Stepanova and Bukin: “Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time we’ve been barred from the Olympics in our careers.” & “We plan to return to the international stage as soon as we’re allowed. We’ve decided that we’re aiming for the next Olympics.

Stepanova and Bukin Intend to Continue Their Careers Until the 2030 Olympics

original source: Championat

European medalists and four-time Russian champions in ice dance, Aleksandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin, announced their intention to continue competing until the 2030 Olympics, despite being denied neutral status for the 2026 Games. Here’s a translation of their comments.

“Q: How did you cope with not being allowed to compete [at the Olympics]? Did you consider retiring?

Stepanova: We had a lot of questions when we found out. And we never learned the reasons for what happened.

Bukin: Yes, unfortunately, this isn’t the first time we’ve been barred from the Olympics in our careers. To answer your question about ending our careers: that was never even discussed! We thought about what to do and how to start working in this situation.

Stepanova: Yes, we considered how best to start the season, whether to take a break or not. We ended the previous season early to create interesting programs and come up with new elements for the Olympic season.

I don’t want to say that some competitions aren’t important and only the Olympics matter – no. All competitions are important to us, and we prepare for each one and do a huge amount of work, but when you have the motivation and drive for the Olympics, nothing compares.

When this news came, we never thought about ending our careers! After we changed coaching teams and moved to Alexander Zhulin, we discussed our future together and understood that this Olympics and the next season are not our last cycle.

We were more thinking about when to start, whether to take a slightly longer break. In the end, we realized: if we give ourselves slack now, take more rest for no clear reason, and just feel sorry for ourselves – that’s nonsense! We need to meet, talk, and start working right away, without giving ourselves any leeway.

It was hard. There were a million questions, and we still have no answers. Even from the first time, there were no answers. We competed at the 2022 Olympics, and now again we’re not competing. And no one gives a reason – it’s strange. We have no stories that are unsportsmanlike or controversial.

Q: It’s admirable that you recorded a video message to the ISU, even though it didn’t have the desired effect…

Bukin: We wanted to be heard, but deep down we understood it wouldn’t change anything.

Stepanova: We had hope, of course, but we realized that in this situation, it was probably all useless. Still, we couldn’t just sit and stay silent, that’s true. We talked a lot with each other and with our coaches. We just couldn’t sit and say nothing.

Q: Am I right in understanding that you intend to stay and fight for the next Olympics in 2030?

Bukin: Yes, we plan to return to the international stage as soon as we’re allowed. We’ve decided that we’re aiming for the next Olympics. We want to keep improving and working!”

Related topics: Alexandra Stepanova Ivan Bukin