When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in Ukraine in February 2022, the everyday lives of Russians all over the world were affected.
"Back then I completely hid my origins. If someone asked where my name came from, I would say Denmark. You didn't know what kind of comments you would get about it," says Nikolaj Majorov.
Didn't dare to speak Russian
"Back then you didn't dare speak Russian on the train," says girlfriend and ice dancing partner Milla Ruud Reitan.
The figure skating family Majorov moved to Sweden from Russia in the 1990s and lived in Luleå for almost three decades. For a few years now, Östergötland has been their base. Father Alexander is head coach at the Norrköping Figure Skating Club and mother Irina is a dance teacher, choreographer and director for the club.
"We do not stand for any type of war. There is no support in any way just because you are Russian," says Nikolaj Majorov.
We have relatives in Ukraine too, on my grandmother's side who are still alive, but there is no communication with them. My grandmother doesn't get a hold of them that easily.
Over time, the outside world's view of Russians living in other countries has changed.
Now I would say it's much easier. People have an understanding. Just because you have some kind of blood from there doesn't mean I actually support the war or have a political opinion in general, but in the beginning it was hard, says Majorov.
The International Skating Union (ISU) opened the door in December 2024 to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete again under a neutral flag, which is a requirement of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Russians at the Olympics
When the ice dance pair Majorov/Ruud Reitan qualified for the Olympics in Beijing in September, Russians Adeliya Petrosjan and Pjotr Gumennik won the women's and men's singles categories, respectively. Belarusian Viktorija Safonova also won an Olympic quota place.
They did their thing and then they went home. Whether you like it or not... it's still nothing we can influence. It's the top management that decides, it's the IOC and it's the ISU, says Nikolaj Majorov.
It is unclear whether Majorov and Ruud Reitan will be able to use their ticket to the Olympics in Milan in February. The Norwegian is still waiting for word on whether she will be granted Swedish citizenship, a prerequisite for competing in the Olympics for Sweden.
Facts: Nikolaj Majorov
Born August 18, 2000 in Luleå.
Lives: Norrköping.
Background: Was Sweden's top male figure skater for several years and participated in the 2022 Olympics, but he was forced to switch to ice dancing in 2023 due to back problems. His older brother Alexander Majorov, 34, has also competed in the Olympics (2014).
Current: Together with girlfriend Milla Ruud Reitan, they have secured an Olympic quota place in ice dancing, but the Norwegian must become a Swedish citizen before the Swedish Olympic Committee can select the couple.
