In a recent interview on the YouTube channel Comment Show, famed Russian figure skating coach Eteri Tutberidze discussed her early interactions with Evgenia Medvedeva prior to the 2018 Olympic Games. The conversation sheds light on the dynamics within the coaching team and the atmosphere surrounding one of ice skating’s most publicized rivalries.
The discussion traces a training period in Japan where Medvedeva formed a friendship with Katarina Bobrova. According to Tutberidze, this bond appeared to influence Medvedeva in unexpected ways, as if a subtle shift in attitude had begun to take place. Tutberidze recalled noticing changes in how Medvedeva responded during sessions and raised concerns about how such dynamics might affect the team’s balance. To manage the situation, she requested that the federation arrange accommodations for the group during the Olympics, including a three‑room apartment in the Olympic village. When the team moved in, Medvedeva approached Tutberidze and expressed that she could not live with the group, highlighting the emotional complexity sometimes involved in elite competitive environments.
At the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Games, Medvedeva delivered a standout performance, earning silver in both the individual women’s event and the team competition. The gold in women’s singles went to her Russian teammate Alina Zagitova, who finished narrowly ahead of Medvedeva. Following the Games, Medvedeva initially transitioned to the coaching of Canadian specialist Brian Orser, but two years later she returned to Tutberidze’s Khrustalny team, signaling the enduring ties and evolving coaching relationships that characterize top‑tier skating careers.
Beyond the Olympic podium, Medvedeva accumulated World and European Championship gold medals, marking a period of sustained international success. Her competitive career wound down in December 2019, and she announced retirement in April 2023. Even as she stepped back from competition, Medvedeva continued to explore performance avenues, participating in the Ice Age show and launching a personal project on her YouTube channel titled No Comments, where she shares perspectives on figure skating, training, and life after elite competition.
In addition to the public focus on Medvedeva, Tutberidze has previously described intense training experiences endured by other skaters. For instance, she has spoken about the demanding preparation that Alina Zagitova underwent for the 2018 Olympics, including the grueling conditions that accompanied peak performance for high‑level athletes. The broader context of these remarks underscores the extraordinary commitment and resilience required to compete at the highest level of figure skating on the world stage.
Overall, the period surrounding the 2018 Olympics illustrates how personal dynamics, coaching decisions, and athletic ambition intertwine in ways that impact both individual athletes and entire skating programs. The ongoing careers of Medvedeva, Zagitova, and Tutberidze continue to influence the sport, shaping conversations about training methods, performance pressures, and the evolving pathways for elite skaters who aim to compete at the pinnacle of international competition. Attribution: Interview content and commentary originate from the Comment Show YouTube channel, with insights attributed to Eteri Tutberidze and the noted skaters involved. Further reflections are drawn from public discussions of their Olympic journeys and subsequent athletic activities.