A senior figure in the world of figure skating, Tatyana Tarasova, who has long been recognized for her achievements within the Soviet and post-Soviet coaching landscape, commented on the recent decision by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to revoke a state scholarship awarded to Viktor Petrenko, the 1992 Olympic champion. Petrenko had taken part in a skating show organized by Tatyana Navka, a detail that intersected with a broader discussion about funding and recognition for past champions. Following Zelensky’s move, the National Olympic Committee of Ukraine issued a formal condemnation of the skater, amplifying the controversy surrounding state support for athletes who have achieved at the highest levels of competition.
Tarasova did not mince words when expressing her view to RBC, describing Zelensky as lacking respect for champions and questioning the logic behind depriving a figure who has proved his prowess and dedication of financial support that is traditionally afforded to elite athletes. The assertion that Petrenko will not be barred from participating in public skating appearances is noted, but Tarasova’s critique hinges on the principle that support for athletes should reflect their contributions to sport, regardless of an athlete’s current role or visibility. Her remarks underscore a belief that a figure who has earned standing in the Olympic arena and in national sports history deserves continued recognition, rather than a move that could be interpreted as punitive or dismissive of past achievements. The exchange, as reported by RBC, frames the issue as a clash between political decision-making and the long-standing norms of how champions are honored and rewarded for their legacy in sport.
In related developments, the Ukrainian Figure Skating Federation acknowledged further changes involving Viktor Petrenko’s status within the organization. He was removed from membership in the federation, and his role as federation vice president was affected by these organizational shifts. These procedural developments have added another layer to the evolving narrative about national support for athletes who have left peak competition and transitioned into other roles within the sport, and how their affiliations with national bodies are managed during periods of reform and recalibration within national sports governance.
On the international stage, the governing bodies of figure skating have been taking steps to address the participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in global competition. The International Skating Union announced a suspension of athletes from these nations, a decision carried out with the IOC’s guidance and recommendations and ratified during the ISU congress held in the early part of the year. While the move has drawn international coverage and debate, its precise implications remain subject to ongoing interpretation and policy development, with some observers noting that the measures taken illuminate broader tensions in international sports governance and the balancing of competitive fairness, geopolitical considerations, and the rights of athletes with competing loyalties and national affiliations.
Earlier reports indicated that Margarita Drobyazko, a figure skater born in Russia, has expressed interest in actions related to her Lithuanian citizenship in relation to her performances tied to Navka’s show. This development, viewed in the broader context of citizenship, eligibility, and national representation in sport, continues to fuel discussions about the ways in which athletes navigate identity, allegiance, and opportunity within a landscape shaped by global competition and national pride.