By Maia Zasler
October
“Government,” “war,” “authoritarianism,” and “nationalism” are all terms with which you are likely familiar. “Axel,” “lutz,” “pairs performance,” and “spiral” probably evoke less of a confident visual. But what if I asserted that these jargon are intrinsically connected? Figure skating blends the intensity of sport and athletic training and the gracefulness and personal expression of the most enchanting art forms with the fascinating and complex realm of global politics.
The first account of organized figure skating dates back to 1772 with Englishman Robert Jones’ A Treatise on Skating. Skating has significantly evolved since Jones outlined initial, rudimentary patterns and practical advice in his instructive handbook. Investment in and commitment to skating athletic achievement has also evolved.
Figure skating plays a particularly important role in quotidian and political life in Russia. After 1864–when Czar Peter the Great introduced figure skating to Russians–figure skating became an emblem of national unity and a source of immense pride. Throughout the 20th century, skating represented an outlet for domination on a global scale; the Soviet skaters made up arguably the most competitive force at the international level.
Skating was publicly funded in Soviet states and remains so in present-day Russia. From a young age, children were (and are) selected for a rigorous track involving intense physical training, dieting, and mental strain, culminating in a brief window of time where they actually compete—and frequently win. In the Soviet Union, children were often separated from their families, moved to distant cities to train with specific coaches or with an assigned pairs partner. In every case, they had to commit to 10 hours of training at the ice rink, six days a week. Additionally, there are documented cases of emotional and physical abuse, especially in pairs skating. Female skaters often have to adhere to strict dietary regimes to suppress hormonal development and weight gain. There has long been a history of sacrifice in the sport: sacrifice for the sake of athletic success during performance, but primarily for the sake of “Mother Russia.”
Between 1964 and 1991, Soviet skaters won seven consecutive Olympic gold medals and 24 of the 26 World Figure Skating Championship events in pairs skating; Ukraine was the primary exporter of illustrious and talented pairs of skaters. Historically, the USSR relied on Ukraine for agricultural production, storage of nuclear arsenals, and a constantly developing defense sector. Thus, Ukraine has served as the cornerstone of the Soviet Union in more ways than one.
The Soviet collapse occurred in December of 1991. Ukraine’s declaration of independence earlier that same year is often interpreted as the inception of Russia's impending demise. Funds for figure skaters dwindled. Throughout the following years, Russian skaters brought home fewer and fewer medals, and sought-after coaches took their expertise abroad.
The shrinking of their skating world reflected Russia’s geopolitical position at the end of the 20th century. In both contexts, Russians were left grasping for prestige and pride that once shaped their national identity. There was a general anxiety over losing a spot on the international stage and an absence of answers on how to reclaim it.
Enter Ukraine (again). Ukraine has increasingly aligned itself with the European Union and Western nations in the last three decades. After the 2014 annexation of Crimea, Ukraine became a battleground in defense of its right to position itself apart from Russia. More recently, Ukrainians have had to take up arms again to fend off Russian aggression since February 24, 2022. They have had to persevere through Russian leader Putin’s threats of nuclear weapon use. Further, there have been upwards of 21,900 Ukrainian civilian casualties, severe infrastructure damage, and insurmountable trauma to the Ukrainian people.
To some extent, through its aggressive military operation, Russia aims to impose its authority to prove to the rest of the world–and to itself–that the nation remains just as strong as it was before the Soviet Union collapsed. This mentality is mirrored by the pressure levied onto Russian figure skaters and their stature in Russian society.
Take the case of Kamila Valieva, an immensely talented skater whose artistic and athletic legacy was tainted by the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics doping scandal. At just 15 years old, Valieva dominated the team event, representing the Russian Olympic Committee. She became the first woman to land a quad jump–rotating four times in the air before landing on a singular blade at an Olympic competition. But, before the women’s individual competition events, it came to light that Valieva had tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug: trimetazidine. Since she was a minor, she was allowed to compete in the women’s individual event. Although her short program was flawless, her free skate was riddled with falls, leaving her with a fourth-place finish. The International Olympic Committee announced they would not have hosted a medal ceremony if Valieva had finished among the top three.
Amidst and following the scandal, Russian officials claimed that the illegal drug use accusation was a “Western conspiracy” and political issue in which Russia was the victim. Behind the scenes, Valieva’s coach, Eteri Tutberidze, scorned her: “Why did you let it go? Why did you stop fighting?” Once back home, Tutberidze received Russia’s most prestigious coaching award from none other than Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Valieva had a press photoshoot with him.
How can we make sense of this? Russian figure skaters are forced to sacrifice a traditional childhood and healthy relationships (with people, food, and their bodies). They are subject to public scrutiny and private criticism from their coaches. They are scapegoats for paranoia surrounding the West. But, at the same time, they are celebrities. They are recognized across the country as national heroes, associated with the cult of personality that Putin has curated since he first took office in 2000. They are perceived as beacons of hope to propel Russia back to its position pre-Soviet collapse.
Figure skating is an integral part of Russian culture and identity. It is the amalgamation of Russian persistence in sacrifice, the current government’s propensity to reject all things Western, and above all, the pathway to repairing the fragmented prestige of years past. American media personality Ted Turner said that “sport is like a war without the killing.” In the case of the war in Ukraine, sport may be a second military front and a valuable insight into Russia’s behavior.