BEIJING, Feb 4, Anatoly Samokhvalov. Ukrainian figure skater Maxim Nikitin in Russian answered the questions of Russian journalists and expressed the hope that any athlete can speak the language he wants. Alexandra Nazarova/Maxim Nikitin, one of whose coaches is Russian specialist Alexander Zhulin, performed on Friday in the rhythm dance of the Olympics team tournament in Beijing. Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Vadim Gutzeit said earlier that Ukrainian athletes were advised not to stand next to the Russians during any events at the Olympic Games in order to avoid provocations. Earlier, a source said that Ukrainians were strongly advised to avoid joint photographs with Russian athletes and not to give interviews in Russian.
" they do not speak Russian. We are free people. Everyone is in a free country… I hope everyone is. And he can speak any language he wants. There were many restrictions during the pandemic, but as you can see, I am calmly communicating with you. If people have a normal dialogue… Adequate questions — adequate answers".
Earlier, another Ukrainian figure skater Ivan Shmuratko did not respond to the Russian press in Russian, preferring English.