Celebrity coach Barbara Fusar-Poli, a medalist from the 2002 Olympic Games, has voiced a controversial view about the future of Dario Chirizano. According to statements attributed to her, she suggested that Russia should consider replacing Chirizano and allow him to compete for Italy instead. The remarks were reported by Sport Express, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding national allegiances, eligibility, and the complex politics that can surround international skating partnerships.
Fusar-Poli argues that the situation is difficult for all parties involved. She notes that Dario Chirizano has not competed in international events for nearly two years, a long absence in a sport where continuity can significantly impact performance and development. In her view, two years away from high-level competition, given Chirizano’s age, might be a critical period that could influence his prospects on the world stage. She also acknowledges the broader context, including Russia’s military conflict and the resulting pressures on national sports organizations. Nevertheless, she emphasizes that Chirizano has shown a desire to represent Italy rather than Russia, and she hopes national federations will understand and respect this preference. Her comment, she says, stems from concerns about fair play and the practical realities of competing at the international level after a prolonged absence.
Historically, Chirizano has traced a path that included a dance partnership with Irina Khavronina representing Russia. At the end of 2022, that pairing ended, and in early May 2022 it became public knowledge that Chirizano began a new duet with Denisa Tsimlova from the Czech Republic. The couple subsequently relocated to Montreal and began training under coach Roman Agenauer. Those developments have fed into a broader narrative about athletes seeking new affiliations in response to shifting national teams and eligibility rules, with Chirizano now pursuing the possibility of competing for Italy rather than continuing with Russia.
The landscape for Russian skaters after the 2022 Olympic Games has been shaped by sanctions that limit participation in certain international events. These penalties have created barriers for athletes who might otherwise seek to compete on the world stage under the Russian flag, prompting some athletes to explore changes in coaching, partnerships, or national representation. In this environment, the discussions around Chirizano’s future are part of a wider debate about eligibility, nationality, and the rules that govern international competition in figure skating.
From a broader perspective, the tensions between national teams, personal ambitions, and the timing of competition have long influenced how skaters navigate their careers. Supporters of Chirizano may argue that a change in national representation could offer a clearer path to international competition and the opportunity to partner with a country that is more aligned with the skater’s current training and international prospects. Critics, however, worry about the implications for team dynamics, the integrity of national programs, and the potential for athletes to switch allegiances for strategic advantage. The situation underscores how political events and sports governance intersect in the world of figure skating, where performance, federation rules, and personal choices converge at high speed on the ice.
Ultimately, the discussion surrounding Chirizano’s future reflects a larger question about how federations should balance fairness, athlete autonomy, and competitive viability in a period of geopolitical tension. The stance attributed to Fusar-Poli—advocating for a possible shift in national representation—highlights competing priorities: the desire to sustain strong national teams, the need to recognize an athlete’s personal goals, and the practical realities of competing after a lengthy absence from international events. In the end, national federations must weigh these factors while ensuring that decisions align with established rules and the long-term health of the sport. The ongoing dialogue serves as a reminder that figure skating, like many Olympic disciplines, is shaped as much by policy and diplomacy as by on-ice performance. (Source: Sport Express)”