Meet the Russian Stars Set to Shine at the 2026 Winter Olympics: 50 Photos of New Sports Icons
Russian Athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics: New Stars of Sports
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will take place from February 6 to 22 in Italy, with Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo hosting the events. These Games will be among the most challenging and symbolic for Russian athletes, as they return to the world’s main sports arena after several years of suspension and uncertainty, albeit in a neutral status.
Russian Athletes at the Winter Olympics 2026
Despite strict restrictions and a multi-stage selection process, it is already known that seven Russian athletes have earned the right to participate in the 2026 Olympics. Among them are representatives of figure skating, cross-country skiing, speed skating, and ski mountaineering. Each of them has undergone a difficult journey, proving their right to compete for Olympic medals.
Figure Skating: A Traditional Strength
Figure skating traditionally remains one of the strongest and most popular sports in Russia. The anticipation of returning to the international arena has been particularly intense here. The International Skating Union has allowed Russian figure skaters to participate in the Olympic Games in a neutral status—without a flag and anthem, but with the right to compete on equal terms with others.
Adeilia Petrosian: A Rising Star
Adeilia Petrosian was born on June 5, 2007, in Moscow. Today, she is confidently called one of the main stars of world women’s single skating—and this is no exaggeration. A two-time Russian champion, winner of the Grand Prix finals, and an athlete whose name is directly associated with ultra-c elements.
Petrosian started figure skating at the age of four—her parents took her to the rink, and, according to her own memories, her love for ice arose instantly. She took her first steps in the “Moscow” school, where she received a solid technical foundation and mastered complex jumps. Even then, coaches noted her rare work ethic and ability to progress quickly.
The turning point came in 2019 when Adeilia moved to Eteri Tutberidze’s group. The adaptation was not easy: the frenetic pace of training, high competition, and strict preparation system required maximum concentration. However, it was here that Petrosian made a qualitative leap in her development and quickly became one of the leading athletes in the country.
At the junior level, Adeilia made a name for herself with victories at the Grand Prix stages and silver at the Russian Championship. In 2021, she made history in women’s skating by performing two clean quadruple Rittbergers in one program. Despite the competition from recognized leaders of the national team, Petrosian confidently established herself in the elite. At the same time, Adeilia herself has repeatedly emphasized that she does not consider herself an unconditional leader and continues to work on each skate as a new challenge.
In September 2025, Petrosian won a key victory in the ISU qualifying tournament in Beijing, scoring 209.63 points in two programs. This result secured her an Olympic quota and an official invitation from the International Olympic Committee.
Off the ice, Adeilia leads a fairly private life: she spends her free time with her family, reads Agatha Christie’s detective novels, collects puzzles, and walks with her beloved dog. At the same time, she actively develops her personal brand on social networks, where she shares training moments and reflections on her profession.
Petr Gumenik: A Story of Steady Growth
Petr Gumenik was born on April 11, 2002, in St. Petersburg. His journey in figure skating is a story of steady growth, discipline, and the ability to remain calm even in the most difficult situations.
Petr also started skating at the age of four, and even as a child, specialists noted his combination of physicality and analytical thinking. Despite offers to continue his career in Moscow, the family decided to stay in St. Petersburg, where Gumenik went through his formation at the “Star Ice” school and then continued his training in Tamara Moskvina’s system. Early successes did not take long: even before the age of 10, Petr competed against older opponents and consistently ranked among the strongest. Over time, the Rittberger became his signature element, and later, quadruple jumps were added to his arsenal.
Gumenik’s junior career developed in waves. Victories at the Grand Prix stages alternated with failures, injuries, and illnesses. However, it was during this period that he formed his main quality—the ability to come back stronger. As early as 2019, Petr won the Junior Grand Prix Final and established himself as one of the most promising single skaters of his generation.
In senior sports, Gumenik quickly made a name for himself. He climbed the podium, won medals at the Russian Championships, and became known as an athlete capable of delivering the most complex skates at the decisive moment.
Gumenik drew special attention to himself in the 2023/2024 season when he won the Russian Grand Prix Final and showed record scores. In parallel, he received a higher education at the ITMO University, choosing a direction in the field of information technology—a rare case for an athlete of this level.
The selection for the 2026 Olympics became a logical continuation of Petr’s career. In September 2025, he confidently won the qualifying tournament in Beijing, scoring 262.82 points in two programs. This result secured him first place and official confirmation of admission to the Games in a neutral status.
Today, Petr is an international class master of sports, a two-time winner of the Russian Grand Prix Final, and one of the most stable single skaters in the country. The Olympics in Italy will be an opportunity for him to prove that the Russian school of men’s figure skating is still capable of fighting for the highest awards.
Saveliy Korostelev: A New Generation of Russian Skiers
Saveliy Korostelev received a neutral status from the International Ski Federation and Snowboard in December. Today he is 22 years old and is rightfully considered one of the most promising Russian skiers of the new generation. Junior world champion, multiple Russian champion, he quickly became one of the key figures of the national team after the suspension of leading Russian athletes in 2022.
Saveliy’s love for skiing is in his blood. His grandfather and grandmother are professional coaches, and his mother Natalia Korostelev and uncle Nikolai Morilov returned from the Vancouver 2010 Olympics with bronze medals. The Russian national team once included Saveliy’s father Pavel Korostelev, who later retrained as a biathlete.
The future champion was put on skis at the age of two. Despite his interest in swimming as a child, genetics prevailed, and Saveliy himself insisted that his grandmother start training him. Even then, it became clear that he was not just a talented child, but an athlete with character. Interestingly, Korostelev has always combined sports with serious education. He studied in a physics and mathematics class and later entered the Smolensk State University of Sports. The athlete himself has repeatedly noted that analytical thinking and love for mathematics help him on the ski track—in calculating the pace, strategy, and distribution of forces.
The first serious successes came to Korostelev at the junior level. In February 2022, at the Junior World Championship in Norway, he won two gold and one silver medal, loudly declaring himself as a versatile skier. His style combines passion and cold calculation.
Off the track, Saveliy remains a fairly private person. He is fond of football, supports “Barcelona”, loves TV series, and admits that he spends his prize money quite modestly—the main goal now is to save up for his own apartment. It is known that Korostelev is in a relationship with Kristina Shigina, an employee of the Ski Sports Federation of Tatarstan. The girl is several years older than the athlete and actively supports him.
For more information on the Winter Olympics and the athletes participating, visit the official Olympics website.
