Olympic figure skating champion Alina Zagitova and two-time Olympic fencing medalist Sofia Velikaya are slated to participate in an exhibition fencing match as part of Moscow’s Sports Day festivities. The event will take place at Luzhniki Stadium on July 1, drawing fans from across the capital to witness a showcase that blends elite sport with enthusiastic community celebration. This gathering, organized by city sports authorities, underscores Moscow’s commitment to promoting athletic excellence while offering entertaining experiences for residents and visitors alike. [citation: Moscow Department of Sports]
Earlier editions of Moscow Sports Day included a boxing master class in June 2022, led by Zagitova and organized by the Moscow Department of Sports. On that occasion, the skater shared the stage with Oleg Saitov, a two-time Olympic champion in boxing, highlighting the city’s tradition of cross-sport demonstrations that connect top-tier athletes with the public. [citation: Moscow Department of Sports]
Zagitova rose to Olympic prominence at the PyeongChang Games in 2018, securing the gold medal in women’s singles. Beyond that historic victory, she earned silver in team events at those Games and accumulated a string of titles across the Russian, European, and world championships, along with a triumph at the Grand Prix Final. In December 2019, Zagitova announced a break from competition, stepping back from the sport for an extended period. The decision marked a pause in a career characterized by a rapid ascent and a series of record-setting performances. [citation: ISU archives]
Meanwhile, questions around athletes participating in international events have persisted in the broader figure skating community. Anna Khnychenkova, who formerly led the Athletes Commission of the Ukrainian Figure Skating Federation, urged Canadian ISU Athletes Commission chair Eric Radford to push for a ban on Russian athletes from competition until the resolution of ongoing military operations. The appeal reflects ongoing tensions and the ongoing debate over eligibility rules in international sport during geopolitical crises. [citation: ISU archives]