“Previously, we had three people in each discipline, but now, if allowed — only one. It’s a colossal theft.” Tatiana Tarasova on the admission of Russian skaters to Olympic qualifier competition

Tatiana Tarasova commented on the admission of Russian skaters to Olympic qualifier competition.

original source: Sport24

Honored Coach of the USSR Tatiana Tarasova commented on the admission of Russian skaters to participate in the 2026 Olympic Games qualifier competition. Here’s a translation of her comment.

Previously, the International Skating Union (ISU) granted Russia one neutral status quota for each figure skating discipline at the 2026 Olympics qualification competition.

“The new generation of our athletes has a good and high level. Our youth always win: in figure skating everywhere. Pairs, singles — it’s all young people. But the suspension will cost us dearly. Our level has by no means decreased. But to maintain it, we need international competitions.

I want to say again: I do not understand our suspension. Politics should not mix with sports. And even more unclear is why they are not reinstating us. We will need to fight everywhere to earn the opportunity to participate. Previously, we had three people in each discipline, but now, if allowed — only one. It’s a colossal theft. It’s easier to break one, easier to win against one. But we will try.

This is all a great injustice towards the Russians, who for decades have been the best in all types of figure skating and have led the sport forward and upward. There are simply no words to describe what they have done to us.

We won’t return in full strength in the near future. And then there will be another generation, other people. A sporting life is not infinite; it’s very short.” said Tarasova in a conversation with Sport24 correspondent Boris Korolev.

Related topics: Tatiana Tarasova