Marina Klimova, an accomplished figure skater, has found that watching her son, Anthony Ponomarenko, on the ice is more challenging than expected, despite her own high-profile career. Alongside her husband and skating partner, Sergei Ponomarenko, Klimova boasts an impressive collection of accolades, including three world championships and Olympic medals in every color won over three consecutive Winter Games. Yet, her nerves got the best of her during this year’s U.S. championships, leading her to faint while watching Anthony compete.
Anthony Ponomarenko is part of a formidable U.S. Figure Skating team geared up for the Milan Cortina Olympics. He shares the ice with Christina Carreira in ice dancing, representing a new generation of skaters whose parents were elite competitors in the former Soviet Union. This group includes notable athletes like Ilia Malinin, the two-time reigning world champion, and Andrew Torgashev, whose journey is marked by the tragic loss of his parents in a plane crash last year.
The Ponomarenko family’s journey is extraordinary; before relocating to California, Klimova and Ponomarenko won a bronze medal in Sarajevo in 1984, followed by silver in Calgary in 1988, and wrapped up their Olympic careers with a gold medal in 1992 in Albertville. Despite their success, they initially discouraged Anthony from pursuing figure skating, hoping he would explore other interests. However, it seems his early affinity for the sport could not be ignored.
Ilia Malinin’s family history in figure skating also plays a significant role in his own career. His parents, both former skaters from Uzbekistan, now coach him while he embarks on his Olympic debut. Malinin acknowledges the impact of his mother’s nervousness on his performance, opting for her absence during competitions to ease his own nerves.
Maxim Naumov carries the weight of a heartbreaking story as well; his parents, successful former pairs skaters, lost their lives in a tragic accident last year. His memories of their unwavering support serve as motivation as he competes.
Andrew Torgashev, whose parents were talented skaters but never reached the Olympics, has driven himself to fulfill their dreams while he competes at the highest level. “I always wanted to be the one from my family that went,” Torgashev explained, as he reflects on their sacrifices and aspirations.
As these young athletes prepare to make their mark at the Winter Games, their stories illustrate a profound connection to their legacies while also forging their unique paths in the world of figure skating. With the excitement of the upcoming Olympics, there is optimism and determination among this new generation of skaters.