Article

Abstract

In February, I sat riveted as the Russian women’s singles figure skating team imploded during the final free skate at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. I witnessed the despair of the gold medal favorite, Kamila Valieva, as her dreams evaporated in repeated (and highly uncharacteristic) falls. I was fascinated by the anger and frustration of the silver medalist, Aleksandra Trusova, who seemed angrier at losing the gold than happy about her own success at making the podium. I felt the insecurity and vulnerability of the gold medal winner and Olympic champion, Anna Shcherbakova, as she clutched her stuffed animal, alone in the kiss and cry area, her coaches preoccupied with her teammates’ breakdown and tirade. All three Russians’ performances were shadowed by positive drug tests and palpably abusive coaching. A week later, as Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, the drama of the Olympic figure skating final appeared as another…