Olympic champion in short track Semyon Yelistratov spoke about communication with Ukrainians at the 2022 Games in Beijing. His words are quoted by RIA Novosti.
The Russian shared the fact that he has long been friends with the Ukrainian athlete Oleg Gandey. According to Elistratov, there are no problems in communication due to tense relations between the countries. “Oleg always tells me: “Sam, don’t pay attention, this is politics.” He said many times that we are fraternal peoples. It also seems to me, maybe I’m wrong, that we are fraternal peoples, we still have the same blood, ”said the Russian athlete.
On January 21, the Ministry of Sports of Ukraine advised the athletes to refuse interviews in Russian. Also, athletes from Ukraine were forbidden to pose with the Russians for joint photos.
At the Summer Games in Tokyo, a scandal was provoked by a photo of Ukrainian high jumper Yaroslava Maguchy together with Russian Maria Lasitskene: both athletes became winners of high jump competitions. At home, the Ukrainian was criticized and was summoned to a conversation with the Ministry of Defense.
The Winter Olympic Games in Beijing will be held from February 4 to 20.
Source: Lenta
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