Eteri Tutberidze: “As soon as athletes and their parents achieve major results, they immediately forget who helped them get there. Strangely enough, very few of the athletes I’ve worked with still come back and thank me.”
Eteri Tutberidze reflects on coaching, gratitude, and the role of parents in figure skating
original source: Sports / Sports
Eteri Tutberidze shared her thoughts in an interview with Editorial Opinion on the realities of her profession and the sacrifices required from both coaches and parents of athletes. Here are a translation.
Tutberidze was open about the challenges of working with athletes and their families, explaining the complex dynamics that emerge after achieving significant results.
“In my work, it’s important to understand that athletes and their parents are all demanding in their own way. As soon as they achieve major results, they immediately forget who helped them get there. The key is to never expect gratitude – ever,” she said.
She posed a thought-provoking question to herself: “If I knew in advance that after winning an Olympic medal, an athlete would stop greeting me within two days and act as if they don’t know me, would I still have invested all that effort?”
Her answer was firm: “Yes, I would take the exact same path. I would invest just as much again. Because I do this for myself above all else – to respect myself and to ensure I never regret a missed opportunity.”
When asked if her attitude had evolved over time, Tutberidze acknowledged that emotions often come into play.
“Of course, it’s unpleasant, even painful, when a skater no longer acknowledges you. At first, emotions run high, but in the end, the answer remains the same: I would do it all over again and commit the same way.”
She views such moments as a reminder that her professional success is tied to the achievements of her athletes: “Strangely enough, very few of the athletes I’ve worked with still come back and thank me. It’s similar to families—children rarely thank their parents for everything they’ve done to help them succeed in life.”
Even in the face of criticism, Tutberidze remains unwavering. “Of course, I will keep doing this! I’m not the one skating, nor am I the one giving speeches. My job is to guide athletes to success,” she asserted.
Tutberidze also highlighted the pivotal role parents play in shaping a skater’s career, emphasizing the sacrifices required.
“Figure skating parents are a story of their own. Such a parent must completely dedicate themselves to their child and their child’s training. They must offer unconditional support and protection, even if the child is in the wrong – I understand that very well. It’s not just about helping; it’s about being present at practically every training session. There must be unwavering maternal love,” she explained.
She noted a pattern among successful female skaters: “From my experience, every girl who has made it to the top had parents who embodied this kind of love. It’s an extraordinary sacrifice – you sacrifice your own life, and you must understand what you’re doing it for. Because as a parent, you’re unlikely to receive that same depth of love in return – more often, it’s the opposite,” Tutberidze observed.
Related topics: Eteri Tutberidze
Oh stop whining Eteri. They don’t need to thank you for taking at least 40% of their earnings. Have you gone to reflect that you also should be showing gratitude to your skaters for their obedience and patience? You act as if training girls is some sort of sacrifice when you are doing it for the benefit and promotion of your own skating school. Stop trying to be a martyr or saint. Because you are FAR FAR from being a saint. I’m going to guess hell is actually where you are going after this lifetime for the abuses that you do.