OLYMPICS: Figure Skating-Moscow-born Petrosian misses podium after falling on quad jump

MILAN – Adeliia Petrosian, competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete (AIN) at the Milano-Cortina Games, missed the podium in the women’s figure skating event after a fall during her quad jump on Thursday. The element, which only she attempted, dashed her hopes despite an impressive performance earlier in the competition.

Petrosian, 18, who competes under restrictions imposed on Russian athletes following Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, arrived in Milan as a relative unknown. Russian skaters are barred from international competitions, limiting her exposure outside her home country.

She captured attention on Tuesday with a lively short program set to a medley of Michael Jackson songs, earning 72.89 points and placing her fifth, just behind established medal contenders.

In the free skate, performed to Astor Piazzolla’s tango Yo Soy Maria, Petrosian scored 141.64 points, bringing her total to 214.53 and placing her sixth. She trailed American champion Alysa Liu by more than 12 points.

A visibly disappointed Petrosian exited the rink with a stony expression. “I feel a bit ashamed in front of myself, the Federation, the coaches, and the spectators that things turned out this way,” she told Russian media, her eyes glistening. “I understand that it’s my own fault. That’s probably the hardest part.”

Petrosian earned her Olympic spot by winning a qualifying event in Beijing last September, her only senior international competition outside Russia before arriving in Milan.

The young skater has drawn attention for her coaching team, which includes Eteri Tutberidze, whose skaters are known for their technical prowess. Tutberidze’s influence has been widely discussed since her former student, Kamila Valieva, was involved in a doping controversy at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. Tutberidze, accredited through the Georgian federation for this Games, was not rinkside during Petrosian’s performance, as IOC rules bar Russian support personnel from official roles with AIN athletes.

Petrosian admitted regret over a post-New Year injury and said she felt she “didn’t have a choice” in attempting the quad toeloop, which ultimately caused her fall.

Celebrated Russian coach and choreographer Tatyana Tarasova defended the attempt, telling TASS: “When you have a quad toeloop, how can you not include it? Nobody lands complex jumps 10 times out of 10. She just didn’t get the height. It’s very unfortunate, and it shook her a little, because she didn’t carry on with the right outlook.”

Despite missing the podium, Petrosian’s performances in Milan have showcased her potential and resilience, signaling a promising future on the world stage.

-Reporting by Valentina Za and Elvira Pollina; Editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters