“What sets her apart is that she enjoys the moment. Alysa is happy with what she has. That’s what our athletes lack. They don’t know how to be grateful for what they have.” Eteri Tutberidze on Alysa Liu
Eteri Tutberidze explained how Russian athletes differ from American Alysa Liu, who won at the 2026 Olympics.
original source: MatchTV
Eteri Tutberidze contrasted Russian skaters with Olympic champion Alysa Liu, saying Russians often lack gratitude and enjoyment, while Liu embraces the moment and appreciates what she has. Here’s a translation of her comment.
“No one goes [to competitions] just for the gold medal; everyone goes to show their content. That’s what Liu demonstrated. It’s not news – it’s the right approach. What sets her apart is that she enjoys the moment. Even as a child, she was very down-to-earth in everyday life.
That’s what our athletes lack. They don’t know how to be grateful for what they have. They often talk about how hard things are for them. But these kids are the chosen ones and should be grateful. Yet in training, they act as if they’re poor and miserable, and that’s the face they bring to practice. That’s the difference.
Alysa is happy with what she has. Our athletes act as if they’re always struggling and suffering. Let them sit in school until 4 p.m. and see if it’s any easier. And no one would know about it, unlike in figure skating. I’m sure there will be hate now. People always tell me I should be above it. I reply that I’m already 178 cm tall,” Tutberidze said.
Related topics: Alysa Liu, Eteri Tutberidze
LOL. Doesn’t she know that Alysa only found that happiness after she took control over herself, training schedule, diet and all?
From all I’ve heard of Eteri’s demands as a coach, I never cheer for Team Tutberidze. I usually pitty her girls instead.
Eteri of all people wonders why her skaters never seem happy? There’s a common denominator in the somewhere…