Renowned Soviet-era figure skating coach Tatyana Tarasova extended well wishes for a swift recovery to Anna Shcherbakova following ankle surgery, as reported by Match TV. Tarasova conveyed that she hopes Shcherbakova will regain full health quickly and continue to pursue her skating career with strength. She added that while a full return to competition is anticipated, the big question remains whether Shcherbakova will resume performing at the same elite level in future events. [citation from Match TV]
Shcherbakova has not formally announced retirement from professional skating, though she did miss the competitions slated for the 2023/24 season. She disclosed that she began recovering from her injury toward the end of 2022 and subsequently performed in ice shows during the interim period. [citation from official skating federation records]
Shcherbakova earned the Olympic gold medal in ladies’ singles at the Beijing Games, finishing ahead of her fellow Russian rival Alexandra Trusova and the Japanese skater Kaori Sakamoto. This achievement solidified her status as a leading figure in the sport. [citation from Olympic archives]
In late February 2022, the International Olympic Committee issued guidance to international sports federations advising a cautious approach to athlete eligibility, recommending that domestically based and Belarusian athletes be discouraged from participating in certain competitions. The aim was to ensure a level playing field while prioritizing safety and fairness. [citation from IOC communiqués]
Earlier, Alina Zagitova made public remarks about appearing in a show associated with Eteri Tutberidze, highlighting ongoing interest in crossovers between competitive skating and performance exhibitions. [citation from event coverage]