Irina Slutskaya

Standing as one of Russia’s most decorated figure skaters, Irina Slutskaya’s legacy boasts a remarkable list of accolades including two World championships, two Olympic medals, seven European championships, and four Grand Prix Final victories. Dominating from 1996 to 2006, she secured a record title in the Grand Prix circuit. Her athleticism stood out, marked by her pioneering triple lutz-triple loop combination and the creation of the signature Biellmann spin with a foot change.

Despite not making a formal retirement announcement, Slutskaya stepped away from competition after the 2006 Olympics. Post-Olympics, she returned to Russia and embraced motherhood with her husband Serfei Mikheev. While ice wasn’t in her immediate future, reality TV beckoned. She hosted shows like “Stars on Ice” and “Ice Age.” Later, she ventured into a Russian soap opera centered around figure skating titled “Hot Ice” and headlined as the lead skater in “Winx on Ice.” Bridging back to her Olympic beginnings, she took on the role of an ambassador for the 2014 Olympics in Russia.