Russia's Figure Skating Dominance Shatters in Milan
A collective gasp echoed through the arena as Adeliia Petrosian crashed to the ice, her ambitious quadruple jump attempt ending in a dramatic fall. This moment symbolized the conclusion of Russia's long-standing supremacy in Olympic women's figure skating, a reign that had remained unbroken since 2010.
The High-Stakes Performance
Petrosian arrived in Milan as a prominent medal hopeful within the 13-member "individual neutral athlete" delegation from Russia, competing without national flags or symbols due to International Olympic Committee restrictions. Starting the day in fifth place, her strategy hinged on executing quadruple jumps—a technical feat no other competitor in the event could match.
The 18-year-old skater planned two quads but fell on her initial quad toeloop attempt. Emotionally shaken, Petrosian later admitted she wanted to "get up and leave quickly" after the mishap. Consequently, she opted not to risk a second quad, a decision that ultimately dashed her medal aspirations.
Aftermath and Reflection
Petrosian finished in sixth place, while American skater Alysa Liu secured a historic gold medal. This outcome marked the first time in over a decade that a Russian athlete failed to win the women's figure skating gold at the Olympics. Moreover, Russia—a traditional powerhouse in the sport—left these Games without any figure skating medals, represented by only two competitors.
In a post-event interview, Petrosian expressed profound disappointment, stating that returning to Russia would be "mentally hard" and that she blamed herself for the performance. "Right now I'm just a bit ashamed for myself, the federation, the coaches, the spectators that it turned out like that," she added, highlighting the weight of expectations.
Geopolitical Context and Future Implications
Russia has not competed under its own flag at any Olympics since 2016, initially due to doping scandals and later because of IOC restrictions imposed during Russia's war in Ukraine. The neutral athlete delegation managed only one medal in Milan—a silver in ski mountaineering by Nikita Filippov, who noted the difficulty of watching others compete in their national colors.
The IOC's handling of the conflict has sparked ongoing debate at the Milan Cortina Games, particularly when a Ukrainian athlete was excluded for planning to wear a helmet honoring fallen compatriots. Meanwhile, restrictions on Russian athletes are gradually easing; athletes from Russia and Belarus are set to compete with flags and anthems at the upcoming Paralympics, and the IOC has recommended similar allowances for youth athletes since December.
Fan Support and Broader Reactions
When asked about fans being barred from flying Russian flags and the potential for Russia's Olympic return, Petrosian focused on gratitude for her supporters. "I heard everything they were shouting, how our Russian-speaking spectators supported me. Of course it's pleasant," she remarked.
However, Ukrainian Sports Minister Matvii Bidnyi criticized any relaxation of Russia's neutral status, calling it "irresponsible" and suggesting it could condone the invasion as the war approaches its fourth anniversary. This juxtaposition underscores the complex interplay between sports and global politics, with Petrosian's fall serving as a poignant metaphor for Russia's shifting standing in international figure skating.
