The Russian figure skater Elizaveta Tuktamysheva shared a candid moment on social media, posting a photograph in Instagram stories that captured her in a dress with a deep neckline and bare shoulders. The text around this image references comments about the broader online environment surrounding social platforms, noting that Meta, the company behind the platform, is portrayed by some as controversial and facing bans in Russia.
Tuktamysheva, a seasoned competitor with a storied history in the sport, has claimed multiple major titles and podium finishes throughout her career. She earned the world and European crowns in 2015, and she also earned a silver medal at the 2021 World Championships. In the 2022/23 season, she secured victories in two stages of the Russian Grand Prix and finished third in the tournament finals. Her achievements also include a bronze at the national championships, underscoring her continued presence at the highest levels of competition.
Despite a long and successful run, Tuktamysheva has not yet qualified for the Olympic Games. During the 2021/22 season, in the Russian Championship which served as the qualifying event for the 2022 Games, she initially placed seventh. Her position improved to sixth after the event when the championship winner Kamila Valieva was disqualified due to a positive doping test, reshaping the Olympic field and reminding audiences of the unpredictable nature of high-stakes competition.
Looking ahead to the new season, the skater is slated to perform at stages in Moscow from November 24 to 27 and in Krasnoyarsk from October 27 to 30 as part of the Russian Grand Prix circuit. These events are part of a busy calendar aimed at showcasing the depth of talent within the domestic skating ranks and providing opportunities for athletes to refine programs ahead of larger international assignments.
In August, at the age of 26, Tuktamysheva expressed an interest in exploring life beyond competition, stating her aspiration to work as a television presenter after concluding her sports career. The public statements reflect a common path for elite athletes who seek to leverage their visibility and experience in media-related roles, potentially bringing a unique insider perspective to broadcasts and discussions on skating.
Earlier in the year, a different segment of the national team, a Russian swimmer, also appeared in a swimsuit-related image that drew attention from fans and media alike. The juxtaposition of athletes from different disciplines highlighted the broader interest in performance sports and the ways athletes curate their public personas through social media.