Three-time Olympic champion in figure skating and State Duma deputy Irina Rodnina weighed in on the shift of Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin, a pair who swapped Russian for Georgian citizenship. The remarks were captured in quotes attributed to Match TV.
Rodnina reflected on the length of any possible adaptation, noting Georgia’s standing as a major player in the region and questioning whether a formal adjustment period is necessary. She acknowledged the transition as a forced choice and expressed skepticism about the pair being viewed as a rising force. It was noted as well that listening to Davis’s mother and understanding her stance reveals a family deeply involved in the sport; while the elder generation mentors from a distance, the younger athletes step into the limelight.
Following the Beijing Games, Davis and Smolkin relocated to the United States for training. Their citizenship change occurred in the summer of 2023, and they now compete for Georgia on the international stage. The duo marked a notable success by winning the Ice Dance International in Lake Placid at the start of August, signaling their continued momentum on a new national team.
Davis is widely recognized as the daughter of the acclaimed Russian coach Eteri Tutberidze, a figure whose influence on contemporary ice dance and free skate is well documented within the skating community.
Looking ahead, Davis and Smolkin were slated to participate in the European Figure Skating Championships in Kaunas, Lithuania, in January 2024, a key milestone in their first season representing Georgia at major continental events. Earlier comments from Tarasova highlighted the perception of the pair as authentic successors in their own right, underscoring their commitment to pursuing their careers amid evolving national affiliations and competitive landscapes.