The conversation around Valery Angelopol has drawn attention from prominent figures in Russian figure skating, including the honored coach of the USSR, Tatyana Tarasova. Tarasova weighed in on whether Angelopol could be allowed back on the ice, emphasizing a straightforward stance about participation in the sport. She pointed out that there should be no prohibition on a skater visiting the rink, provided the appropriate arrangements are made. Angelopol would still need to handle financial obligations and follow the practical steps required to resume skating, Tarasova suggested. While she did not say a coach would eagerly accept him back into their group, she acknowledged that someone might be willing to work with him if the conditions were right. The sentiment reflects a broader debate about eligibility, accountability, and the pathways for athletes seeking a comeback in a highly regulated sport.
News coverage from RIA Novosti highlighted a key policy affecting Angelopol: coaches are officially prohibited from accepting the skater into their training groups or offering professional support. This restriction forms part of the administrative framework governing athletes who have experienced disruption in their partnerships or training arrangements. The rule underscores the caution exercised by coaching networks when selecting partners, ensuring that all parties adhere to clear guidelines before re-engaging in high-level practice. This context helps explain why Angelopol faces a difficult road back to group training, despite a possible openness from some in the sport to reconsider past decisions. — Source: RIA Novosti
The background to Angelopol’s current status includes a significant development from August 2023, when the Russian Figure Skating Federation dissolved the duo formed by Valery Angelopol and Vasilisa Koganovskaya by mutual consent. The federation’s decision came after a sequence of events in which Koganovskaya later claimed that her partner had put forth an ultimatum regarding the continuation of their collaboration. She stated that Angelopol demanded full financial support from her, a placement of terms that complicated the pairing’s stability. This episode illustrates how athlete partnerships can be shaped by internal negotiations and the expectations that accompany public competition at the highest level. The dissolution was a turning point that affected both skaters and the broader federation’s approach to team formations in the season ahead. — Source: RIA Novosti
Within the same year, these are the competitors who claimed top honors in the 2023 Russian Grand Prix and the Junior Grand Prix, underscoring the high level of achievement in the domestic circuit. The narrative around Angelopol is interwoven with the fortunes of his peers, reflecting the competitive environment that defines Russian figure skating today. In this evolving landscape, voices from different corners of the sport have weighed in, including veteran athletes who have observed the dynamics of on-ice partnerships over the years. The conversation about Angelopol’s prospects has echoed through skating circles, highlighting issues of mentorship, opportunity, and the mechanisms that govern who can train where and under what terms. — Source: RIA Novosti
Earlier, Roman Kostomarov expressed his own thoughts about Angelopol’s desire to return to the ice, adding another layer to the public discourse surrounding this case. Kostomarov’s perspective reflects the ongoing dialogue among former champions and current competitors about what it takes for a skater to re-enter competition, regain form, and navigate the sometimes rigid structures of coaching groups and federation guidelines. The exchange illustrates how personal histories and professional reputations influence discussions about eligibility, training opportunities, and the potential paths back to elite status. The broader takeaway is that the sport remains deeply interconnected, with past experiences informing present decisions and future possibilities. — Source: RIA Novosti