Artem Severiukhin will be investigated after performing a Nazi salute
A 15-year-old Russian karting champion is set to be investigated after he was spotted performing what looked like a Nazi salute on the on a winner's podium.
Artem Severiukhin came first in the 11-15 age bracket at the FIA Karting Word Championships hosted in the Algarve, Portugal last weekend.
Severiukhin was also spotted giggling and sharing jokes
Severiukhin was celebrating his win on the podium before footage went viral that left spectators shocked and appalled after the Russian appeared to beat his chest and perform a Nazi salute.
The 15-year-old was then seen giggling and sharing a joke with one of the spectators at the front while the Italian national anthem was played.
Due to Russia's ban from competing as a result of the country's invasion of Ukraine in February, Severiukhin was competing under the Italian flag. It is unknown as to why the youngster was allowed to compete under the Italian flag.
Throughout the war in Ukraine, Russian president Vladimir Putin has continuously attempted to justify his reason for invading the neighbouring country by claiming he is 'denazifying' the country as part of a 'special military operation.'
Putin and the Kremlin continue to make these claims despite the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, being Jewish.
Severiukhin's actions are also made even more disturbing given that the public performance of fascist salutes has been banned in Italy since 1952, following the fall of dictator Benito Mussolini in 1945.
https://twitter.com/tvtoront/status/1513451500751953920
FIA Statement
The FIA confirmed that they would be launching an investigation.
Their statement said: "The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile confirms that it has launched an immediate investigation into the unacceptable conduct of Mr Artem Severiukhin that occurred during the podium ceremony for the OK category at Round 1 of the 2022 FIA Karting European Championship at the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal.
"The FIA will communicate shortly on the further steps that will be taken in this case."
https://twitter.com/fia/status/1513505605750857730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1513505605750857730%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.skysports.com%2Fmore-sports%2Fmotor-racing%2Fnews%2F15749%2F12588154%2Frussian-karter-artem-severiukhin-15-under-fia-investigation-after-unacceptable-gesture-on-podium
Severiukhin's response
Severiukhin has since reacted to the fallout and claimed that he wasn't performing a Nazi salute.
In a message posted on Monday, he said: "I want to apologise to everyone for what happened in the European Karting Championships yesterday.
"Standing on the podium, I made a gesture that can be perceived as a Nazi salute, this is not true. I have never supported Nazism and consider it one of the worst crimes against humanity.
"I'm from Russia. I thanked the team and my relatives from Russia. Someone saw a bad gesture in my actions, but it's not. I just thanked them. I am Russian, I am from Russia and I stand by my country."
https://twitter.com/F1FeederSeries1/status/1513524190556663813
Ward Racing statement
Ward Racing, who Severiukhin races for, have also confirmed that they are planning to terminate his contract.
Their statement read: "Ward Racing is deeply in shame of the pilot's behaviour which it condemns in the strongest possible terms. Action will promptly be taken accordingly.
"The actions of Artem Severyukhin during the award ceremony on April 10, 2022 were exclusively individual and do not represent the views and values of Ward Racing in any manner. On the contrary, Ward Racing stands with the international community condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and expresses its solidarity with the people suffering because of this unprovoked and horrific attack.
"Ward Racing accordingly condemns the personal actions of pilot Artem Severyukhin during the award ceremony on April 10, 2022 in the strongest possible terms, as it considers them a manifestation of unsportsmanlike behaviour, an unacceptable violation of the ethical and moral sports codex.
"With this statement, Ward Racing expresses its opinion, as well as the opinion of all athletes and staff of the Ward Racing team. On the basis of these considerations, Ward Racing sees no possibility for continued cooperation with Artem Severyukhin and will proceed with terminating his racing contract."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CcNkpgGNCWs/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=8af05eab-e916-4c7e-bb27-d32f0241c698
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