Recent comments from a legendary Soviet coach frame the International Skating Union’s (ISU) disclosure of the 2024 European Championships, set to take place in Kaunas, as a sign of disrespect toward Russian athletes. The coach’s concerns were shared with RIA News, highlighting frustration over how the event details were presented to the public.
The ISU announcement did not feature a photo of Anastasia Gubanova, a Togliatti native who currently leads in ladies’ singles and represents Georgia internationally. In the eyes of many Russian fans and observers, that omission felt pointed, especially given Gubanova’s status as the reigning European champion from the prior season.
According to the coach, the exclusion could be interpreted as a snub aimed at Russian athletes, and he voiced the sentiment that the ISU’s choice was improper and unfair. The coach insisted that the organization had no right to omit recognition of a top Russian competitor in the context of a European championship. The remarks came amid broader scrutiny of how athletes from Russia are portrayed in European contexts (RIA News).
In rapid sequence, the ISU used its social media channel to publish photographs highlighting current champions across disciplines. The audience, however, noted that for women’s singles, the image did not initially show Gubanova. Instead, a Belgian skater, Luna Hendricks, appeared in the post. The ISU later addressed the issue by restoring Gubanova’s image in the sequence, prompting discussions about representation and accuracy in broadcasts and announcements that reach a wide, international audience (Instagram post, ISU communications).
EURO 2024 is scheduled to be hosted in Kaunas from January 10 to January 14. The event, which brings together skaters from across Europe, has drawn attention not only for the competition itself but for the narratives that accompany it, including how athletes from different nations are highlighted in official materials (Event schedule and ISU press materials).
Looking back to late February 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) advised international sports bodies to limit participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus in competitive events. This recommendation reflected a broader move within international sport to respond to geopolitical developments and sanctions that affected eligibility and participation. In alignment with those measures, the ISU placed suspensions on skaters from both countries, temporarily restricting their competition opportunities. The Beijing Olympic Games in February 2022 marked one of the most prominent arenas where these restrictions were observed, serving as a milestone in how Russian athletes were integrated into global championships during that period (IOC guidance and ISU actions).
Earlier in the history of Russian figure skating, several figures who achieved prominence included a diverse group of athletes who contributed to the sport’s development and visibility on the European stage. The landscape of European skating has long involved a varied mix of athletes from multiple nations, with coaches, federations, and fans closely following how each season unfolds in major championships and the media that surround them. The ongoing dialogue around eligibility, representation, and achievement continues to shape public perception as well as the narrative around who is highlighted at signposting moments in major events (historical context and federation communications).