By Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber and Parniyan Zemaryalai

BEIJING, (Reuters) – With Russian troops encamped at Ukraine’s border, the Beijing Olympics has seen athletes representing both countries make a fragile peace. This was helped by the coronavirus restrictions that were meant to prevent competitors from getting apart.

Ukraine instructed its athletes to stay away from Russians whenever possible, and how to act in the event of a confrontation. The COVID-19 restrictions placed in Beijing’s Olympic bubble limit but do not eliminate interactions.

Ukrainian bobsledder Lidiia Hounko admitted that her Russian rivals were not good friends. “We are close to our team. We don’t keep in touch with Russians.”

She said that the job of an athlete at the Olympics was not to score political points but rather win medals.

Although she hadn’t heard about any incident between the competitors of the two countries, she stated that the increasing political tensions in Ukraine had had an impact on the Ukrainian Olympians.

Hunko explained that “this situation (around Ukraine), affects us because all of our family has friends there,” Hunko added. Although we consider people individuals and treat them as such, it leaves an impression.

‘JUST POLITICS’

Ukrainian athletes are still very quiet about their home situation. Reporters are asked not to question Ukrainian athletes about politics by the Olympic Committee. They claim it makes them lose their emotional ground.

Maksym Nikiin (ice dancer) quickly switched to food when asked how the Olympic Village atmosphere was described in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Ivan Shmuratko, figure skater in Ukraine dodged questioning about Ukraine’s mood and said he was there to perform his best.

Russian Olympians are not allowed to compete without the Russian flag or national anthem due to doping sanctions. They have stressed that harsh remarks made by politicians from both countries have not infiltrated interactions in Beijing.

A recent session of speed skating on short tracks saw camaraderie. Semyon Elstratov (Russian bronze medallist in men’s 1,500m at 2018 Games) was given a push to train for relay by Oleh Handei from Ukraine.

Elistratov said that “We have friendly relationships.” “Oleh constantly tells me that it is just politics.

Russian officials stated that they oppose the politicization of the Games and the boycott by certain Western countries.

Oleg Matytsin, Sports Minister of Ukraine told TASS that if Ukrainian athletes are successful at 2022 Games they will be sincerely pleased and congratulated on their medals.