Gleb Smolkin: “I think it was the right decision to switch to Georgia. I think it’s calmer for everyone this way. In Russia, athletes do their thing, we do ours, we have our own path, and we chose it for our own reasons.”
Ice dancers Gleb Smolkin and Diana Davis, now representing Georgia, reflect on their Olympic experience and the decision to switch federations
original source: Sport-Express
Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin commented on their decision to represent Georgia and also shared that the ice at the Olympic arena in Milan is not of the best quality. Here’s a translation of their comments.
Davis and Smolkin represented Russia until 2023. They competed for the Russian team at the 2022 Olympics, finishing 14th.
“Q: Can you compare your Olympic experience in Beijing and now?
Gleb Smolkin: It’s hard to compare. First, there’s a big audience. And in general, everyone interacts with each other, there aren’t endless masks. Yesterday, we even met the president of Georgia here – there’s just a lot happening.
The fact that Georgia now hopes to fight for a medal also adds excitement. The president is sitting in the stands.
Q: Is the team’s goal bronze?
Gleb Smolkin: Well, to fight for it, of course. The fact that Georgia is one of the contenders is already nice. Of course, you have to aim for the highest dreams – then you might reach something.
Q: In Russia, I think a lot of people still support you as their own, right? Is that the right feeling?
Gleb Smolkin: We’re happy in any case, no matter who supports us or where they’re from, and for whatever reason. So thank you very much to everyone who supports us.
Q: Can you say it was the right decision to switch federations? Because you’re here now.
Gleb Smolkin: I think it was the right one, yes. I think it’s calmer for everyone this way. In Russia, athletes do their thing, we do ours, we have our own path, and we chose it for our own reasons.
Basically, we’re moving forward calmly, as you should in dance. We don’t want to stand in line, but we’re moving, even if it’s just a little. Sometimes faster, sometimes slower.
Q: Has the hate decreased since the switch?
Gleb Smolkin: Well, little by little. Maybe we’re less in the news, I don’t know. But it seems a bit less.
Q: It seems like you’re fueled by the hate. Do you handle it calmly?
Gleb Smolkin: I’m calm. It doesn’t bother me at all. Some things might be fair, some not so much.
Q: Do you read what people write about you?
Gleb Smolkin: Maybe we did four years ago, when it all started. But back then, we didn’t really understand how much of it there was. Only now, looking back, do you realize how much there was, how much negativity. And it seems like there was more bad than good in the media. We have our own path, we’re following it, and we wish all other athletes good luck.”
Related topics: Diana Davis Gleb Smolkin, Olympic Games
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