Anna Shcherbakova, the Olympic figure skating champion, faced a tough question when asked on social media about a possible return to competition as an athlete, during a conversation with former Chinese skater Chen Lu.
“I’m not sure yet. That’s the hardest question for me. These days I’m juggling many things: I perform in ice shows, I’ve spent time in China, and I have a full schedule of appearances. It’s challenging to balance everything, and I don’t have a firm yes or no yet. I’m still figuring out what comes next in skating. I love training, but the future remains uncertain,” Shcherbakova shared.
According to RIA Novosti, she took a short training break at the end of June for medical reasons. On July 11, Sport24 reported that she had contracted mononucleosis, a condition that can require extended rest and careful management before resuming intense athletic activity.
Shcherbakova hasn’t declared retirement from professional skating, but she did skip last season’s events. Earlier in 2022, she indicated she was recovering from an injury while also performing in ice shows, maintaining a balance between recovery and performance across the skating calendar.
There has been notable commentary about the attitudes of elite skaters toward competition in different regions, with discussions surrounding how skaters from Russia and China approach training and performance on the international stage.