In a candid interview with Championship, the renowned USSR figure skating coach Tatyana Tarasova reflected on the previous year as a signal of progress and potential for domestic skaters, noting steady improvement across the sport and confidence in the next generation. Her remarks underscored a broader trend: more athletes, more competition, and a growing belief that Russian skaters are increasingly ready to meet high international standards on the ice. This assessment comes as part of a larger conversation about national development in figure skating and the ways in which training programs, coaching expertise, and competitive opportunities are strengthening the discipline within Russia [Tarasova interview].
Tarasova pointed to 2023 as a landmark year for Russian figure skating, highlighting the depth and breadth of talent that enabled a high-caliber national championship and showcased skaters who could stand up to the world’s best. She specifically commended Dikiji for his ability to contend with top international competitors and praised Gumennik for performing at peak levels. The remarks extended to the female skaters and the pairs/doubles teams, which Tarasova described as among the strongest in the world, emphasizing how Mishina and Gallyamov delivered flawless performances in their free program during the Russian Championships and how the overall field demonstrated remarkable consistency and artistry across disciplines [Tarasova interview].
Looking back to early 2022, Tarasova’s observations intersect with wider events in international sport when the International Olympic Committee advised sports federations to limit participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes, leading the International Skating Union to suspend athletes from those nations from competitions. The immediate consequence was that the Beijing Winter Games in 2022 stood as the last major stage for many Russian competitors before the suspension took hold, a development that prompted ongoing discussion about eligibility, continuity, and pathway for reintegration into global events once the conditions allowed [Tarasova interview]. The discussion also touched on shifting strategies for athlete development, training environments, and international collaboration that could help Russian skaters maintain momentum during interruptions to global competition, while other notable figures like Alina Zagitova have commented on the evolving nature of sports terminology and impact in the context of these changes [Tarasova interview].