Milan – In the midst of a unique Olympic environment, 18-year-old Adeliia Petrosian is poised to compete for gold, although few spectators have had the opportunity to witness her perform live due to the ongoing exclusion of Russian athletes from international sporting events stemming from the conflict with Ukraine. Petrosian secured her place as a neutral athlete at the Winter Olympics after participating in a qualifying event outside of Russia, marking only her second senior competition beyond her country.
As Petrosian prepares to skate to the music of Michael Jackson for her short program, uncertainty surrounds her current form and fitness, with only her controversial coach, Eteri Tutberidze, possessing insight into her condition. The competition she faces is formidable, including the U.S. trio known as the “Blade Angels”—Amber Glenn, Alysa Liu, and Isabeau Levito—as well as Japan’s talented skaters Kaori Sakamoto and Ami Nakai. Success in Milan could catapult Petrosian into the spotlight as Russia’s fourth consecutive Olympic champion.
Tutberidze, who has been a significant influence in women’s figure skating, previously coached Olympic gold medalists like Alina Zagitova and Anna Shcherbakova, who won gold in Beijing 2022. However, that competition was marred by a doping scandal involving another of Tutberidze’s students, Kamila Valieva, leading to scrutiny of the coach and changes in regulations such as raising the minimum age for senior-level competitors to 17. Petrosian is now among the oldest athletes trained by Tutberidze at a major competition.
Petrosian has showcased the ability to land quadruple jumps in Russian competitions, setting her apart from other competitors in Milan. The primary concern, however, is her physical readiness ahead of the event. A recent Russian documentary featuring Petrosian revealed that she struggled with proper technique and had dealt with injuries, prompting doubts about whether she would maintain her competitive edge.
Amidst these challenges, Russian athletes like Petr Gumennik are uplifting spirits with personal encouragement and support from fans. Skating in the men’s event, Gumennik described the overwhelming support he received, reflecting a sense of camaraderie and resilience amongst athletes despite the restrictions placed on them.
As Petrosian prepares to take the ice, the atmosphere in Milan is charged with anticipation, driven by the hope of overcoming adversity and delivering memorable performances on the global stage.