25-year-old Russian figure skater Alexander Samarin announced his retirement from his professional career. His words are quoted RIA News.
“Why the fuss? This means the end of your career. Yes, the situation was not very bright, but I am happy that I managed to be among the strongest,” said Samarin.
On February 17, Samarin performed a free program at the All-Russian Winter Spartakiad in Magnitogorsk.
Samarin is a silver medalist at the 2019 European Championships, Russian champion in 2017 and 2018, a two-time bronze medalist at the Russian Championships in 2019 and 2023, and a bronze medalist at the 2019 World Team Championships. At the last Russian championship, the skater took 15th place. Samarin won silver at the Russian Grand Prix in Krasnoyarsk and bronze in Samara in the 2023/24 season.
In March 2022, the International Skating Union (ISU) suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from competitions. In the last two seasons they focused on local competitions (Russian Grand Prix stages and the national championship).
Previously figure skater reported Due to lack of motivation in tournaments in Russia.