Elena Chaikovskaya, the head coach of the Russian national figure skating team, urged people to refrain from scolding Irina Rodnina after Rodnina criticized the Russian Grand Prix. Her comments were cited by Match TV as the source of the remark.
Chaikovskaya emphasized that Rodnina remains a formidable athlete who contributed greatly to the sport, yet she acknowledged that Rodnina has not pursued a coaching career in figure skating. This, Chaikovskaya noted, has left Rodnina with personal disappointment, and the intense statements attributed to her should be viewed in that context rather than as a dismissal of her achievements.
Earlier, Rodnina had expressed concern about the level of interest in the Russian Figure Skating Grand Prix, describing the tournament as lacking competitive depth and referring to it as a “housing office championship.” Her remarks sparked debate about the perceived quality and prestige of the domestic circuit.
The forthcoming stage of the Russian Grand Prix is scheduled to be held in Samara from November 18 to 19, continuing the national series that gathers skaters from across the country to compete for ranking points and national titles.
In February 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued guidance to international sports federations about participation rules, advising that domestic and Belarusian athletes should be restricted from many competitions. As a consequence, the International Skating Union suspended Russian and Belarusian athletes from international events. During the 2022/23 season, the focus shifted to domestic competitions, including the Russian Grand Prix stages and the national championships, to ensure continued participation amid the wider sanctions and travel limitations.
Earlier statements attributed to Bestemyanova included a public response to Rodnina’s comments about the Grand Prix, underscoring the tension between veteran voices and the evolving landscape of Russian figure skating competitions. The discourse highlighted concerns about how domestic events are perceived and how athletes and coaches frame the goals and level of competition within the sport.