Anton Sikharulidze: “It’s important for foreign athletes to be able to compete with our skaters, to see what real skating looks like.”

Anton Sikharulidze, acting head of the Russian Figure Skating Federation, about the importance of Russians returning to the international arena.

original source: Free Skate show

Acting head of the Russian Figure Skating Federation, Anton Sikharulidze, talks about raising the age minimum and the importance of Russians returning to the international arena.

“Q: There’s another issue – raising the age minimum to 17 years old. We don’t have so many athletes at that age; ours are younger. Will our young ones have enough passion and quadruple jumps by the time they’re 17?

Anton Sikharulidze: We live by ISU rules. We have to adapt. I’m confident that, if our girls at the age of 16 were able to do a quad or a few, they and their coaches will be able to maintain these jumps until they’re 17 and 18 as well.

This question has only recently arisen, now it stands point-blank and we must learn to let these multi-rotational jumps last longer than they used to. This is a feasible task; I don’t see a disaster.

We have so many girls who perform several quadruple jumps that even if only one remains by the age of 17-18, that will be enough to win the Olympics.

I wouldn’t give so much significance to the age minimum. We live on this trajectory within these rules. If we want to participate in international competitions, we have to adjust to this system.

Q: And do we want to participate in international competitions?

Anton Sikharulidze: I think it’s interesting. It’s important for foreign athletes to be able to compete with our skaters, to see what real skating looks like.

And, of course, it is very important for our athletes. After all, it’s captivating when many countries participate; it’s a celebration of sport.”

Related topics: Anton Sikharulidze