Kamila Valieva, the Olympic champion in figure skating, appeared in a show in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, performing with the music off. According to journalist Konstantin Lesik, the telegraph channel covering the event reported that the music was turned off during the performance, creating an unusual moment on stage.
Observers noted a remarkable display from Valieva as she continued to glide and execute precise movements in the absence of soundtrack accompaniment. The scene prompted astonished reactions from the audience, who applauded each of her steps even without the customary musical cues. A witness described the moment as unlike anything seen before, likening it to watching a skilled rider navigate a horse through a moment of challenge without the usual tempo guiding the ride.
Valieva performed the Olympic short program titled “In Memoriam” as part of the show program in Mongolia, symbolizing a blend of athletic precision and artistic interpretation within the unaccompanied performance format.
Over the dates of May 6 and 7, a slate of Russian figure skating stars presented a show program for spectators in Ulan Bator. The event also included master classes designed for local young athletes, aiming to share technique, artistry, and competitive experience with the next generation. Among the participants were notable skaters such as Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Adelia Petrosyan, Sofia Akatieva, Evgeny Semenenko, Dmitry Aliev, Mark Kondratyuk, Pyotr Gumennik, Arseniy Fedotov, Anastasia Mishina, Alexander Gallyamov, Evgenia Tarasova, Vladimir Morozov, Alexandra Boykova, Dmitry Mongolia Kozlitovsky, and Nikita Katsalapov, all contributing to a multi-faceted program that combined performance with education.
During this tour, Valieva herself shared aspirations beyond competitive sport, hinting at possible exploration of acting after completing her skating career. The sentiment mirrors a broader trend among elite athletes who diversify their professional paths, leveraging performance, media exposure, and personal brand development to broaden opportunities beyond the rink. This perspective underscores Valieva’s interest in expanding her repertoire while maintaining her high-level commitment to the sport that brought her international acclaim.
Industry observers emphasize that performances like these in Mongolia serve dual purposes: entertaining audiences and elevating the profile of the sport in regions where figure skating is cherished but still developing its training infrastructure. The interactions between world-class skaters and young Mongolian athletes foster mentorship, practical technique sharing, and inspiration, potentially influencing local training culture for years to come. Meanwhile, the narrative surrounding Valieva in this context reflects the ongoing balance between athletic achievement, artistic expression, and personal career evolution that many top skaters navigate as their careers mature.