Gabriella Papadakis, a celebrated figure skater with multiple championships and Olympic medals, shares a painful narrative regarding her experience in competitive skating. In a social media post, she discusses her lifelong passion for figure skating, which has granted her beautiful memories and global experiences but also led her to endure significant personal losses. Despite the joys that the sport has brought, she expresses a deep longing for a competitive environment that does not mirror her hardships.

She highlights the challenges faced by young athletes, particularly regarding the darker aspects of their training and competition. Papadakis articulates her desire for future generations of skaters to enjoy their journeys without the same traumas she experienced. Her call for change, however, is met with obstacles, as she notes that voices like hers are often silenced within the sport, making systemic changes difficult to implement.

Having had to end her career due to the intolerable nature of the abuses she faced, Papadakis also discusses the personal repercussions of speaking out, which included loss of opportunities such as commentary roles for the upcoming Olympics. Her revelations not only aim to shed light on the harsh realities of elite sports training but also serve as a push for a kinder and more supportive environment for young athletes in the future.