Niina Petrõkina, a two-time European champion in women's singles figure skating, participated in her Olympic debut at the Milan Cortina games where she scored 69.63 points in the short program. Despite the impressive score, she fell just 0.98 points short of her Estonian record, reflecting the high stakes of the competition. Petrõkina shared her feelings of anxiety during the event, admitting that she struggled to manage her nerves, which significantly affected her performance.

In her post-performance interview with ERR, Petrõkina conveyed the emotional challenges she experienced leading up to the competition. She discussed moments of distress before her warm-up, even mentioning shedding some tears on the floor to cope with her feelings. The support from her choreographer, Alina Boykole, helped calm her nerves, allowing her to complete all her elements but still expressing disappointment that she wasn’t able to enjoy the experience due to the overwhelming pressure.

Looking ahead, Petrõkina expressed hope that she would find enjoyment in the upcoming free skate program. Her honest reflection on the pressures faced by athletes in high-stakes situations highlights the mental health aspects of competitive sports, especially during pivotal events like the Olympics. As the games progress, the Estonian skater aims to overcome her nervousness and embrace the competition with a more positive outlook.