She skated competitively through the . "Eteri is an outstanding coach," Tarasova said, describing Plushenko as just a "beginner". Since the CAS tribunal gave Valieva the go-ahead to compete, theres been understandable outrage, particularly among former skaters who spent their careers being monitored by the anti-doping regimen. Richaud said, admitting the victory felt bittersweet, because it followed a potentially career-ending injury of a competitor. If a young athlete enrolls to compete in an organized sport, she must do it in accordance with the rules of the game, including the rules whose violation entails disciplinary consequences. They are subjected to daily public weigh-ins and verbal and physical abuse. At first. Travis Tygart, the CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, has said the banned heart drug, in conjunction with two (non-banned) other heart medications administered to Valieva, seem to be aimed at increasing endurance, reducing fatigue, and promoting greater efficiency in using oxygen.. One could hear crashing and shouting of true fear. Johnny Weir, NBCs prime-time figure skating commentator, posted an Instagram photo of himself smiling during his visit to Sambo-70, calling it the most iconic school in the world and saying he was very thankful I got to enjoy such beautiful skating.. Tutberidze's athletes' prime medal-winning years coincide with this period of development. Customer Service. Coach Eteri Tutberidze with skater Alexandra Trusova at the Russian Figure Skating Championships in 2021. . I hope that whichever adults faulted her are held ACCOUNTABLE. Tutberidze has come to be regarded as the world's leading expert in creating figure skating champions. The coach embraced her, then looked past her. After the performance, through which Lipinski and Weir remained mostly silent, Lipinski said, Its the Olympic movement. There were times I wanted to, felt absolutely helpless, she said to Inside the Games when her suspension was lifted. By the words of Eteri in her interview, her father hoped that the fifth child in their family would be a boy, but he wasnt disappointed when the fourth daughter was born. These anecdotes are being used to demonstrate that a double standard appears to be at play here. Others try to thread the needle of supporting her skaters without supporting her. The revelation seemed to create a space to talk about the training methods of Eteri Tutberidze, a coach at the Moscow skating school Sambo-70 who trains all three of the female Russian skaters . All contents 2023 The Slate Group LLC. She was juggling her own responsibilities, looking at her phone for a conversation over FaceTime, moving her shoulders and arms to make a point. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, This password will be used to sign into all, a writer for the Cut who covers news and culture, Photo: Sergei Bobylev/TASS via Getty Images. Meanwhile, Tygart is considering bringing charges against Tutberidze and the other adults associated with Valieva her other coaches and doctors under the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act, a U.S. anti-doping law that allows the U.S. to prosecute other countries for doping at international events with U.S. competitors, which could result in fines up to $1 million and up to ten years in prison. When 15-year-old Russian skater Kamila Valieva took to the ice Tuesday in her purple chiffon skating dress to warm up for the womens short program, NBC analysts Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski seemed at a loss for words unusual for the chatty commentating team. But the time passed, and there were only 5 of them left figure skaters of the highest expectations. Whats going on at Sambo-70 is different only in degree from what is happening in many other rinks around the world. And some have long suspected that Tutberidzes successes might be linked to doping. Jul 18, 2019. . It might serve certain people and federations with skeletons of their own to put the focus solely on the doping violations and not the context in which they took place. According to the Insider report, Tutberidze's name is one of 600 carved into the Survivor Wall in downtown Oklahoma City. They've been winning ever since. Prepubescent girls have the perfect strength-to-weight ratio to complete rotations without the vertical spring and power of a matured jumper, once they enter puberty and their strength-to-weight ratio changes, they begin to falter in competition pushing their bodies to extremes or suffer injury. (Medvedeva had demonstrated unusual longevity for a Tutberidze skater, winning through 2016-17. (If she had, the awards ceremony . In 2019, Russian Ukrainian skater Anastasiia Shabotova spoke out about Team Tutberidzes alleged doping on her Instagram Live. Figure skater Kamila Valieva (C) of Russia with her coaches Eteri Tutberidze (L) and Daniil Gleikhengauz (R) waiting for the score after performing during a ladies' free skating event at the 2019 . She is known as an engaging speaker, but more importantly a genuine follower of Jesus. Her methods are no secret. Unsurprisingly, this purely semantic punishment didnt lead to widespread reform in the system. Though she did prevail in part because she had the means to hire an attorney, something that many athletes are unable to do she did say that there were certainly times when she wanted to throw the towel in. Figure Skating stipend, and she and her partner had to withdraw from the 2021 world championships. The coach received the first close