“It’s clear that she is not the primary coach, and you can often observe coaches helping athletes from other teams.” Tutberidze will not be allowed to accompany Petrosian during her performances, though she can attend training sessions
IOC: Tutberidze can assist Petrosian at the 2026 Olympics but cannot lead her during official competitions.
he International Olympic Committee (IOC) clarified that Russian figure skating coach Eteri Tutberidze can support her student Adeliia Petrosian, competing under neutral status at the 2026 Milan Olympics, during training sessions, but she is not permitted to lead her during the official competition. Here’s a translation.
Mark Adams, Director of Communications for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), stated that Eteri Tutberidze, a Russian figure skating coach, is allowed to assist Adeliia Petrosian during the ongoing Milan Olympics, where Petrosian is competing under a neutral status.
Tutberidze, who attended Petrosian’s training session on February 16, faced restrictions during a previous Olympic qualification event under the International Skating Union (ISU) in Beijing last September. At that event, she was accredited as a Georgian team representative and was barred from direct interaction with her student during the competition.
Adams explained, “It’s clear that she is not the primary coach, and you can often observe coaches helping athletes from other teams. We’ve seen similar cases, like Russian coach Rafael Arutyunyan assisting the American athlete Ilia Malinin. There’s nothing extraordinary about this, nor is there any rule prohibiting it.”
The IOC also clarified that Eteri Tutberidze will not be allowed to accompany Adeliia Petrosian during her performances at the 2026 Winter Olympics, though she can attend training sessions.
A statement from the IOC’s press department elaborated on the matter: “Ms. Tutberidze was accredited for the 2026 Winter Olympics using her Georgian passport as a coach representing the Georgian National Olympic Committee. Therefore, no specific review process was required.
Just like at all Olympic Games, figure skating athletes may seek advice from other coaches they are familiar with during training sessions. A similar situation occurred with another neutral athlete in figure skating, Petr Gumennik, who received support during training from a coach accredited with the United States Olympic Committee (Rafael Arutyunyan). However, during the actual competition, athletes may only be coached by accredited team representatives.”
Mark Adams previously confirmed that Tutberidze is permitted to provide assistance to Petrosian during the Games. Alongside Tutberidze, Daniil Gleikhengauz, who is accredited at the event in neutral athlete status (AIN), was also present in Milan.
Related topics: Adeliia Petrosian, Eteri Tutberidze, Olympic Games
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