Tarasova told Canadian reporter Beverly Smith that Russian skaters would not stay away for long, signaling a stronger return within a year.
Honored coach of the USSR in figure skating Tatyana Tarasova responded to Smith, who welcomed the absence of Russians at the 2022 Worlds, as reported by Sport-Express.
“I want to upset Beverly — Russia won’t be absent for a year,” Tarasova stated. She pledged that Russian skaters would reenter the international arena with renewed vigor.
Smith had previously viewed the absence of Russian participants at the World Cup in a positive light. She noted that in women’s singles, no skater landed a triple axel, yet she did not see this as a major obstacle. “What a normal tournament compared to the Olympic drama. Let’s take a deep breath: there are no Russian athletes or judges,” the journalist commented.
On a date in early March, the International Skating Union banned Russians from competing in events it sanctions, following recommendations from the International Olympic Committee. As a result, Russian athletes were barred from participating in the World Cup.