Two members of the Russian women’s 4x400-meter relay team who gained attention for kissing at the World Track and Field Championships denied it was out of protest of Russia’s anti-gay law.
One of the 4x400 team members called one of the published images a photographer’s “sick fantasy,” according to R-Sport.
The photograph to the right is of Ksenia Ryzhova and Yulia Guschina kissing, according to R-Sport. It was reported previously that it was of Ryzhova and Tatyana Firova.
“The storm of emotions going through us was incredible,” Ryzhova said, according to The Associated Press. “And if we, accidentally, while congratulating each other, touched lips, excuse me. We think the whole fuss is more of a sick fantasy not grounded in anything.”
All four members of the 4x400-meter final team exchanged kisses on the podium after receiving their gold medals (video here).
“Yesterday I got calls from probably 20 different media outlets and instead of congratulating us for the gold medal, they decided to insult me and Julia (Guschina) and the entire federation,” Ryzhova said at a Moscow press conference Tuesday, according to R-Sport.
Ryzhova said she and Guschina have no personal relationship and are both married.