Armenian Skater Adeliia Petrosian Navigates Olympic Controversy

MILAN (Azat TV) – Armenian figure skater Adeliia Petrosian, competing as a neutral athlete, is currently making headlines at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, navigating a complex landscape of geopolitical tensions and athletic controversy. The 18-year-old, recognized for her groundbreaking quadruple loop jumps, is a strong medal contender, but her presence has reignited debates surrounding the participation of neutral athletes and the controversial presence of her coach, Eteri Tutberidze, on the sidelines.

Petrosian, a three-time national champion, entered Thursday’s decisive free skate lying fifth after a clean short program earlier this week. Her ability to execute challenging quadruple jumps, a rarity in women’s figure skating, positions her as a formidable competitor who could significantly impact the medal standings at the Assago Forum.

Adeliia Petrosian’s Olympic Journey as a Neutral Athlete

Adeliia Petrosian is competing under the designation ‘AIN,’ which stands for ‘Athletes Individuels Neutres,’ a French acronym for Individual Neutral Athletes. This status is exclusively granted to a limited number of Russian and Belarusian athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics, following the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) ban on their national teams due to Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine. The ban, which began in 2022, prohibits Russian and Belarusian flags, anthems, and national team participation.

Petrosian was among 13 Russian athletes approved to compete as AINs, having undergone a strict vetting process to ensure no support for the invasion of Ukraine. Her journey to Milan was unique, as she had competed in only one senior-level international event outside Russia—a qualifying event in Beijing that secured her Olympic spot. Despite this limited international exposure, her technical skill, including her trademark triple axel and quadruple jump capabilities, has made her a compelling figure at these Games, with The New York Times noting her relative international obscurity prior to Milan.

The Shadow of Coach Eteri Tutberidze

Adding another layer of intrigue to Petrosian’s Olympic debut is the controversial presence of her long-time coach, Eteri Tutberidze. Tutberidze, a highly successful but divisive figure in figure skating, is officially accredited at the Milan Games as part of the Georgian delegation, coaching men’s skater Nika Egadze. However, she has been observed coaching Petrosian during practice sessions, raising questions about the spirit of the ‘neutral athlete’ designation, as reported by Town & Country Magazine.

Tutberidze’s reputation is closely tied to the doping scandal involving Kamila Valieva at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where Valieva, then 15, failed a drug test. While Tutberidze was not found guilty in that case, her continued presence and influence over neutral athletes like Petrosian have stretched the credibility of the IOC’s strict conditions for AIN participation, according to AOL Sports. Petrosian’s official coach at the Olympics is Daniil Gleikhengauz, often referred to as ‘Eteri’s shadow’ by skating insiders, further highlighting the indirect but potent influence of Tutberidze.

Technical Prowess and Medal Hopes

Adeliia Petrosian stands out for her exceptional technical abilities, which could be a decisive factor in the women’s figure skating competition. She holds the distinction of being the first woman to land a quadruple loop in competition and the first skater, male or female, to perform two quadruple loops in a free skate. These advanced elements provide her with a significant scoring advantage over many of her rivals.

Following her short program, Petrosian expressed satisfaction, stating, “I am very happy with my skate. At first I was worried — not about my skate, but about my emotional state. This was the most important start of my life.” She noted the warm and loud audience support, hoping her calm demeanor would carry into her free skate. With tight margins separating the top competitors, her ability to execute her signature quadruple jumps could propel her onto the podium, potentially adding to the single silver medal already secured by an AIN athlete at these Games, as noted by NorthJersey.com.

Adeliia Petrosian’s participation at the Milan Cortina Olympics encapsulates the complex intersection of athletic achievement, international politics, and ethical scrutiny, as her pursuit of a medal unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing debates about fairness and neutrality in global sports.