attention of the sporting press after the tremendous success of her student Yulia Lipnitskaya. Dr. Moran added that Usacheva type of injury is common among skaters during puberty, when the growth-plates are still open. But at the end of 2015 Lipnitskaya left Tutberidze and shifted to the coach Alexey Urmanov. I fell in love with figure skating when I was 5, mesmerized by the spins and jumps I watched at the Olympics and by the delicate beauty of the girls and young women in elegant, sparkly dresses. You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. In other words, it was a trade-off: athletes started doping when the potential harm of overtraining exceeded the potential harm of taking drugs.. Her students are such figure skaters, as two-time world champion and silver winner of the Olympics Evgenia Medvedeva, the winner of the European Championship Sergey Voronov and Olympics champions Yulia Lipnitskaya and Alina Zagitova. Then my doctor prescribed me an injectable weight-loss drug that upended everything. Eteri has faced scrutiny for trading on her athletes' health and longevity for medals. 4. . They all train with the same coach, Eteri Tutberidze, at a storied rink in Moscow called Sambo-70. All images belong to Every year, a new, younger Eteri girl emerges on the scene while others retire, at age 17, 16, or even 14. She was the 5 child in the Georgian family of many children: a glorified sportswoman has a brother and three sisters. Coach caught in brutal outburst at devastated Kamila Valieva. Natalia Linichuk was training more than a dozen pairs and had not enough time to work on details over every element with each student. On the junior level, Davis/Smolkin are the 2020 Russian junior national bronze medalists, finished in the top five at . Russian figure staking coach Eteri Tutberidze's training methods are being scrutinized after a report that Kamila Valieva, a skater she trained, allegedly tested positive for a banned substance at . In order to be a part of the Russian sport program, you need to be able to do everything that youre told to do, said Rob Koehler, director general of the advocacy group Global Athlete. But Ive also watched documentaries about the legendary, now infamous gymnastics coaches Bela and Marta Karolyi, and theyve helped provide a language for what Ive seen in figure skating: a culture of child abuse. It's easy to forget that Tutberidze's dominance marks a significant shift in the world standings: the American women's figure skating heyday of the '90's when skaters like Michelle Kwan were able to hold their own against Russian counterparts, gave way to a strong Japanese field in the 2000's. Yulia Lipnitskaya was even hospitalized for anorexia after her Olympic performance in 2014. See our favorite looks from outside the shows. By allowing her to skate at the Olympics, CAS has vindicated her abusers, emboldening them to use further unthinkable methods. Her daughter, Diana Davis, competed in the ice dance at Beijing 2022 and . However, professional sport is always involved with injuries. At the same time, at the end of September, the athlete performed at . Tatiana Tarasova gave special attention to the pair of Klimova-Ponomarenko, which was destined to perform at the Olympic Games. The Eteri girls talk openly about not being able to drink water during competitions. The best of movies, TV, books, music, and more, delivered to your inbox. She is not dating anyone. The slightest of motions of the figure skaters seemed so magical and fabulous for Eteri, that a little girl compared the athletes with small snowflakes. Getty Images Jopa KOK:n puheenjohtaja Thomas Bach mynsi tyrmistyneens itkuisen Valijevan saamasta hyytvst kohtelusta vapaaohjelman jlkeen. It is often preceded by muscle fatigue or soreness, according to Dr. Jane Moran, who chairs the International Skating Union (ISU) Medical Commission. The press was discussing the conflicts between Julia and her coach and also about her health problems. But the toll of this hard work hasnt exactly been a secret, either. Tutberidze has been opaque about Valievas test result and her potential involvement in it, maintaining that Valieva is innocent and clean. Because Valieva is so young, many are demanding that the adults around her be held responsible. ", "Opinion: Why the quad revolution in women's figure skating is a tragedy", "The Russian women's figure skating team has bigger problems than doping", "A quoi ressemble le camp d'entranement des jeunes patineuses russes? What is also missed in the discussion around these anecdotes is just how byzantine the global anti-doping system truly is. Others pointed out that Italian skater Carolina Kostner, the 2012 world champion and 2014 Olympic bronze medalist, served a 21-month suspension from the sport at the behest of the Italian Olympic Committee amid allegations that she had helped her then-boyfriend, Olympic racewalker Alex Schwazer, evade a drug test. 5:30 PM. During her career, Eteri gained a couple of medals at the stage of Soviet Cup. The positive doping result couldnt be easily rationalized away the way that one could rationalize Tutberidzes methods as simply tough coaching if one wished to do so. "I'm worried these athletes won't last long," she said. At her Moscow rink, Eteri Tutberidze created a figure skating dynasty. "They are like a stable of thoroughbreds competing and pushing one another," says Canadian skating official Ted Barton of the extremely disciplined training environment Tutberidze has created. Its not simply that they lose to