“I don’t say goodbye, but say“ see you soon ”: Olympic champion Stolbova announced her retirement

“I do not exclude that Ksenia may resume her career”

Olympic champion Ksenia Stolbova announced her retirement. According to her, she “filled out all the necessary documents” in the Russian Figure Skating Federation. The athlete also asked to withdraw her from the national team.

“I want to thank all my mentors and people who have helped me throughout my sports career, the Russian Figure Skating Federation, my family and friends, and, of course, fans all over the world. I don’t say goodbye to you, but say “see you soon,” the official website of the FFKKR quotes Stolbov.

A little later, the athlete herself turned to fans in social networks. She emphasized that her decision was in no way connected with competition in the national team, and also “was not related to the scandals surrounding Russian sports.”

“Thanks to the audience for their love and support. Thanks even to those who did not like, criticized and condemned - your words made me move forward and work on myself with tripled strength. Today I am on the verge of a new life, but I close the last page with a light heart and a sense of pride - I did everything I could, ”wrote Stolbova on Instagram.

View this Instagram post

Friends, colleagues, figure skating fans! I appeal to you about my decision to end my career in big sport in order to answer everyone at once. In life there are circumstances that are stronger than your desires and capabilities. Contrary to rumors, my decision to leave the sport is in no way connected with competition in the national team. On the contrary, I believe that new champions and new names are the guarantee that our pair skating is in good hands. And even more so, my departure is not related to scandals around national sports. People often ask why I came back 2 years ago. You know, I do not regret it at all! On the contrary, I am happy that I had this experience, that I went this way, began to work differently and ride in a new way, met so many interesting people, felt warm support and participation in my destiny. Looking back at my life in figure skating today, I say thank you to everyone. Thanks to the coaches and all the specialists who educated in me not only the athlete, but also the personality, they invested in me all the best that they could give. Thanks to my partners for sharing defeats and victories with me. A low bow to my family and friends, on which I could always lean on in the most difficult moments. Thanks to the audience for their love and support. Thanks even to those who did not like, criticized and condemned - your words made me move forward and work on myself with tripled strength. Today I am on the verge of a new life, but I close the last page with a light heart and a sense of pride - I did everything I could. All good and peace. Your Ksenia Stolbova. ♥ ️

Publication by XENIASTOLBOVA (@kseniastolbova) Feb 12, 2020 @ 8:08 am PST

In turn, the president of the national federation, Alexander Gorshkov, admitted that he was saddened by such a decision on the part of the 28-year-old skater, and emphasized that he would not be surprised at her return to the ice.

“It is a pity that such a talented athlete, who was able to achieve a lot, ended her career. But while it’s better to wait, let's see how events will develop further. I do not exclude the possibility that Ksenia may resume her career, let's see. She herself must decide what she will do next. Is the federation ready to offer her any position? If Stolbova suddenly wants to cooperate with us, then we will talk, we are in touch, ”the TASS functionary quotes.

Gorshkov also emphasized that Stolbova could well compete further, and not hang skates on a nail.

“Ksenia has many successes, she won two Olympic awards. And it’s a pity, of course, that she completed her career, she’s a wonderful partner, we thought that Stolbova could ride on and compete, but she made a different decision, ”added the president of the FFKKR.

And Nina Moser, who worked with Stolbova for a long time, as well as her long-term partner Fedor Klimov, wished the former athlete success in her future life.

“I still have many good memories of the time when he and Fedor won medals in a fair fight. They are talented and creative people, and then they were also very successful. I wish Ksenia success in the further affairs of her life, ”Moser quoted R-Sport as saying.

Break with Klimov and unsuccessful return with Novoselov

However, judging by the latest news, this season everything pushed Stolbov precisely to such a step. In 2018, after breaking off cooperation with Klimov, Ksenia paired up with Andrei Novosyolov, began working with coach Nikolai Morozov and moved to Perm for her new partner.

In early August of last year, an athlete who had previously played for France, finally received permission to re-represent Russia at international competitions. In September, the couple performed at the test rentals in Moscow, after which they again disappeared from the field of view of the fans.

As a result, their debut took place at the Grand Prix stage in Moscow. In the short program, Stolbova and Novosyolov took a high third place and gave fans a reason for optimism, but in the free program they looked much worse. So, the partner tore off both hopping elements, and the partner fell from the ejection. All this did not allow the duet to rise above the final fifth place.

The next performance of the couple was scheduled for early December in Zagreb, where the Challenge series tournament was held, but the Russians did not go to it. They also starred in the Russian Championship in Krasnoyarsk due to Novoselov’s injury. According to Gorshkov, Andrei "struck his leg in training." More skaters never appeared on the ice.

Stolbova achieved her main successes in her career together with Klimov. The duet was formed in 2009 and after a few years became one of the strongest in the world. The apotheosis for the Russians was the performance at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, where they took gold in the team tournament and silver in the competition of couples. And a month later, the duet became the second at the world championship in Saitama. Also, Stolbova and Klimov won the European Championship medals four times and won the Russian championship three times.

Athletes intended to end their career after the 2018 Olympic Games, but could not go to South Korea, since Ksenia did not receive special permission from the IOC.

In addition, on the eve of the World Cup in Milan, the athlete received a ligament break in her leg. So, the couple prematurely completed the season. Moreover, in March Klimov noted that they, together with Stolbova, decided to perform “at least next season”. But already in the fall it became known about the collapse of the couple and the completion of Fedor’s career. His former partner tried to stay in sports, but after a year and a half she also hung skates on a nail.

“For me, she finished back in 2018”

However, the experts' step Pillar did not cause much surprise. For example, Maxim Trankov, who, together with Tatyana Volosozhar ahead of Ksenia and Klimova in the fight for the gold tournament greenhouses at the Olympic Games in Sochi, said that she could end her career two years ago.

“For me, she left the sport back in 2018, when she stopped performing together with Fedor Klimov and started looking for a new partner. It was already clear to me then that in sport we would not see her again. Initially, I did not take the adventure with Novosyolov seriously, as such, there was no return to the sport. I don’t think that participation in some competitions can be called a full-fledged return, ”Trankov said in an interview with RT.

Agreed with him and Olympic champion Alexei Urmanov.

“This is perhaps the solution that is brewing. It is difficult to comment on him, because a lot of water has already flowed since she stepped up with Novosyolov. But, I think, it was strange for many experts to watch what was happening from the side. For example, there was information that they got used to new shoes. Personally, I suspended my career only because of an injury - this was a serious argument, ”Urmanov said.

The Olympic champion also recalled that few greenhouses manage to show high results after a change of partner.

“Arthur Dmitriev succeeded; one can also recall Alena Savchenko. When she broke up with Robin Sholkova, few believed that she would succeed. But Alena, as it turned out, took an adequate and right step. She understood her task, moved towards her and eventually took Olympic gold from Bruno Masso, ”added Urmanov.