Russian figure skater Alina Zagitova dazzled audiences with her gold medal winning performance at PyeongChang four years. Just 15 years old at the time, Zagitova also won the silver medal in the team competition. She then added a gold medal in the 2019 World Championship as well.
But she won’t be defending her gold medal in Beijing this coming February. She has other plans.
Instead Zagitova will be skating in Dubai, UAE December 4-5 as the star of Sleeping Beauty: Ice Show
The Russian is not actively competing this year, and in fact has not competed competitively since 2020. She is currently ranked 36th in the world by the International Skating Union.
The Russian Figure Skating Federation confirmed Zagitova and two-time world champion Evgenia Medvedeva have not been included on the national team and their participation in the Beijing 2022 Games is unlikely.
The Dubai show is the creation of 2006 Olympic ice dance champion Tatiana Navka.