Eteri Tutberidze and the Price of Gold: Are the Costs of Russia’s Figure Skating Program Worth the Results?

By: Maeve Hushman, Staff Writer

Once every four years, the world turns into figure skating fans, and I am definitely among them. Yes, I will admit it, I love figure skating. Since I was little, I have been absolutely obsessed with Olympic figure skating. I would watch, my eyes locked to the screen, as these men and women flew across the ice and launched themselves into the air, all to the backdrop of a carefully curated soundtrack. Like many, I was specifically amazed by the Russian ice skaters. They were always so talented and young, making them relatable to me, a kid, when watching. The Russian women dominated and skated so beautifully that I was immediately captivated. It got to the point where I would actively root for Russia in all figure skating events. Those young and talented Russian women who have ruled the Olympics and world for as long as I can remember were trained by esteemed yet controversial trainer Eteri Tutberidze. 

 Tutberidze has trained a whole fleet of champions, all of them achieving great success at a young age before their careers quickly came to an end. As soon as one figure skater is forced to retire, there is a new younger replacement, even better than the first right behind her. First, Yulia Lipnitskaya won team gold in 2014 at 15 years old; she retired at 19 due to injuries and an eating disorder. Then, there was the last Olympics projected it-girl Evgenia Medvedeva. She was a two-time world champion and a 2018 Olympic silver medalist. She was chronically injured and, at age 22, was no longer able to jump. Last Olympics gold medalist in the women's figure skating competition, Alina Zagitova, won the gold medal at 15 but stopped competing at 17. 

Now there is the most recent group of Eteri trainees, and all three are Olympic front runners: Anna Scherbakova and Alexandra Trusova, aged 17 and the favorite to win gold, 15-year-old Kamila Valieva. Valieva stunned the world with her perfect Olympic debut like her predecessors before her. So what is the Eteri method? Why do the skaters who train with it wash out so quickly? And most importantly, does its short-term results justify the long-term costs? 

Tutberidze has come under fire from fellow coaches and fans alike for disregarding athletes' long-term health in favor of winning awards. These skaters have what is referred to as the Eteri expiration date, meaning that by age 17 or 18, the techniques they are taught become unsustainable, and their injuries catch up with them forcing them to retire. Tutberidze's methods have been revolutionary, they have mainstreamed quad jumps in women's figure skating and created champions, but the techniques and styles taught are not sustainable. The quad jumps earn her students immense success in the short term, but while they win gold at 15, they are physically unable to compete at 20. 

Tutberidze is quoted by Insider magazine as saying, "Girls should learn quads young when they are still light and agile," which is the crux of her strategy. Girls the age of the Eteri trainees have a better strength to weight ratio, allowing them to complete the problematic quad jumps. The harsh training and strict dietary/weight restrictions that Tutberdize places on her students often delay puberty for a while. These dietary restrictions have high negative costs as many former Eteri students have to retire due to complications from eating disorders. As Tutberidze's students age and mature, it takes more to complete the jumps. They push themselves to the physical brink risking severe injury to still compete at the same level, which is why many of Tutberidze's students are forced to retire at such a young age. They are trained to push themselves to the very edge, and then many of them are pushed too far. Medvedeva, a former student of Tutberidze, said that after she started training with a new coach, Canadian Brian Oser, she had to re-learn jumping technique, which shows how faulty the methods are. Medvedeva, at 18, had to learn a new technique because the kind taught to her by Tutberdize was not sustainable as she grew into an adult. Medvedeva returned to Tutberidze because of COVID-19 and eventually had to retire.  

This year's group of Russian skaters are called the "Quad Squad" for their abilities to land a quad jump, the cornerstone jump of Tutberidze's technique. The first woman to ever use a quad jump in competition, Surya Bonaly, supported seeing more women competing with the jump but warned against the long-term costs of quads without the correct technique. Bonaly had to have hip surgery at 25 due to performing these treacherous jumps. She told Insider that "It's good to win medals, but you don't want to be traumatized for the rest of your life." 

Valieva led team ROC to Gold in the team event this year and made history by landing a quad in the Olympics, yet she fell during her routine. Even though the fall did not impact the scoring at all, she appeared devastated. Every one of Tutberidze's students is expected to be infallible and perfect, so even when they make history, a fall can ruin it all for them. Tutberidze puts them in a pressure cooker, and it causes them all to eventually crack under those unrealistic expectations. It shows how much pressure these skaters are under and explains why they often suffer injuries from going too far to stay competitive. 

