Sofia Samodelkina: “Now I realize that I’ve been walking toward the Olympics my whole life. I remember the little girl who believed that one day she would be here. Today I can tell her: we made it. And I am proud.”
Kazakh figure skater Sofia Samodelkina reflected on her debut at the 2026 Winter Olympics, expressing gratitude to her coaches, family, friends, psychologist, and fans after achieving a personal best and finishing tenth overall.
original source: Instagram
Kazakh figure skater Sofia Samodelkina published a post on her Instagram page dedicated to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. In her post, the athlete noted that she had been working toward the Olympics her entire life, thanked her famiy, first and current coaches, as well as friends and her psychologist. The 2026 Games were Samodelkina’s Olympic debut. After the short program, the 19-year-old athlete was in 12th place. Following the free skate, she improved her result and finished tenth overall, setting a new personal record.
“Olympic Games.
Now I realize that I’ve been walking toward this my whole life. Not just one season. Not just one competition. But every single day – step by step, since childhood.
Behind this moment are years of tremendous work: endless training sessions, tears and smiles, doubts and victories, injuries and comebacks, moves and new opportunities. There were difficult periods when I had to start over, and there were moments of real pride in the path I had taken. This is my story. And it brought me to where I am today. We did it.
In 2023, a new chapter of my life began – I started representing the Republic of Kazakhstan, my mother’s homeland. It is a great honor and responsibility. People believe in me. An entire country supports me. I am sincerely grateful to the Republic of Kazakhstan for its trust and support.
First of all – thank you to my mom. For her persistence, for her strictness, for her patience and belief when I doubted myself. This is her Olympics too.
Thank you to my very first coach (Biktagirova) – that’s where everything was built. And to every coach I worked with after that. Every step forward carries a part of your effort, experience, and belief.
A special thank you to Rafael Arutyunyan. Thank you for your trust and for reaching out your hand at a moment when it mattered the most. Because of you, a new chapter began in my athletic life.
Thank you to my family – for believing in me and living this journey with me. My grandmother always told me that I would make it to the Olympics. And today, her words became reality.
Thank you to my friends – for laughter in the moments when I needed it most, and for the sincerity that means so much on this path.
Thank you to my psychologist – for inner strength and calm in the most important seconds.
And of course, my fans. I know how your hearts were beating while I was skating. I felt your support. Your messages, your flags, your words – it’s an energy that stays with me.
I remember the little girl who believed that one day she would be here. Today I can tell her: we made it. And I am proud.”
Related topics: Sofia Samodelkina
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