their younger compatriots; its that by the time they lose to their younger teammates, they are often dealing with severe, career-ending injuries. Valieva is embraced by her coach Eteri Tutberidze, who has admitted that her skaters used meldonium, a . Pliner turned out to be a very strict and laconic coach, though his students respected him. These are not the first impressive victories of Tutberidzes student. Valieva, Shcherbakova, and Trusova all train with Eteri Tutberidze, a famed Russian coach and former ice dancer who has trained many of the best female skaters in recent memory, including the skaters who won gold and silver at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang. [3][4] The youngest of five children, she is half-Georgian, a quarter Russian, and a quarter Armenian. Terms of Service apply. The sportswoman also got a musical education: Eteri successfully graduated from the musical school of Ippolit-Ivanov, choosing piano as her major musical instrument. The 15-year-old's coach Eteri Tutberidze was seen criticizing her on the broadcast. ! Bonaly, who now works as a coach in the US, is in awe of Tutberidze's achievements as a coach. How had Tutberidzes pupils become so dominant over the course of the six seasons, winning four of the last five world titles and five of six European titles, and going 1-2 at the Pyeongchang Olympics? Her to skate at the Olympics, CAS has vindicated her abusers, emboldening them to use unthinkable. And laconic coach, Eteri Tutberidze was seen criticizing her on the.... Maintaining that Valieva is innocent and clean strict and laconic coach, Eteri Tutberidze seen! At her Moscow rink, Eteri Tutberidze, at the Olympics, CAS has vindicated her abusers emboldening! The coach Alexey Urmanov Ukrainian skater Anastasiia Shabotova spoke out about Team Tutberidzes alleged on..., emboldening them to use further unthinkable methods absolutely helpless, she said in many rinks! Past her in brutal outburst at devastated Kamila Valieva coach Eteri Tutberidze, who now works as a coach the! Suspected that Tutberidzes successes might be linked to doping, Its the Olympic movement only in degree what. With injuries pair of Klimova-Ponomarenko, which was destined to perform at the stage of Soviet...., this purely semantic punishment didnt lead to widespread reform in the top five at 5 of them figure! Bronze medalists, finished in the system delivered to your inbox unsurprisingly, this purely semantic punishment didnt lead widespread! Felt absolutely helpless, she is known as an engaging speaker, but more importantly a genuine of., maintaining that Valieva is so young, many are demanding that the adults her. Child in the system at her Moscow rink, Eteri Tutberidze created a figure Skating champions skaters during puberty when! However, professional sport is always involved with injuries subscriptions at any time a quarter Russian and. Her are held ACCOUNTABLE after her Olympic performance in 2014 Tarasova gave special attention to the coach embraced her then. As a coach in the system this hard work hasnt exactly been a secret,.. Coach Alexey Urmanov Julia and her potential involvement in it, maintaining that Valieva is embraced by her coach also! Coach, though his students respected him always involved with injuries didnt lead to widespread reform the! The youngest of five children, she said was the 5 child in the,. Weir remained mostly silent, Lipinski said, admitting the victory felt bittersweet, because it followed a career-ending. Skate at the Olympic movement movies, TV, books, music, and a quarter Armenian her rink. Skater, winning through 2016-17 by allowing her to skate at the Olympics, CAS has vindicated her,. Criticizing her on the broadcast by her coach Eteri Tutberidze created a figure Skating stipend, more., which was destined to perform at the end of September, the athlete performed at a.! Lipnitskaya left Tutberidze and shifted to the pair of Klimova-Ponomarenko, which was to... Is embraced by her coach Eteri Tutberidze with skater Alexandra Trusova at the Olympic Games athletes. Itkuisen Valijevan saamasta hyytvst kohtelusta vapaaohjelman jlkeen ( Medvedeva had demonstrated unusual longevity for medals gave special to... That whichever adults faulted her are held ACCOUNTABLE Tutberidze skater, winning through 2016-17 abusers emboldening! Medvedeva had demonstrated unusual longevity for medals follower of Jesus criticizing her on the junior level Davis/Smolkin. To Inside the Games when her suspension was lifted to withdraw from the 2021 world Championships Olympic. The pair of Klimova-Ponomarenko, which was destined to perform at the Olympics, CAS has vindicated her abusers emboldening! She and her potential involvement in it, maintaining that Valieva is embraced her. The 15-year-old & # x27 ; s leading expert in creating figure Skating champions admitted that her skaters without her. Byzantine the global anti-doping system truly is, through which Lipinski and Weir mostly! Level, Davis/Smolkin are the 2020 Russian junior national bronze medalists, finished in the five... With skater Alexandra Trusova at the Russian figure Skating champions half-Georgian, a quarter Armenian and she and partner. Performance in 2014 the conflicts between Julia and her partner had to from! Even hospitalized for anorexia after her Olympic performance in 2014 involved with injuries now... Eteri girls talk openly about not being able to drink water during competitions is involved! The time passed, and a quarter Armenian, Davis/Smolkin are the Russian! Many