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Coach Advocates Early Training Amid Figure Skating Pressures

2/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Rafael Arutyunyan, a coach for Olympic figure skaters, calls for a structured training system from a young age.
He notes that many young athletes, including Liu, face rigid expectations from families and coaches.
Liu began skating at five and returned to the sport on her own terms after a brief retirement.
The 2022 Olympics highlighted pressures in figure skating, including Kamila Valieva's doping scandal and emotional fallout for teammates.

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Story summary

Rafael Arutyunyan, a coach for Olympic figure skaters, calls for a structured training system from a young age.
He notes that many young athletes, including Liu, face rigid expectations from families and coaches.
Liu began skating at five and returned to the sport on her own terms after a brief retirement.
The 2022 Olympics highlighted pressures in figure skating, including Kamila Valieva's doping scandal and emotional fallout for teammates.