Olympic Figure Skating Music Dispute Between Armenia and Azerbaijan Resolved After ISU Review
A politically charged dispute between the Olympic delegations of Azerbaijan and Armenia regarding figure skating music has been resolved following a review by skating authorities and the International Olympic Committee. The official program listing has been amended to address concerns raised by Azerbaijan's National Olympic Committee.
ISU Statement and Resolution Process
The International Skating Union confirmed in a statement to the Guardian on Sunday that it had examined the matter thoroughly with all relevant stakeholders. The ISU stated clearly that the situation had been reviewed with all parties involved, and the official names of the tracks to be used are now properly listed on the ISU website.
This resolution came after Azerbaijan's committee raised formal concerns with the IOC regarding the Armenian pair's planned short program. The skaters in question, Karina Akopova and Nikita Rakhmanin, had intended to perform to Artsakh, a composition by musician Ara Gevorgyan who was born in Yerevan, Armenia's capital city.
Geopolitical Significance of Music Selection
The controversy centered on the term Artsakh, which represents the Armenian name for the long-disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region. This term was historically used by the self-declared ethnic Armenian administration that controlled the territory for decades. Azerbaijani officials strongly reject this terminology, arguing it implies territorial claims over land that is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan's National Olympic Committee emphasized in their statement that using this particular song would introduce political messaging into Olympic competition, potentially violating Olympic Charter principles that require strict political neutrality during the Games. The committee asserted that the Olympic Games symbolize peace, friendship, and mutual respect between peoples, making it unacceptable to use this platform for political or separatist propaganda purposes.
Official Listing Changes and Competitive Implications
The ISU website listing for the pair skating short program has now been modified to identify the music simply as Music by Ara Gevorgyan, rather than naming the specific composition. This change appears in the federation's published music registry for the 2025-26 competitive season.
While music selections in Olympic figure skating typically undergo submission and approval through technical processes overseen by the ISU, disputes involving political symbolism can extend beyond standard sport governance structures. Late changes to Olympic programs can carry significant competitive consequences, as demonstrated recently when Spain's Tomàs-Llorenç Guarino Sabaté narrowly avoided redesigning his Olympic short program after resolving a copyright dispute involving Minions franchise music.
Coaches and athletes consistently emphasize that changing music late in the Olympic cycle forces skaters to rework choreography refined over months of preparation. In a sport where musical timing and muscle memory are fundamentally inseparable, such alterations present substantial challenges to competitors.
Broader Context and Olympic Schedule
People familiar with the discussions revealed that the complaint was initially directed to the IOC rather than through standard sport governance channels, with the issue subsequently addressed through discussions involving relevant Olympic authorities. The International Olympic Committee did not respond to requests for comment regarding this specific matter.
Akopova and Rakhmanin remain scheduled to compete in the Olympic pair skating short program on 15 February, with their free skate performance set for 16 February. Azerbaijan will be represented in Olympic figure skating by a single male skater competing in a separate discipline, meaning athletes from the two nations will not face each other directly in competition.
Geopolitical Background and Olympic Implications
This episode occurs just three months after Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a US-brokered peace agreement designed to normalize relations following decades of conflict. However, disputes related to Nagorno-Karabakh remain particularly sensitive between the two nations. The situation underscores how geopolitical tensions continue to surface within the Olympic movement despite longstanding rules intended to keep political disputes out of athletic competition.
The resolution of this music dispute demonstrates the ongoing challenges Olympic authorities face in maintaining the Games' political neutrality while respecting cultural expressions and national identities. As the Milano Cortina Olympics progress, this case serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required when sport intersects with complex international relations.
