Meagan Duhamel: “I think allowing Russian skaters to participate was the right decision. The ISU developed solid criteria, and they created a precedent by sticking to it. They chose Russian athletes who met the criteria, and I believe it was fair.”
Meagan Duhamel Reflects on Russian Skaters’ Role in International Figure Skating
original source: RSport / Vse pro Sport / TASS
Meagan Duhamel shared her thoughts on the inclusion of Russian skaters in international competitions, the exclusion of Mishina and Galliamov, and evaluated the Olympic 2026 medal prospects of Adeliia Petrosian and Petr Gumennik. Here’s a translation of her comments for Russian media.
On Russian Skaters and International Participation
Russian figure skaters Petr Gumennik and Adeliia Petrosian, competing under neutral status, recently participated in the Olympic qualification tournament for the 2026 Games, held in Beijing. Meagan Duhamel, Canada’s two-time World Champion in pair skating ad 2018 Olympic bronze medalist, highlighted the significance of Russian athletes in international figure skating:
“I think allowing Russian skaters to participate was the right decision. The ISU developed solid criteria, and they created a precedent by sticking to it. They chose Russian athletes who met the criteria, and I believe it was fair.
When Russians perform well at international events, they elevate the overall level of competition because others strive to match them. That’s important for the sport,” Duhamel noted.
On Mishina and Galliamov’s Exclusion
Contrary to Gumennik and Petrosian, Russia’s top pair skaters Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Galliamov were not granted neutral status to compete in the Olympic qualifier. Reflecting on their exclusion, Duhamel said:
“Is it fair that Mishina and Galliamov can’t compete here? There were photos circulating online that everyone saw, showing the athletes supporting things explicitly prohibited by the rules.
Honestly, I was surprised that this pair was nominated in the first place. If they had chosen a team without such controversies, perhaps another pair would have been here competing instead.
For many years, Mishina and Galliamov were my favorite athletes. I commented on the Beijing Olympics and cheered for their victory. They are one of my most beloved pairs, and their coach, Tamara Moskvina, is the greatest pair skating coach of all time. It’s a team I’ve always supported,” Duhamel said.
Evaluating Petr Gumennik and Adeliia Petrosian’s Olympic Prospects
After securing their licenses for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics during the Beijing tournament, Russian singles skaters Petr Gumennik and Adeliia Petrosian are already aiming for success at the Games. Meagan Duhamel shared her impressions of their performances:
“I watched both of their performances in China. I’m particularly fond of Petr Gumennik’s style and have followed him since he was just a young boy. His short program impressed me, but for him to contend for a medal in Italy, he’ll need a cleaner free program.
As for Adeliia Petrosian, she seems a little further behind in the race for medals at the moment. Her jumps appear tight and lack fluidity. However, I believe she can improve this aspect and compete against the world’s best skaters at the Olympics in Italy,” Duhamel concluded.
Related topics: Adeliia Petrosian, Anastasia Mishina Alexandr Galliamov, meagan Duhamel, Olympic Games, Petr Gumennik, Tamara Moskvina
Carolina: by your logic, any competition where one of the top athletes is injured or can’t participate for whatever reason has worthless medals. Yes, the Russians have always had outstanding skaters, but it’s not like everyone else barely can do a waltz jump.
Secondly, the reason why there isn’t going to be a Russian pair or an ice dance team at the Olympics is not the ISU’s fault. They put forward a list of criteria and the Russian fed chose to test the boundaries. All they needed to do was to not nominate teams that were never going to pass.
Thirdly, why there aren’t more Russian men or girls? Because, no matter what the guys in Russia call it, there’s still a war going on that Russia started *during the Olympic truce* and there have to be consequences for that. If the framework of the games is broken without repercussions, the whole thing becomes obsolete and then what’s the point of having them in the first place? You wouldn’t build a house on a cracked foundation either.
Galliamov did some pro-Putin appearances and attended war rallies as a public figure. The ISU won’t release the details of their decision, but vocal support for the war was one of the disqualifying factors.
No, I cannot understand at all why Mishina and Gallianow cannot participate. And when, it had been necessairy to nominate another pair, the second in the Russian competitions last year. It is unfair. The international pair, who will get the gold medal ist not the forst in tzhe world without the Russians. What is a medal worth, when the best scaters have to stay at home. Nothing- not worth at all. And why cannot participate more Russian girls and man? Why not the dance pairs? Complete unfair. The Olympivs 2026 is a very poor competition in figure scating. Excluded the man- Ilja is the best in the wolrd!