Tarasova weighs in on talk of free or preferential training at Zagitova’s Sports Express school
The renowned Honorary Coach of the USSR, Tatyana Tarasova, responded to remarks by Vladimir Leonov, the Minister of Sports of the Republic of Tatarstan, who suggested that talented skaters might train at Alina Zagitova’s school, Sports Express, with free access or under favorable conditions.
Tarasova did not dismiss the possibility. She noted that such a system could be a strong incentive for rising stars, especially as the school prepares to open. Her comment reflected cautious optimism and a belief that the right training environment matters. She added that the conditions already look promising and that the full impact would become clearer once operations begin and athletes start training at the facility.
Alina Zagitova’s competitive record stands as a benchmark in the sport. The skater has earned gold at the Olympic Games, gold at the 2019 World Championships, and gold and silver medals at the 2018 and 2019 European Championships. Her achievements place her among the most accomplished figures in the history of Russian women’s single skating; indeed, she is the second skater after Kim Young Ah to have secured championships at both the national and world levels in the discipline.
As for Zagitova, the athlete did not participate in events during the 2020 and 2021 seasons but has not announced retirement. In February 2022, she served as captain for a Channel One Cup team competition, an event won by the returning squad known as the Red Machine, underscoring her continuing role in the sport beyond traditional competitive seasons.
Earlier reports had described Zagitova as pursuing a new professional path with fewer limitations for women pursuing excellence in figure skating, a shift that appears to align with the broader evolution of the sport as athletes transition between competition and coaching, show skating, and education. Corporate and regional programs like Sports Express are often part of this evolution, offering structured opportunities that blend elite training with accessible paths for emerging talents. The discussion around free or preferential training highlights the ongoing balance between resource allocation, national sport strategy, and the international demand for top-tier coaching and facilities. Attribution: official competition records and public statements from federation representatives.