The story of the joint photographs and hugs of the Russian woman Maria Lasitskene and the Ukrainian woman Yaroslava Maguchikh at the Olympic Games in Tokyo was continued.
A 19-year-old athlete from Dnipro broke the silence and commented on the criticism in her address, while declaring a "war" between the countries.
The scandal around the Maguchikh erupted after the end of the high jump competition, in which the Ukrainian athlete took third place, and Lasitskene won.
After the final, the girls congratulated each other, hugged each other and posed together in front of the photographers.
The rituals usual for such competitions caused a mixed reaction in Ukraine.
Maguchikh was harassed by fans and local politicians, and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine called the athlete for a conversation, since she is a junior lieutenant of the country's armed forces.
On August 12, Maguchikh, along with the rest of the Ukrainian team, returned home and commented on the hype around her.
She said that there is no need to look for political implications in her actions, since she only observed the etiquette accepted in sports.
“After the competition, first of all, everyone traditionally congratulated each other.
This was not my political position.
We have freedom of conscience, so I am grateful to all the people who supported me and understand.
I also want to thank the people who criticize me, because this is an experience for me and it will make me stronger, ”the high jumper said to“ Today ”.
After that, Maguchikh separately expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian soldiers, who, according to her, are participating in the "war with Russia."
She emphasized that she followed accepted traditions when taking pictures with Lasitskene.
“I repeat, this was not an expression of any political position.
Moreover, I do not want to deny that there is a war going on between Ukraine and the Russian Federation.
We just congratulated each other according to the Olympic traditions.
And I really respect the warriors who fight so that we can perform in the international arena, ”the athlete added.
In a conversation with reporters, Maguchikh also mentioned that she was warned about how to behave at the Olympic Games.
However, the athlete was overwhelmed with emotions.
“Yes, we were instructed.
But I was on emotions, it was an emotional competition for me.
I am still a young athlete, and this is the Olympic Games.
I had physical problems, but I was very glad that I coped.
We just congratulated each other, as did the athlete from Australia.
First of all, nothing will spoil the experience of the Olympic Games, because these are competitions that every athlete aspires to get into.
And when I got there, and already in qualification I realized that I was a finalist of the Olympic Games - no one can spoil these emotions, ”the Ukrainian woman is quoted by“ Suspilne ”.
A little later, Maguchikh spoke again about what happened, posting a message on her Instagram.
She said that her dream of an Olympic medal came true in Tokyo, and this caused a strong surge of feelings after the competition.
“Dear compatriots, I know that my photo with a Russian sportswoman caused a great response.
I want to explain what happened.
Performing at the Olympics is the dream and meaning of the whole life of every athlete!
Words cannot convey emotions at the moment when my dream came true!
I obeyed not only the height, but also the Olympic medal!
I was delighted with the victory.
At such moments I want to hug the whole world, ”Maguchikh wrote, without mentioning the name of Lasitskene.
After that, the athlete again spoke about the "war" between Ukraine and Russia, stressing that she supports the army of her country.
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Publication from Yaroslava Mahuchikh (@rosya_dp)
The Minister of Sports of Ukraine Vadim Gutsait did not stay away from the scandal.
He noted that the athlete should not be persecuted so that she would not be tempted to move to another country, and promised to work out the question of how Ukrainian athletes should behave in situations that Maguchikh got into in the future.
“I saw how she was happy, how she felt that she gave all her strength for this medal and this performance.
Each athlete, when he wins, begins to congratulate others, everyone congratulates each other.
And she began to congratulate other athletes who were nearby, and there was an athlete from the ROC, from the Russian Federation.
At that moment, she probably did not hold back her emotions, "Gutsait is quoted by Interfax-Ukraine.