Raimo Reinsalu, an Estonian figure skating coach, faced a challenging moment as he watched his student Meda Variakojyte compete at the Olympics, making her the first Lithuanian woman to compete in figure skating at the Games. Variakojyte scored 53.86 points in her short program and expressed her excitement and disbelief at being part of such a monumental event, sharing that it was an emotional experience for her. Despite the joy of competing, she hinted at a preference for skating with her coach in a familiar environment rather than the Olympic stage alone.

The background of this story is marked by controversy surrounding coach Raimo Reinsalu, who was handed a provisional suspension by the International Skating Union (ISU) on February 7 due to serious allegations of mental and physical abuse made by a former student, Sofja Stepcenko. While Variakojyte successfully made history at the Olympics without the direct guidance of her coach, this situation raises questions about the impact of Reinsalu's suspension on future competitions for his students and the ethics of coaching in sports.

Reinsalu has categorically denied all allegations against him and has launched a complaint against the ISU's decision. This sets a complex stage in sports governance, where allegations can lead to significant repercussions not only for the accused but also for the athletes they train. As Variakojyte competes and ideally looks forward to her future in skating, the implications of this event will likely impact the Estonian and Lithuanian skating communities, as well as provoke discussions on athlete welfare and coaching standards in sports.