Tarasova on Russian Training, Rippon on International Return

A prominent figure skating coach from the former Soviet era, Tatyana Tarasova, has argued that Russian athletes should keep training within Russia to continue representing the country on the world stage. Her stance reflects a belief that domestic preparation is essential for national prestige in international competitions. On the other side of the debate, the American skater Adam Rippon offered the view that for Russian athletes to reclaim their standing internationally, they might need to pursue training outside their homeland. Tarasova responded by stressing that the focus should be on continuing to train in Russia rather than shifting the base of operations abroad. She dismissed calls for retreat as not worthy of serious consideration and questioned whether discussions about admission are even relevant to the sport. Tarasova stated that athletes should stay focused on their craft and competition rather than engaging in political debates about eligibility, a perspective she shared during an interview with Match TV.