Figure skater Volodin: “If there was a worthy partner in Russia, I would skate there. But I couldn’t miss this opportunity with Minerva.

Grand Prix Final winner Nikita Volodin told that the main reason for leaving for Germany was the presence of a promising partner there, and not the opportunity to participate in international tournaments .

Volodin and Khaze began teaming up in the summer of 2022. The skaters represent the German national team. Volodin’s last Russian partner was Victoria Vasilyeva.

— Was Minerva prejudiced about your Russian origin in the context of the political agenda?

“I never felt neglected by the Germans. The situation in the world did not affect the relationship.

— You and Minerva started skating together after the Russians were suspended from international tournaments. Did I understand correctly that the key factor for you was precisely the presence of a partner, and not the possibility of performing on the world stage?

– Yes definitely. If there was a worthy partner in Russia, I would skate there. But I couldn’t miss this opportunity with Minerva.

— Did the FFKKR let you leave without any problem?

“I have been released, according to the rules.” The federation knows me, I have shown good results. They treated my situation with understanding and knew that I had been skating without a partner for a long time. At the Figure Skating Academy, where I trained, everyone congratulates me on my victories and is happy for me,” Volodin told .