Eteri Tutberidze stayed quiet for nearly five months as Russian figure skaters faced a suspension from international competition. In March, the ISU barred Russian athletes from the 2022 World Cup and extended the sanction indefinitely because of the events in Ukraine.
During this period, Tutberidze maintained a neutral stance and even spent extended time in the United States. Local reporter Dave Leese claimed that the mentor was seeking a chance to train in America and that his pupil Diana Davis might skate for the USA alongside her ice dance partner and life partner Gleb Smolkin.
Whether any concrete steps were taken or what the results might have been remains unclear. Two weeks after Leese’s provocative broadcast, Lisa Tutberidze denied the remarks, calling the reporter out on social media, and two weeks later she publicly condemned the exclusion of Russian skaters from competition. Tutberidze stated that she was upset about the future trajectory of world figure skating without Russian athletes.
“World Championships, Grand Prix placements, and ranking updates, among other things, are very frustrating. I understand much, yet I cannot accept keeping our athletes and young skaters away from international events. It may be easier to share medals and celebrate small wins, but the basics of fair play must matter”, she wrote. “I believe rankings should not be updated and titles should not be awarded while we’re absent. That is absurd. Sport unites competitors from all corners of the globe and crosses borders”, Tutberidze added.
She also discussed these concerns with Tatyana Tarasova on Channel One. The dialogue captured in a broadcast featured Tarasova and Tutberidze reflecting on the state of fairness and opportunity for young skaters amid a sweeping ban on Russian competitors. Tarasova challenged the idea that such exclusions could be justified, while Tutberidze emphasized the ongoing pursuit of fair play and the sentiment that athletes should not bear the burden of geopolitical tensions. The exchange highlighted a shared sense that sports life can feel fragile when bans prevail and that unity in competition should prevail.
However, the ISU provided no response to Tutberidze’s remarks. A TASS source noted that the federation did not plan to discuss freezing world rankings in relation to the Russian suspension. Tutberidze’s stance drew sharp reactions from the international skating community. Canadian Olympic champion and two-time world champion Megan Duhamel mocked the notion of a lack of fair play, recalling that Kamila Valieva faced doping accusations and that the Beijing 2022 team event did not yield a gold for the Russian team due to those concerns. Duhamel commented on social media, calling the statements ridiculous given past incidents where fairness had been implicated in judging and outcomes. [Attribution: The Canadian press coverage and statements compiled from Olympic reporting]
Ukrainian skater Ivan Shmuratko joined the conversation, arguing that sports do not erase human borders but life itself. He wrote that while living and finding happiness may be easier, fundamental life principles should not be ignored. He stressed that moments of victory do not define a person and that human loss goes beyond medals. His remarks underscored a belief that unity in the world goes beyond sport and that personal tragedy can redefine perspective. [Attribution: Social media post by Ivan Shmuratko]
Meanwhile, a sports gossip outlet noted surprise at Tutberidze’s delayed public stance, suggesting that he may have been pressured to speak. The commentary collected online questioned the timing and content of the remarks, hinting at a broader debate about transparency and accountability in a highly scrutinized coaching network. Online voices debated what vitamins or training aides might be involved, with some asking pointed questions about athlete support and safety in high-performance environments. [Attribution: FS Gossips coverage]
Support for Tutberidze’s position came from within Russia, including Tarasova, who labeled Canadian responses as misguided and defended the coach’s stance on fair play. The conversation extended to reactions from Sambo-70, with Renat Laishev praising the team’s achievements and suggesting that some critics might be driven by jealousy. The chorus of voices in support and critique illustrated the polarized nature of international sports politics and the intense scrutiny on coaches and athletes alike. [Attribution: Sport-related coverage from Russian outlets and Match TV quotes]
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