Elena Kostyleva, a 12-year-old figure skater, joined the academy led by Evgeni Plushenko, the two-time Olympic champion. This move was reported by RIA News.
On Thursday, March 14, Kostyleva began her first training session with Plushenko’s team. Previously, she trained under Igor Lyutikov at the Legend school.
During this season, Kostyleva earned a bronze medal at the Russian vaulting championships. Margarita Bazylyuk, a protégé of Eteri Tutberidze, won the gold, while 16-year-old Adelia Petrosyan took silver.
While competing in the team event, Kostyleva sustained an elbow injury. Medical staff recommended a temporary freeze, yet she continued her performance after a fall on a triple Lutz, showcasing resilience under pressure.
The International Skating Union (ISU) imposed suspensions on Russian and Belarusian athletes from international events in spring 2022. In the 2023/24 season, focus shifted to domestic competitions, including stages of the Russian Grand Prix and the national championship. Although the possibility of reinstating Russian athletes was discussed at an ITU meeting in October, it did not advance to the agenda.
Earlier reports noted that figure skater Shcherbakova was set to undergo surgery, signaling ongoing discussions about changes in the sport among top skaters and national programs.