Russian Skaters Allowed to Compete as Neutrals (AIN) to Qualify for 2026 Winter Olympics

[TAHbKA]

Russian media reports Petrosian headed to China with the `federation representatives and a physio'. Guess her father didn't have to fly after all

 

[kirkbiggestfan]

Was Shvetsky promoted to physio?

 

[Ananas Astra]

Was Shvetsky promoted to physio?

That would be the ultimate troll move.

 

[TAHbKA]

Tutberidze is in China. One Russian media outlet writes `Petrosian will have support off ice' , the other - `an accredited coach has a right to be next to any skater'. Am not quite sure how is she accredited? With Gubanova for Georgia? As a Russian fed official?

ETA: As part of the Georgian federation.

 

[Vagabond]

Tutberidze is in China. One Russian media outlet writes `Petrosian will have support off ice'

?
?
?

 

[floridaice]

Photo during practice -- Eteri with Petrosian

Practice photo

 

[fan]

Photo during practice -- Eteri with Petrosian

Practice photo

So much for “neutral”…

 

[MacMadame]

So much for “neutral”…

So much for "if she talks to anyone else, she'll be banned" as well.

 

[caseyedwards]

Talking to Ted is the most ostentatious rule breaking of the day! Ostentatious flagrant and flamboyant

 

[Ananas Astra]

But seriously, what did they expect with this "rule"?
It's not like you can supervise them at all times and Eteri just happens to be Adeliia's coach, so I guess this is fine.

 

[Vagabond]

I think I'm missing something here. Why wouldn't Petrosian be allowed to have any contact with her coach when the coach is accredited for the competition? Or vice versa?

 

[Karen-W]

I think I'm missing something here. Why wouldn't Petrosian be allowed to have any contact with her coach when the coach is accredited for the competition? Or vice versa?

The AIN's support team have to go through the same vetting process as the AINs themselves. There are people who believe Eteri should not have been approved because of the Valieva ban & the lingering questions about doping within Team Eteri.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

But Eteri didn't have to go through the vetting, did she? Danny G did. Eteri is accredited as Gubanova's coach, and since Gubanova is not an AIN, she was not subject to extra vetting.

A loophole, basically.

 

[Vagabond]

But Eteri didn't have to go through the vetting, did she? Danny G did. Eteri is accredited as Gubanova's coach, and since Gubanova is not an AIN, she was not subject to extra vetting.

A loophole, basically.

Or a shrewd power play by Tutberidze, who isn't Gubanova's regular coach but to whom the Georgian Federation is indebted. It depends on how you look at it.

Part of me wants to believe that the unexpected telephone call from the Georgian Federation inviting Gubanova to skate for Georgia and her disastrous Short Program at Worlds last season were Tutberidze being clairvoyant and playing four-dimensional chess, but I think that I might be overestimating her cunning.

 

[Ka3sha]

Gubanova is in Beijing with her coach-husband Roman Galay, who is a part of her coaching team and had been with her at some events last season as well.

Tutberdze was not anywhere near Gubanova during the practices

 

[Vagabond]

Tutberdze was not anywhere near Gubanova during the practices

Or before or after her Short Program.

 

[farahfan]

Or before or after her Short Program.

definitely made moves to have her there in Beijing without going through the screening process.

 

[angi]

Or before or after her Short Program.

She was watching Gubanova skate by the boards, you can see her when she skates, and you can see her leave when Loena starts. Not saying she was accredited by using her, but she was seen.

 

[Vagabond]

She was watching Gubanova skate by the boards, you can see her when she skates, and you can see her leave when Loena starts. Not saying she was accredited by using her, but she was seen.

Only because the Georgian Federation  made her be there.

 

[MacMadame]

IOC has said Russian athletes can talk to the media at the Olympics.

Skating body drops rule barring Russian 'neutral' athletes from media at Olympics

The International Skating Union has scrapped a rule which aimed to prevent Russian skaters from speaking with the media or appearing at news conferences when they compete as neutral athletes at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

apnews.com

 

[PRlady]

If they’re wise, all they will answer to political questions is “I’m here to skate my best.”

 

[Lanie]

IOC really wants that Russian money.

It’s amazing to me that the ban is only for the horrible invasion of Ukraine as opposed to that as well as the state sponsored doping program that they are unashamed about.

 

[olympic]

IOC really wants that Russian money.

It’s amazing to me that the band is only for the horrible invasion of Ukraine as opposed to that as well as the state sponsored doping program that they are unashamed about.

Ironically, the tension and the drama of this Olympics will still be high quality without them.

 

[Lanie]

I've enjoyed the sport so much more without them. I do not want Russians back, at all, considering Ukraine and the doping, not to mention the child abuse along with said doping.

 

[Firedancer]

I've enjoyed the sport so much more without them. I do not want Russians back, at all, considering Ukraine and the doping, not to mention the child abuse along with said doping.

Agree 100%. Skating has been so much better without Russia. I don’t want any of them back