SUMMARY
- Petrosian achieved her highest career score in just her second senior level competition since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine
- Coach Eteri Tutberidze, previously scrutinized for Kamila Valieva’s doping scandal, was present at Petrosian’s practice though not officially listed
- Experts caution that any potential medal could reignite debates about fairness and doping oversight in figure skating
Milan, Italy — Russian figure skater Adeliia Petrosian, 18, emerged as a medal contender at the Winter Olympics on Tuesday, raising questions about the ongoing influence of her coach, Eteri Tutberidze, whose past controversies have cast a shadow over the sport.
Petrosian scored a career best 72.89 in the women’s short program, despite competing as a neutral athlete amid Russia’s post-2022 Olympic restrictions.
Petrosian’s rapid rise places her in the international spotlight, not only for athletic performance but also for the scrutiny surrounding Tutberidze, who coached Valieva during the 2022 Beijing Olympics doping controversy.
Her presence at Petrosian’s session has drawn attention from media and anti-doping authorities, despite no known violations by Petrosian.
Tutberidze has guided multiple Russian women to Olympic gold medals. Valieva’s 2022 positive drug test led to the stripping of the Russian Olympic Committee team’s gold medal and a four year ban for the skater.
WADA never sanctioned Tutberidze. Petrosian trains in the same Moscow facility and shares a coaching and choreographic team similar to Valieva’s setup.
Adam Rippon, former Olympic bronze medalist, told The Athletic “None of us have any idea how she will do, and she doesn’t have any idea either. But if she does win, it will affect the sport’s perception.”
WADA President Witold Banka said Tutberidze’s presence carries no legal consequence “An investigation found no evidence that this particular person engaged in a doping process so there is no legal basis to exclude her.”
Petrosian’s training partner, Ivan Shmelyov, said: “She is focused and calm, showing maturity beyond her years.”
Italian Olympic committee member Luca Moretti noted “The optics are sensitive, but rules are clear no coach ban exists here.”
Petrosian’s performance may influence medal outcomes and future scrutiny of coaching practices in women’s figure skating.
Monitoring WADA and IOC decisions could shape policy for athlete oversight at international events.
Adeliia Petrosian’s emergence underscores a balance between athletic achievement and regulatory vigilance. Her trajectory may set precedents for coaching accountability and athlete representation in Olympic figure skating.
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