorsport federation. The entity clarified that it withdrew Severiukhin's license. “While the extraordinary meeting of the Sports Council of the Automobile Club of Italy - called to take urgent action following the abominable and unacceptable gesture of the Russian karter Artem Severyukhin, is being held on the podium of the European junior karting race in Portimao (Portugal) - Still pending, it is known that the Executive himself has decided to immediately withdraw Severyukhin's sports license and, at the same time, sent it to the Sports Justice for evaluation of the definition of new sanctions within its competence,” said the first part of the report published by the ICA.
“Unavoidable measures, since, with his reckless gesture, Severyukhin has shown a lack of respect not only for the universal values that have always inspired every sport, but also humanity, dignity and civil coexistence,” the statement added.
Then, the azzurra federation explained how the Russian driver was able to compete under its flag. “Severyukhin had obtained the Italian license, as required by the FIA regulations, which leave young drivers of all nationalities the widest freedom of movement among international federations, to allow them to grow professionally in those countries - such as Italy - which have a great tradition in terms of training in motorsport and training drivers for professionalism”.
And they clarified: “Our country, in particular, has always been the most important in the world when it comes to karting, as evidenced by the fact that in 2021 alone, 355 foreign riders, of the most varied nationalities, obtained the Italian sports license for this discipline.”
Once the podium images were released, which included Severyukhin's provocative gesture, the FIA opened an investigation into what happened in the world of karting.
“The FIA confirms that it has launched an immediate investigation into the unacceptable conduct of Mr. Artem Severiukhin in the OK category, during Round 1 of the 2022 FIA Karting European Championship at the Algarve International Kartodrome in Portugal. The FIA will shortly communicate the additional steps that will be taken in this case,” announced the body that governs motorsport destinations on the planet.
Following this, the team for which the young Russian was racing, Ward Racing, announced his expulsion as it considered that his attitude was “a manifestation of unsportsmanlike behavior, an unacceptable violation of the ethical and moral codex of the sport”.
In the midst of the controversy, Severiukhin used his social networks to dissociate himself from the fact that the gesture he made on the podium was related to a fanaticism for Nazism. “I would like to apologize for what happened yesterday at the European Karting Championships. Standing on the podium, I made a gesture that many perceived as a Nazi greeting. But that's not true, I never supported Nazism and I consider it one of the most terrible crimes against humanity. I can't explain how everything else happened. I know it's my fault, I know I'm stupid and I'm ready to be punished. But please understand that I did not support Nazism or fascism with this gesture.”
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