Olympic champion Alina Zagitova is set to take on the role of general director at her figure skating school in Kazan, a move announced by the Ministry of Sports of Tatarstan. The statement from Vladimir Leonov affirmed that Zagitova will oversee the institution not as a coach but as a high-level administrator, similar to the leadership structure seen in hockey. In addition to guiding the project, she will help select coaches, supervise daily operations, monitor progress, and set strategic goals for the program.
Leonov added that Zagitova already leads a capable team of specialists and that the collaboration on the overall facility plan is well advanced. The two officials have remained in close contact, with recent conversations about the ongoing business processes supporting the school’s development. The arrangement emphasizes a hands-on approach to building a strong sporting environment, leveraging Zagitova’s experience and network in the sport.
The Kazan project, first brought to light through PSEF, has been a topic of excitement in skating circles. At the forum where Zagitova discussed the initiative with Leonov and the president of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov, gratitude was expressed for the continued backing from regional leadership. The collaboration signals a long-term commitment to nurturing talent and elevating the region’s presence in figure skating on the national and international stages.
Zagitova’s competitive resume remains among the most celebrated in recent memory. Beyond Olympic gold, she claimed the top spot at the 2019 World Championships and earned gold and silver medals across the 2018 and 2019 European championships. Her achievements place her in rare company in the history of Russian singles and world figure skating, a distinction shared with only a few other legends of the sport.
Despite stepping back from many competitions, Zagitova has not declared an outright retirement. She did miss the 2020 and 2021 seasons, yet she returned to the ice in a leadership role in a prominent team event in early 2022, serving as captain for a Channel One Cup that featured the strong Red Machine lineup and emerged victorious. The ongoing transition into an executive position reflects her broader influence within the sport and her continued desire to contribute to future generations of skaters.
A separate statement from Valieva’s former physician touched on the skater’s integrity amid doping allegations. The remarks offered a perspective on the broader discourse surrounding testing and fair play within elite skating, emphasizing the importance of due process and evidence in contemporary sporting controversies.