Beijing, Feb 6, Anatoly Samokhvalov. Ukrainian figure skater Ivan Shmuratko, performing in men's single skating, said that he considered his communication with Russian journalists as an attempt to create a hype on the part of the press. Previously, the skater refused to answer Russian journalists in Russian, preferring English. On Sunday, Shmuratko kindly agreed to again communicate with the Russian media in Ukrainian, questions were also asked in the athlete's native language. «This is my desire,» Shmuratko answered the question of journalists whether the non-use of the Russian language in his answers was the result of some kind of ban. — You wrote, that «Ukrainian skaters don't speak.» I didn't say that. I said that I'm a Ukrainian skater. I speak Ukrainian and English because there is an international press here, I'm Ukrainian.» «I just want to do that,» continued the athlete in response to the remark that other Ukrainian skaters agree to talk in Russian in Beijing. — It’s more convenient for me, it’s more pleasant. This is their desire. I really respect people who respect me, but when I see in response just hype… On in my opinion, it was to hype me.»