Valieva was even willing to take performance enhancing drugs. The team medal ceremony was delayed, and it was announced that Valieva had tested positive for the drug trimetazidine, a heart and blood pressure medication which increases blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. It is classified by WADA as a performance-enhancing drug for its ability to increase endurance. The free skate program is difficult because of how long it is. Competitors get a boost in points if they complete a jump later in the program, so having an endurance advantage is very helpful to a figure skater in their programs. Considering that Valieva’s free skate was the one that broke records it is even more heart wrenching as those records may have been broken under false pretenses. 

Even though her skaters' competitive window is so tiny, Tutberidze remains revered in the figure skating world. Why? Because she turned the Russian skating program into the powerhouse it is today. Before Tutberidze, the Russian women did not have the same dominance over the sport of figure skating that they do now. She turned the program into an international force, and that is where the debate comes in. Are long-term injuries and shortened careers worth the wins? 

In the eyes of the country that is bringing home the gold, it is worth the risk to win. The Olympics are political in nature; it is about showing off your country's success, as evidenced in the performance of the athletes your country sends. The Netflix documentary Athlete A focuses on this phenomenon regarding the abusive culture and training of USA gymnastics and the Karolyis. The documentary shows how vicious the Karolyi training program was and how it started back in Romania but was brought to the USA. However, the documentary's most prominent message is that winning often comes before the athletes' well-being every time, especially on the international stage. Could Tutberidze be figuring skating's equivalent of the Kayrolis? Even if her methods are harmful in the long term, it seems unlikely Tutberidze will change or leave the sport. So long as Russia keeps sending their best and brightest to her and winning competitions, it seems doubtful that the Eteri expiration date or method will disappear. 

The cost of winning is often debated, and in the case of Russia's dominant women's figure skating program, it is no different. Eteri Tutberidze has revolutionized figure skating, but that revolution has come at the expense of the longevity of those in her training. Scherbakova, Trusova, and Valieva may sweep the podium, but under Tutberidze's methods, it seems unlikely that they will even still be competing at the next Olympics. Like those before them, they are destined to be replaced by younger, better skaters once again after they are forced into early retirement. 

Exploring the Art in Downtown Denver

By: Labina Tasfia, Staff Writer

On the second day of my college orientation, about 11,000 miles away from home, I found myself on a bike after more than seven years. What was I thinking hopping on a bike, ready to conquer the streets of this new city I knew nothing about? Well, what better way to learn about a new place than cruising through the streets and neighborhoods, letting my senses flood with all the new stimulations. The architecture of the different neighborhoods, the open-air sitting arrangements of numerous local and chain restaurants, the parks, everything was new to me in one sense or the other. What stood out to me the most as I navigated the streets of downtown Denver was the street art. Compared to where I came from, the numerous murals and sculptures were what made downtown Denver so special to me.

Halfway through the bike ride, my brakes had stopped working and I ended up crashing into one of my fellow students. Thankfully we both were fine, but it was an extremely frightful experience. After that, it took me a while to calm down. Even though I was supposed to be observing the neighborhood, I was more focused on trying to stay calm and safe. Then I started to notice the murals drawn on the walls of some of the buildings we passed by. Those beautiful blends of colors had helped calm me down very quickly. Art, of many sorts, had always helped me with my stress and anxiety. So, the beautiful paintings had sparked my curiosity about street art in Denver. 

I wanted to know more about downtown Denver and see all the beautiful art pieces it had to offer, so some of my friends and I decided to go back. We got off near the Denver Center of Performing Arts where we were immediately welcomed by two tall bronze statues of a man and a woman right in front of the opera house. These statues were made by the Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Botero is known for making sculptures of “Fat People”, from an aesthetic point of view. The sculptures were called “The Man” and “The Woman” respectively (Egnor, 2020). The odd and exaggerated design seemed comical. I felt like the entrance of the Center for Performing arts was an appropriate spot for these two whimsical sculptures. To me, they represented the otherworldly beauty, something that is at times a bit hard to understand, of the work of art that people create with their blood, sweat, and tears inside the DCPA.

 As we kept on walking, I had the greatest honor to watch a few Broadway artists rehearse for their performance. Right next to the rehearsal was the 60 feet tall statue of two people dancing. The statue, dubbed as “Dancers” was the first installation in Denver’s Performing arts Sculpture Park. This 25-ton fiberglass duo was created by Jonathan Borofsky and was installed in 2003. The giant sculptures made me think of two people in an eternal waltz. Just like the sculptures of the Man and the Woman, this piece of art also portrayed the abstract beauty of the Art Center. I did not expect them to be that enormous, but they were also very simple, with no facial features or clothes. It was just two entities dancing, and it was hauntingly breathtaking.

