OLYMPICS: Figure Skating-Crowd lift helps Israel's Seniuk qualify for free skate

MILAN – Contrary to warnings that representing Israel in the women’s singles could spark protests, 20-year-old Russian-born Mariia Seniuk delivered a strong short program at the Milano-Cortina Games, advancing to the free skate with the support of the crowd.

Seniuk, who was born in Moscow and began her career competing for Russia before representing Israel in 2019, told Reuters she had “received some notifications” and was prepared for mixed reactions.

“I’m skating for Israel, and some people may not support it, but I really enjoyed the atmosphere today… it’s very, very special… you can just feel it,” she said. “I felt the support… I’m very, very grateful to everyone, especially to the people holding the flag.”

A few Israeli flags, including a very large one, dotted the crowd at Milan’s Forum di Assago indoor arena, which usually hosts basketball games and major concerts.

Among the spectators was U.S. couple Phyllis and Steven Sheinman, who had traveled from Cortina to support American-born skeleton racer Jared Firestone, nicknamed the “Jewish Jet.” They and a small group of friends, including Firestone’s girlfriend, had previously been involved in a social media incident with a pro-Palestinian shop assistant in Cortina.

The Games organizers said they had taken measures to maintain “a neutral, respectful and welcoming environment” by removing a staff member who had addressed visitors with calls of “Free Palestine.”

“They removed the person and gave us a bodyguard. Everyone else was just so nice to us,” Phyllis Sheinman said.

Her sentiments were echoed by 22-year-old Mia Drazin, who carried a giant Israeli flag in the stands alongside her father and brother. Drazin, who moved to Israel from Canada during the Gaza war to work as a first medical responder, admitted she was initially concerned about walking into the arena with the flag.

“I was like, is someone going to beat me up? If people give me a bad look, I’m fine with that. Listen, I’m Israeli now, I’m tough,” she said. “But so far, four people have asked me to take a picture, which is amazing. I’ve been getting a lot of ‘Am Yisrael Chai,’ which means the people of Israel will live on. No bad looks—people have been really nice.”

-Reporting by Valentina Za and Rory Carroll; Editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters