Eteri Tutberidze, the most successful trainer in world figure skating of the last decade, has always been known in the press and social networks for his silence.
However, in the past two weeks, the famous mentor has made three loud statements at once.
1) spoke harshly against American journalist Dave Leese (“you’re such a shitty person”); 2) Russian media (“toilet reading”); 3) The International Skating Union (ISU), which, according to Tutberidze, should not update the ratings of skaters and organize competitions for titles until Russian athletes return to tournaments.
The first two statements were far behind the news to which they were devoted.
Thus, domestic figure skaters were suspended on March 1, and Tutberidze spoke only on August 1. Information that Dave Liz was allegedly trying to relocate to the United States began to be denied just two weeks after the coach was released.
Then it was the turn of the Russian media. The mentor has so far only mentioned Match TV and Sports.ru. Most likely, his dissatisfaction was caused by the news that he had recently flown to the United States for the third time.
Match TV reported this on August 3.
“At the beginning of the week, the specialist Khrustalny was not on the skating rink,” a source told the publication.
On the 4th, Tutberidze posted on social networks a video showing how he trains with his skaters on the rink.
At the same time, he published a paper in which he drew analogies with feces, as in the case of Dave Leese.
“Match TV” and “Sport Sru” have long earned the title of toilet dough. Reading some titles already improves peristalsis. #continue #dobrovmass,” Tutberidze wrote.
What brings the usually silent coach to such frequent and harsh statements? There are at least three serious problems that can anger the “snow queen”.
1. Accusations that he will leave Russia and go to the USA
Tutberidze took a vacation in America for a month and a half (the skaters began to train without him in Novogorsk), and then went there two more times in a short period of about a week, according to Match TV – and already in the middle of summer preparation of the athletes for the new season.
All this is due to the fact that the American journalist Dave Liz, his mentor remains a coach in the United States, and his daughter Diane Davis is in the national team of this country (the Russians are indefinitely suspended from international tournaments).
2. Alleged doping on Valieva
Tutberidze’s reputation in the Olympic year was severely affected by the doping case of Valieva, for example, in which the banned trimetazed was found. And this situation continues to put pressure on the coach.
The investigation is still unfinished – even six months after the situation was publicized – and for many, it was not 16-year-old Valieva that was really to blame, but rather her coach, who was responsible for all aspects of the young athlete’s training.
“I can’t imagine how difficult this was for Camila and I’m angry that the adults around her couldn’t make a better decision,” US Olympic champion Tara Lipinski said live after Valieva’s free skating at the 2022 Olympics. she failed and finished fourth. “Camila is just a teenager and it’s all unfair to her… I blame the adults around her.”
The situation with doping is still remembered. When Tutberidze published an article accusing the ISU of the lack of “fair play” (fair play), Canadian Olympic champion Megan Duhamel immediately replied to her on social networks: “In the presence of Eteri, the prizes were not awarded because the Olympic Games did not observe fair play. That’s why their expressions are ridiculous.”
Duhamel recalled that since Valiev is suspected of doping, the Russian team has yet to take the gold medal as they won the Beijing 2022 team tournament.
This scandal can cast doubt on the medals of not only Camila, but all the other outstanding students of the outstanding coach.
After the doping case, Tutberidze seemed to have lost his former grand coach status in the eyes of the world public, and Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), openly accused him of mistreating students.
As an example, the official cited Tutberidze’s communication with the same Valieva.
“So why did you drop everything? Explain well. Valieva’s coach said after a bad skating in a free program at the Olympics (against the backdrop of doping accusations).
Bach also recalled Trusova’s tantrum after she won the silver medal, shouting that she hated figure skating and would never return to the ice. The IOC president also hinted that the coach himself could give drugs to his students.
“The role of companions can be different: they can both help and assist, or perhaps force athletes to take doping. I hope athletes talk openly about this.
I saw how Valieva was greeted by the closest people with a cold. I got goosebumps. Instead of encouraging him, trying to help him, there was a cold atmosphere around him.
When I read Trusova’s comments, I thought my impression yesterday was not so wrong. “I am not sure that Camila’s inner circle is reliable in connection with what has happened in the past and what concerns the future,” he said.
3. Uncertainty about the future of Russian figure skating
In social networks, Tutberidze described his faith as “coaching for life” (which can be translated as “coach is for life”). But now it is not clear when this life will return to Russia.
Our skaters are suspended from international tournaments; The ISU has deprived the Russian team of almost all quotas for the World Championships (most likely, athletes will not be allowed anyway), and preparing athletes for participation in the Cup of Russia is not at Tutberidze’s level for a long time.
The worst thing about this situation is that it is completely uncertain when it will end. And how long can you motivate yourself to do tough, health-killing work in the highest-achieving sport?
Therefore, his mentor urged the ISU not to award medals and update the ratings without the Russians.
However, he received a harsh response.
“When the ISU accepted these offers, it was surprised. They’re unlikely to find support,” a source from the International Skating Union told Match TV.
“It seems to be an explanation for domestic use in Russia, but such provocations are not perceived here in any way, and no one pays attention to them.”
It seems that the ISU closed the door on Tutberidze and emphasized that his opinion means nothing to them anymore. But not so long ago, he became the coach of the year, according to the organization.
Tutberidze is a vulnerable person
Viktor Adoniev, a former student of Tutberidze, who works as a coach in his group He told socialbites.caThe mentor behind the iron lady mask hides a very vulnerable nature:
“I am a very impressive person like Eteri Georgievna. He reads every comment, I’m sure, and he worries about everything.
It is also known that Tutberidze called some journalists and complained about the materials.