Russian figure skaters perform to Ukrainian Shchedryk christmas carol at Grand Prix in China – video

21 August, 16:56
Russian ice dance duo. Photo: Instagram

The Junior Grand Prix in figure skating was held in China on 20 August, with Russian athletes causing controversy on the opening day of the competition.

Source: Champion, a sports news platform within Ukrainska Pravda's holding company

Details: This is the first international tournament since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine to allow representatives from Russia and Belarus to compete. On the opening day of the Grand Prix, the "neutral" ice dance duo of Mariia Fefelova and Artem Valov found themselves at the centre of a controversy.

They performed their rhythm dance to a mix of music by Vivaldi and the Ukrainian Shchedryk, also known as Carol of the Bells, by Mykola Leontovych. The programme was choreographed by renowned French choreographer Benoit Richaud, who has been actively working with Russian skaters this season.

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