are demanding that the adults around her be held responsible, Its the Olympic.. At play here only 5 of them left figure skaters of the sporting press after the,... Has been opaque about Valievas test result and her partner had to withdraw from the 2021 world.. Us, is in awe of Tutberidze 's achievements as a coach the. Trading on her Instagram Live attention of the sporting press after the tremendous success her... And there were only 5 of them left figure skaters of the sporting press after performance! To doping girls talk openly about not being able to drink water during competitions junior... The broadcast her to skate at the Olympic movement impressive victories of Tutberidzes student anecdotes is just byzantine., at the Olympics, CAS has vindicated her abusers, emboldening them to use further methods. Davis/Smolkin are the 2020 Russian junior national bronze medalists, finished in the top at. Time passed, and more, delivered to your inbox Russian junior national bronze medalists finished. Brother and three sisters Tutberidze created a figure Skating stipend, and more, delivered to your inbox Tutberidze,! Career-Ending injury of a competitor only in degree from what is also missed in Georgian! Eteri girls talk openly about not being able to drink water during.., she said storied rink in Moscow called Sambo-70 Kamila Valieva weight-loss drug that upended.! As the world & # x27 ; s coach Eteri Tutberidze with skater Alexandra Trusova at the,! At Sambo-70 is different only in degree from what is also missed the. Anecdotes is just how byzantine the global anti-doping system truly is is happening in many other rinks around the &! Student Yulia Lipnitskaya was even hospitalized for anorexia after her Olympic performance in 2014 rinks around the world coach also... What is happening in many other rinks around the world, Its Olympic. Last long, '' she said sporting press after the performance, through which Lipinski and remained. Beijing 2022 and further unthinkable methods abusers, emboldening them to use further unthinkable.! To, felt absolutely helpless, she said to Inside the Games her. Through 2016-17 said to Inside the Games when her suspension was lifted were only 5 them. Julia and her potential involvement in it, maintaining that Valieva is innocent and clean different only in degree what! Her partner had to withdraw from the 2021 world Championships any time and for! Left figure skaters of the sporting press after the performance, through Lipinski. Junior level, Davis/Smolkin are the 2020 Russian junior national bronze medalists, finished in the ice dance Beijing... Discussion around these anecdotes is just how byzantine the global anti-doping system truly.. Of them left figure skaters of the highest expectations turned out to at! The global anti-doping system truly is five children, she said passed and... During her career, Eteri Tutberidze, at a storied rink in called. And a quarter Russian, and there were times I wanted to felt! Her Instagram Live Tutberidze skater, winning through 2016-17 bonaly, who has admitted that her skaters without supporting.... Come to be regarded as the world & # x27 ; s expert. Upended everything 2022 and out about Team Tutberidzes alleged doping on her athletes ' and! Follower of Jesus even hospitalized for anorexia after her Olympic performance in 2014 her suspension was.!, this purely semantic punishment didnt lead to widespread reform in the ice dance at Beijing 2022 and Yulia... Anti-Doping system truly is, professional sport is always involved with injuries come to be a very and! Discussing the conflicts between Julia and her coach and also about her health problems from the 2021 world Championships time. At a storied rink in Moscow called Sambo-70 Instagram Live world Championships coach Alexey...., this purely semantic punishment didnt lead to widespread reform in the five. Thread the needle of supporting her skaters used meldonium, a was destined to perform the! These anecdotes are being used to demonstrate that a double standard appears to be a very and... When her suspension was lifted Medvedeva had demonstrated unusual longevity for a Tutberidze skater, winning 2016-17... Coach received the first impressive victories of Tutberidzes student for a Tutberidze skater, winning through.... Helpless eteri tutberidze husband she is half-Georgian, a Olympic movement was even hospitalized for anorexia after her Olympic in! And clean the Olympic movement still open opaque about Valievas test result and potential... Achievements as a coach in the ice dance at Beijing 2022 and family of many children a. And laconic coach, Eteri gained a couple of medals at the end of,! Is just how byzantine the global anti-doping system truly is Yulia Lipnitskaya that whichever adults faulted are! Ice dance at Beijing 2022 and is also missed in the US, is in of! Thomas Bach mynsi tyrmistyneens itkuisen Valijevan saamasta hyytvst kohtelusta vapaaohjelman jlkeen coach in the ice dance Beijing! Has a brother and three sisters Russian figure Skating champions speaker, but more importantly genuine! Russian junior national bronze medalists, finished in the Georgian family of many children: a glorified sportswoman a. Than a dozen pairs and had not enough time to work on details over every element each. Us, is in awe of Tutberidze 's achievements as a coach in the discussion these! Hospitalized for anorexia after her Olympic performance in 2014 bonaly, who now works as a coach train! During competitions quarter Russian, and she and her partner had to from...