Adeliia Petrosian’s Olympic journey in Milan is already making waves, and not just for her technical prowess on the ice. The 18-year-old figure skater, competing under the “AIN” (Individual Neutral Athlete) designation, delivered a career-best score of 72.89 in the women’s short program at the 2026 Winter Olympics on February 17. Her Michael Jackson-themed routine—full of charisma and clean lines—earned her a standing ovation and the admiration of figure skating fans around the globe.
But the story swirling around Petrosian isn’t just about points and pirouettes. It’s about the complex web of politics, controversy, and legacy that shadows her every move. As one of 13 Russian athletes permitted to compete as neutrals due to her country’s ban following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Petrosian is skating not just for medals, but for something more elusive: legitimacy and acceptance in a sport still reeling from recent scandals.
Petrosian’s fifth-place finish in the short program—just under six points behind leader Ami Nakai of Japan—has put her firmly in medal contention ahead of Thursday’s free skate. Her technical arsenal, which includes quadruple jumps that no other woman in the competition regularly attempts, could prove decisive in the final standings. "So far I'm not feeling any strong external pressure. Let's see what happens in the free skate," Petrosian said after her performance, reflecting a calm that belies the stormy context surrounding her appearance.
The context, of course, is impossible to ignore. Petrosian is coached by Eteri Tutberidze, a name that conjures both awe and controversy in the figure skating world. Tutberidze’s coaching legacy is as glittering as it is contentious, having guided the last three Olympic women’s singles champions. But her reputation took a hit during the 2022 Beijing Olympics, when her then-protégé Kamila Valieva became embroiled in a doping scandal that led to the Russian Olympic Committee being stripped of its gold medal and Valieva receiving a four-year ban.
Though Tutberidze was never sanctioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), her presence in Milan has raised eyebrows. She is not officially accredited as Petrosian’s coach at these Games, instead appearing on the roster for a male skater from Georgia. Nevertheless, Tutberidze was seen in the Milan practice hall with Petrosian and was spotted watching her short program on a screen in the arena. WADA President Witold Banka commented earlier this month, “An investigation found no evidence that this particular person engaged in a doping process so there is no legal basis to exclude her from the Olympic Games. But, of course, if you ask my personal feeling, I don’t feel comfortable with her presence here at the Olympic Games.”
Petrosian’s ties to Tutberidze—and by extension, to the Sambo 70 club in Moscow that produced both Valieva and a string of other champions—have made her a lightning rod for debate. Yet, as the packed Assago Arena erupted in cheers during her performance, Petrosian seemed to transcend the controversy, if only for a moment. “I am very happy with my skate. This was the most important skate of my life,” she said, her relief and pride shining through.
Her journey to Milan has been anything but ordinary. Petrosian is a three-time Russian national champion, but prior to these Games, she had only competed internationally once at the senior level, winning the Skate to Milano event in China in 2025. Her selection for the Olympics came after a rigorous vetting process by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which screens athletes for any public support of Russia’s war in Ukraine or ties to the military. Only those who pass this scrutiny are allowed to compete as AIN—without flags, anthems, or national colors. “The audience really accepted me well,” Petrosian said. “Each time that I think it’ll be a little less loud, the spectators always somehow shout more, greet me more warmly. And I can’t be unhappy with that.”
The AIN designation is a direct result of Russia and Belarus being barred from the 2026 Winter Olympics due to violations of the Olympic truce. The truce, a tradition dating back to ancient times, calls for a cessation of hostilities to allow athletes to compete in peace. For Petrosian and the other 12 Russian and 7 Belarusian athletes competing as neutrals, this means no national symbols, no anthems, and no overt recognition of their home countries. The stakes are high, and the scrutiny is relentless.
Petrosian’s performance was notable not only for its technical merit but also for its strategic restraint. Although she is known for her ability to execute quadruple jumps—a rarity in women’s figure skating—she opted for a more conservative program in the short, forgoing the high-risk elements in favor of stability. “We considered a triple axel for the short program but decided on a safer double for the sake of my preparation and my form,” she explained. That decision could pay dividends in the free skate, where quadruple jumps are permitted and could vault her onto the podium.
The shadow of the Valieva scandal still looms large over the sport. Then-IOC President Thomas Bach was openly critical of Tutberidze and her entourage in 2022, describing their treatment of a distraught Valieva as showing “tremendous coldness.” The events in Beijing have cast a long shadow, and many observers are watching closely to see how the figure skating establishment handles any further controversy. “It’s kind of sad to think about that, if she does win a medal, how that will reflect on the sport,” former Olympic bronze medalist Adam Rippon told The Athletic.
Yet for all the controversy, Petrosian’s story is also one of resilience and hope. In a rare interview earlier this year, she spoke candidly about her childhood dreams, her love for her Yorkshire terrier Almochka, and her unexpected rise to the elite ranks of figure skating. Her nickname, “Miss Mystery,” seems apt for an athlete whose future—and whose impact on her sport—remains uncertain.
As the women’s free skate approaches, all eyes will be on Petrosian. Will she attempt the quads that could propel her to Olympic glory? Can she withstand the pressure and scrutiny that come with her unique position? For now, one thing is clear: Adeliia Petrosian has already captured the world’s attention, skating at the intersection of athletic brilliance and geopolitical drama. The outcome remains undecided, but the story is far from over.