"Animals for training": Olympic champion reveals the truth about the abuse of young athletes in Russia

Three-time Olympic champion in synchronized swimming Alla Shishkina has criticized the famous figure skating coach Eteri Tutberidze. The 14-time world championship winner called the specialist's methods inhumane as they are based on abuse and violence.

Shishkina said this in a comment to Sport24. The former synchronized skater noted that young Russian figure skaters are openly mocked and forced to undergo painful training, which then affects their health and morale.

"I am not happy about her methods. In Russia, the atmosphere of abusive relationships between coaches, parents and children is still very strong. A new generation has to come along that will be able to correct the situation with such harsh methods of training children. I have never been beaten at home or at training, and I don't think the ends justify the means. You need to talk to a child as a human being, he or she is not an animal to be trained. I'm not saying that Tutberidze beats anyone, but I don't like her tough approach," Shishkina said.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!