In a recent conversation on the YouTube channel Tinkov, the renowned Russian coach Eteri Tutberidze described herself in plain terms, saying she considers herself a person who prefers solitude over crowds.
“I feel I am naturally antisocial. I don’t enjoy being among people. I draw energy from quiet moments, and crowds exhaust me,” Tutberidze explained.
The discussion touched on a proposal she floated this summer about the scoring system. She argued that when Russian skaters are not present on the international stage, championships should not be held and ranking points should not be awarded, a stance that sparked broad public debate and strong opinions from fans and commentators alike.
Over the years Tutberidze has mentored a generation of skating champions and Olympic medalists, including Evgenia Medvedeva, Yulia Lipnitskaya, Alina Zagitova, Anna Shcherbakova, Elisabeth Tursynbayeva, and Alena Kostornaya. The group has produced European and world champions such as Sergey Voronov, Maurice Kvitelashvili, and Alexandra Trusova, among others, contributing to a legacy of high performance and technical innovation in the sport.
In 2020 the International Skating Union recognized Tutberidze as a top coach, highlighting her impact on the sport and her role in shaping successful programs and training methodologies.
Earlier reports noted a security incident at the Khrustalny skating rink, where Tutberidze’s training group prepares. An unidentified individual was linked to an attempt to damage the facility, underscoring the intense spotlight and high stakes surrounding elite coaching teams and their athletes.