ISTANBUL Sofia Yakushina, a promising 19-year-old heptathlete from Russia, has officially become a Turkish citizen and will now represent Türkiye in international competitions — a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Russian officials. The naturalization of Yakushina was carried out under a talent acquisition program overseen by the Turkish Youth and Sports Ministry. Her decision to switch national teams, however, has not been welcomed in her home country. According to Turkish media outlets,