Nikita Katsalapov, the world and European ice dancing champion, spoke about what needs to unfold for him and his partner Victoria Sinitsina to make their comeback on the ice. His thoughts were shared through RIA Novosti.
He described the question as intriguing and somewhat philosophical, noting that there is no definitive answer at the moment. He suggested that any return would have to feel rewarding and perhaps even uplifting for the whole team, rather than merely satisfying personal ambitions.
Katsalapov addressed the heavy responsibility tied to Olympic medals. He admitted that the situation weighs heavily and voiced a desire for a fair resolution as soon as possible, hoping that the entire team would receive the medals they feel are deserved.
At the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, the Russian team earned gold in the team event. The group consisted of Kamila Valieva, Kamal Kondratyuk, Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Gallyamov, and the pair Victoria Sinitsina with Nikita Katsalapov. The United States team finished in second place, with Japan in third.
The awarding of medals to the winners and runners-up in the team competition was postponed while the doping case involving Kamila Valieva was resolved. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has been anticipated to issue a ruling, influencing the timing of medal ceremonies and recognition.
Earlier, Rodnina commented on what steps could be taken to advance figure skating in Russia, highlighting the broader context in which athletes train, compete, and strive for excellence on the world stage.