“Partners asked me to support them financially. Paying for ice training for both of us and, of course, you have to pay a salary. Sometimes, male skaters give the girl their own rider.” Anastasia Galustyan on her attempt to switch to ice dance
In an interview, Anastasia Galustyan, who represented Armenia in singles skating, spoke about her attempt to switch to ice dance.
original source: RIA
Anastasia Galustyan, who represented Armenia in single skating, shared her challenging experiences trying to switch to ice dance, including financial demands from partners and her ongoing motivation to continue skating. Here’s a translation.
“Q: What were the most absurd situations you encountered in ice dance?
Anastasia Galustyan: Partners asked me to support them financially. Paying for ice training for both of us is about 60,000 (800 USD) a month. Plus extra lessons – another 15,000 (200 USD). Most often, the cost of competition costumes also falls on you. And, of course, you have to pay a salary.
Q: And how much does a partner cost these days? I’ve often heard sums around 100,000 a month.
Anastasia Galustyan: Roughly, yes, about 100,000 (1300 USD). That’s the average; everyone’s demands are different. Sometimes, male skaters give the girl their own rider. I had such a case.
Q: Will you name names?
Anastasia Galustyan: I’d rather not. I’ll just say – it’s an active skater, a participant in the Russian Nationals. I think such demands are inappropriate; we’re both supposed to be interested in results, but it turns out I’m the only one striving for something, and he… It’s like he’s just going to work. And without any enjoyment.
Q: That’s basically professional prostitution.
Anastasia Galustyan: Essentially, yes. I completely understand that there’s a huge shortage of boys in figure skating. Still, partnerships in sport should be built on mutual desire to achieve something.
Q: How did you feel when you received the rider?
Anastasia Galustyan: Humiliated. I burst into tears. I thought: it’s my fault, I’m so bad that they only see me as a way to make money. Like, “It won’t work out anyway, but at least I’ll make some cash.” It’s better to be direct and part ways. I’m a reasonable person. Once, I got on a “Moscow–Minsk” bus and went to skate with Vladislav Polkhovsky, who was ready to join the Armenian team. They didn’t let him go. I was desperate, even considered competing for Belarus myself. Move, find a job, live in a dorm. What else could I do? But we realized we wouldn’t have any international competitions, and Vlad was open, honest, and timely in saying we had no future.
Q: Do you still want to continue your career?
Anastasia Galustyan: I’d like to, but a lot doesn’t depend on me alone. I’ve accepted that, so I’ve let the situation go.
Q: What motivates you to think about continuing?
Anastasia Galustyan: I don’t know. I can’t come up with a rational answer. I just want something good to happen. Maybe everything I’ve said sounds like a complete nightmare. But in reality, going through all this was my conscious choice. No one forced me. And maybe I still haven’t figured out what it’s like to live outside of figure skating. When I’m on the ice, training, performing, I feel happy. And I want to feel that happiness again.”
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