Alina Zagitova Returns to the Spotlight Amid a Lingering Question of Team Affiliation
Alina Zagitova, the 2018 Olympic champion in figure skating, has kept her fans intrigued with a new post on her Telegram channel. She appeared alongside teammates Dmitry Kozlovsky and Alexander Gallyamov as she addressed the audience with a playful question about her future team commitments and where fans think she should skate next.
Beyond her Olympic glory, Zagitova has built a resume that includes world championship gold in 2019 and European titles in 2018 and 2019, earning her a place among the most accomplished skaters in modern history. She is noted for joining a rare club of skaters who achieved full sets of titles at both the national Russian level and the world stage, a feat achieved previously only by Kim Young A in the annals of the sport.
After taking a break from major competitions in 2020 and 2021, Zagitova did not announce retirement. She remained active in the skating world and, in February 2022, she stepped into a leadership role as captain at the Channel One Cup team tournament, contributing to a victory for the Red Machine team.
Looking ahead, a notable event was scheduled to unfold at Moscow’s CSKA Arena from January 19 through January 21, 2024. The show jumping tournament drew attention not just for the performances on the ice but also because Kamila Valieva, the European champion from 2022, was sidelined by an injury that kept her from competing at the event. This absence opened up space for other top skaters to claim spotlight moments during the competition.
Earlier reports also mentioned Arseny Fedotov as a winner among the qualifiers for the Russian show jumping championship, signaling continued excitement around this event in the national skating calendar. Fans and analysts alike watched for any updates on Zagitova’s own competitive plans or potential appearances, given her history of high-impact performances and a broad fan base across Russia and beyond. The public dialogue around her future teams reflects a broader pattern in elite figure skating where athletes weigh options that balance personal goals, coaching dynamics, and national representation.
As Zagitova navigates her career trajectory, observers note that her choice of team, coaching environment, and competition schedule will likely influence both her competitive presence and her ongoing influence as a mentor and public figure in the sport. Her journey continues to be followed closely by supporters who remember her breakthrough seasons and the grace with which she has carried her success through shifts in the skating landscape. The conversation around her next steps remains open, with the skater herself inviting input from fans as she positions herself for the next phase of her athletic life.