Choreographer and ice show director Ilya Averbukh spoke with Match TV in an interview, expressing that he has no plans to base a production on the television series The Boy’s Word. He framed the idea as an isolated trend rather than a lasting storyline for the ice. In his view, it will pass, much like many stories that briefly capture public attention before fading from the arena stage and screen alike. He recalled how a film titled Father once captured imaginations, and how the television series Brigade also enjoyed a surge of popularity in its time, suggesting that the lifecycles of popular IP often follow a similar arc on screen and in public interest.
He elaborated that the issue in question seems to be fading in relevance. Averbukh suggested that it does not translate well to the ice, and proposed a different approach: placing the characters from the successful film Ice on skates. In his assessment, using those familiar faces would be clearer and lighter for audiences, providing a more natural fit on ice and a more accessible way to connect with viewers who recognize the movie from which those heroes originate. Source: Match TV
In late February 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued guidance to international sports federations, recommending that athletes from Russia and Belarus be excluded from participation in ongoing competitions. This move reflected broader concerns about competitive fairness and geopolitical tensions affecting global sports. Source: IOC communications
On March 1, 2022, the International Skating Union (ISU) announced that figure skaters from Russia and Belarus would be suspended from competitions. The suspension was later extended in June 2023, reinforcing the organization’s stance during a period of heightened political sensitivity around international sport. Source: ISU announcements
Then, on December 8, the IOC announced a path that would permit athletes from Russia to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games under neutral status, signaling a nuanced approach to participation that separates athletic competition from national representation while still allowing competition under a neutral banner. Source: IOC briefings
There was also commentary from Tatyana Tarasova noting the sense of pride she felt when Roman Kostomarov first returned to the ice wearing a prosthesis, a moment perceived as a powerful testament to resilience and perseverance within the sport. Source: Tarasova remarks