Eteri Tutberidze on being called a harsh coach: “Discussions like these help people justify their lack of success as if we’re using methods they don’t use. It makes it easier for them to explain our results.”
Eteri Tutberidze reflects on criticism, her daughter’s career abroad, and the future of coaching.
original source: Sport24 / MatchTV / Sport24
Renowned figure skating coach Eteri Tutberidze gave an in-depth interview to the magazine Editorial Opinion where she addressed various topics, including claims of her being a strict coach, her daughter’s decision to train overseas, and the circumstances under which she might retire from coaching. Here are a translation of some of the highlights.
Tutberidze discussed the persistent criticism that labels her as a “harsh” and “strict” coach.
“It’s impossible to keep looking back and explaining myself, saying, ‘Guys, that’s not true, I’m not like that,’” she said. “Society tends to have recurring themes and questions, and one of them for me is that I’m supposedly a cruel coach.”
She believes such narratives are often rooted in others excusing their lack of success:
“Discussions of this kind seem to help people justify their own failures, as if we’re using methods they don’t use. Maybe it’s easier for them to explain our results that way. But no – we just work, like everyone else. And not everything works out for us either.”
Eteri Tutberidze also shared insight into her daughter Diana Davis’s decision to train internationally. Diana Davis competes in ice dance with her partner Gleb Smolkin. While the duo previously represented Russia, they have skated for Georgia since 2023 and currently train at the Montreal Ice Academy in Canada, having trained earlier in the United States.
“I don’t think I’m a controlling mother at all. Diana is kind, soft, and very different from me. But she has serious goals and ambitions, and I respect her decisions,” Tutberidze said.
She elaborated on the moment her daughter expressed her desire to leave Russia to further her career:
“When Diana turned 16, she said to me, ‘I can’t see a coach here who is interested in working with us – a professional who can teach us how to skate well and become real athletes.’ That’s when her determination emerged. My phone was ringing constantly with her saying, ‘I’m going, that’s it! We have to train there!’”
Tutberidze admitted she was initially hesitant about the distance:
“I told her, ‘How do you imagine this? It’s a huge distance – I can’t just be there in an instant. I won’t be able to help.’ But she stood her ground, no matter how much I tried to persuade her otherwise. She showed incredible character.”
When asked if she had lost interest in coaching after the challenges surrounding the Olympics and the lack of access to international competitions, Tutberidze gave a firm response:
“When you reach the highest level, you realize you’re obligated to stay there. Now, people expect nothing but victories from us. It doesn’t matter what competition it is – if an athlete is with us, they’re expected to fight for medals. The standard cannot be lowered.”
She acknowledged that the demands of success are unending:
“Does it feel like it will never end? Yes, it will never end. The only time it will is when I realize I’m no longer contributing anything useful, and I tell myself, ‘That’s it. Stop. I’m retiring.’ But for now, I don’t want to think about that.”
Related topics: Eteri Tutberidze
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