BEIJING, February 6, Sergey Yaremenko. Ukrainian figure skater Anastasia Shabotova said that before the interview at the Beijing Olympics, she asked what language she should speak, and noted that she could communicate in Ukrainian, while the athlete answered questions from journalists in Russian in Russian. Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Vadym 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. On January 21, a source said that Ukrainians were strongly advised to avoid joint photos with Russian athletes and not to give interviews in Russian. «Before the interview, I asked what language I should give it in. I can speak Ukrainian — this is my native language, I was born in Ukraine. I can also speak English. Now I’m skating in Kiev, my head coach is Maria Olegovna Amirkhanova, and sometimes I just consult with Svetlana Vladimirovna (Panova),» Shabotova told reporters.