 Walking towards the Colorado Convention Center, I received my biggest scare as I came face to face with a giant blue bear. It was peering into the convention center as if it was curious to see what was going on inside. After quick research, I found that it was called “I See What You Mean”. It was erected in 2005 by Lawrence Argent. The bear reached a height of almost 40 feet with a weight of almost 10,000 pounds. The bear was created by Argent to convey the curiosity pedestrians felt when they passed by the Convention Center to see what was going on inside. I felt like Lawrence Argent did a wonderful job conveying the curiosity I, along with probably everyone else, felt as we stood in front of the center. The spotlights shining on the bear from below made it seem like it was glowing from the inside, which was an astounding sight to behold.

We also went to Larimer Street, which I had heard was famous for its street art. I was beyond amazed by the numerous works of art that adorned the streets. Being a person who loved to play with paints, seeing so many bold uses of color filled me with indescribable joy. My most favorite art piece was the double-sided mural called “Two Halves of a Whole” by Jeremy Burns. It was my favorite not only because I was awestruck by how two different perspectives showed us two completely different paintings, nor because it showed us that men and women weren’t different but the same. It was because of the effort and dedication that was put into the art. Jeremy Burns was involved in a terrible accident that severely damaged his right shoulder and elbow. Even after losing fine motor control, he had decided to paint this mural, which had earned him my respect. 

In my country, street art is illegal. That is why I never had the chance to observe artists portray their thoughts and emotions so candidly in public before. After coming to Denver, I had the utmost pleasure to fill my soul with the plethora of murals and sculptures. It was not only the way the paints were used or how the art came to life, but it was also about how each of them had a piece of the artist’s soul in them, and sometimes the voices of numerous people who didn’t have the chance to speak up. It is an honor for me to be able to live in and study in such a vibrant city like Denver, where there’s art and life in everything my eyes land on. I cannot wait to explore more of this beautiful city that I have come to call home. 

The Shadow of Sport: Human Rights Abuses and the Olympics

By: Maeve Hushman, Staff Writer

The Winter Olympics are being hosted in Beijing, China. As a huge hockey fan, I could not be more excited for the Winter Olympics. Not only is my favorite sport being played around the clock by both men and women, but it is also the one time I take the time to watch sports like snowboarding, skiing, bobsled, and my all time favorite only-during-the-Winter-Olympics watch, figure skating. Ever since I was little, the Olympics have been a special occasion. However, there is a dark shadow cast over these Olympic games, that is the shadow of the horrific human rights abuses happening to the Uyghurs at the hands of the Chinese government. 

The Uyghurs are an ethnic and religious minority who live in northwest China in the province of Xinjiang. Uyghurs are mostly Muslims, who speak their own language and have their own distinct culture. 12 million of them live in an area known as the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) without incident until the recent incursion of the Chinese government. They increased surveillance, put limits on religious services and other such totalitarian measures. These have been direct efforts to limit and suppress Uyghur culture and religion. The Chinese government has been taking Uyghurs to “re-education” camps and reportedly sterilizing Uyghur women. China claims this is a crack down to prevent “religious extremism” but what they are actually doing is committing what many consider to be a genocide. 

The Olympics casts a large spotlight onto any host country and China is no different. Many countries, like the USA and Canada, have opted for diplomatic boycotts, refusing to send any government officials to the games. However, they are still sending athletes and because of that, it also means huge media companies and corporate sponsors. All of them are pouring money into these events which rest on the bodies of the Uyghur people. In the opening ceremony, China showed a skit of what was supposed to depict all of their ethnic groups getting along, which is a textbook example of propaganda. They also had a Uyghur athlete light the torch. This athlete has since been hidden from the media. This Olympics is about selling China to the world in a positive light and part of that means pushing aside the egregious human rights abuses. 

So how do we reckon with our love of sport and of the Olympics with the reality behind them? It is difficult. Even if you decide to boycott the Olympics by not watching or reading coverage, you are still bombarded by ads talking about the Olympic dream and seeing companies still endorsing athletes and the games. You could boycott the corporate sponsors, but how do you boycott certain companies when they aren’t products you even buy to begin with? It is extremely difficult to take action against, which is why the reckoning process shouldn’t be one size fits all. If you think that boycotting the games by not watching them is the best option, then don’t watch. If you think that boycotting the sponsors is the best move, boycott the sponsors. I agreed to cover the Olympics for both the Highlander and my internship, but I try my best as I watch the sports I have to (aka hockey) and  remember what the backdrop of this event is. The Olympics shouldn’t be happening in Beijing and that the Uyghurs shouldn’t be having to suffer under massive injustice.  

So will I still watch and write about the Olympics? Yes , but I will also carefully examine the narratives being pushed and be aware of how my covering the Olympics could fuel the fire already present in the international quagmire right now. It is important to reckon with how politics and issues of justice impact sports and vice versa. China violating all sorts of international human rights makes it difficult to watch the biggest athletic event of the year. So, watch the Olympics if you want to but do not let the truth about what is happening to the Uyghur community be forgotten or covered up. Call out injustice when you see it.

Boba Spotlight: Colorado Tea Station

By: Sandra Vo, Staff Writer

Nestled just on the border of Denver’s bustling downtown district, Colorado Tea Station is the first pick for our Boba Spotlight and for obvious reasons. More than just a boba shop, Colorado Tea Station serves everything from takoyaki (Japanese octopus), instant ramen, and bingsu (Korean shaved ice) to mochi donuts and cake slices. Their menu truly lives to serve any type of craving you might have.

Overwhelmed by the sheer variety? Don’t worry! Their staff is always incredibly friendly and helpful, and service is quick even during rush hours. While waiting for your drinks and food, you can admire the Instagram-worthy interior and the zither they have on display in the drinking area. Their Korean music playlist is nothing to sneeze at either. 

Of course, this doesn’t mean that their boba is anything to sleep on. Having been there a couple times now, my experience has been consistently wonderful. The boba is chewy and soft, and you really can’t go wrong with any drink that you decide to pair it with. Colorado Tea Station also offers a variety of different toppings if you’re not particularly fond of the classic tapioca boba. They have a wide selection of jellies to add to your drink including lychee, mocha, and crystal jelly, and anybody feeling more adventurous can try out their taro and sweet potato balls. 

For their drinks, they offer the classic milk teas and fruit teas, but also some non-caffeinated choices for anybody who likes their boba late at night. As a person who prefers non-caffeinated drinks, I’ve gotten their strawberry milk slush and peach yogurt drinks, both topped with boba and incredibly tasty. Not a fan of cold drinks? They also offer a wide selection of hot traditional Chinese brewed teas such as jasmine and rose oolong. 

Their desserts are equally tasty and appetizing. My friends have boasted of their chocolate cakes and mochi donuts. Having tried their mango snow ice myself, I can’t say I’m surprised. Colorado Tea Station strives to only put out the best of the best, and they deliver on that promise. 

For our overall Boba Spotlight rating, this place deserves a 10/10. 

Photo Credit: Sandra Vo, Strawberry Milk Slush with Pudding and Boba

Photo Credit: Sandra Vo, Peach Yogurt Drink with Boba

Active Minds: An Innovative Mental Health Solution for College Campuses

By: Madelynn Loring, Staff Writer

As we approach the two year anniversary of the first national COVID-19 lock down, it is critical to acknowledge the effect the ongoing pandemic has had on our health, both physically and mentally. While we may know the worst we will face with the physical aspect of the virus, the impact of long stretches and anxieties on our mental health is not yet fully known, though we are certainly feeling the effect. According to the US Census Bureau, reports of depression and anxiety symptoms have increased by over 300% since pre-pandemic times and mental health care units, much like the rest of the healthcare industry, are becoming overwhelmed Even the counseling office of Regis’s OCPD is experiencing an influx of students seeking therapy, resulting in weeks-long wait lists to see a practitioner. 

To address this on campus, a new but familiar group has formed called Active Minds. Active Minds is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing mental health resources and education to students on college campuses. Regis has had an Active Minds chapter in the past, but it was dissolved in 2019. But, in the face of great community need, it has been revived to provide further support to Rangers. When asked about what inspired him to restart Active Minds, president Cooper Pahl answered, “Honestly, because I think it is needed. [The] main goal is to decrease mental health stigma and create a place where self-worth and healing is prioritized, and not just in classrooms but all across campus.” Active Minds provides training for stepping into mental health crises as well as local and national mental health resources. 

Currently, Active Minds is working alongside VAVP, the OCPD, RAs, and other community groups to put on events such as panels on eating disorders and other mental health conditions, self care goody bags, and Lofi Bob Ross event including an evening of de-stressing activities like art. To find more information about these events, visit Active Minds @activeminds_regis on Instagram. Furthermore, if you are interested in getting involved in the work of Active Minds, please reach out to Cooper Pahl at cpahl@regis.edu.

If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, please contact Colorado Crisis Services at 844-493-8255.