Legendary Russian Figure Skating coach Igor Moskvin has passed away at the age of 91 on November 10, 2020. In his long career as a coach, Moskvin built the foundation of Figure Skating in the Soviet Union and contributed significantly to the development of Figure Skating in Russia and worldwide.
Igor Moskvin©Russian Skating Federation
Moskvin was a Pair Skater and won with his partner Maia Belenkaia the Championships of the Soviet Union three times 1952-1954. Together with Belenkaia, he was part of the first team that represented the Soviet Union at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in 1956.
Marina Eltsova/Andrei Bushkov at the Winter Olympic Games 1998©Getty Images
Moskvin turned to coaching right after he hung up his skates from competitive Skating at the end of the 1950s and used innovative methods such as videotaping that were new at the time. He produced many excellent Skaters such as Olympic Champions Liudmila Belusova/Oleg Protopopov, ISU World Figure Skating Champions Marina Eltsova/Andrei Bushkov, ISU European Figure Skating Champions Igor Bobrin and Larisa Selezneva/Oleg Makarov as well as Tamara Moskvina/Alexei Mishin, Juri Ovchinnikov and Vladimir Kotin.
Moskvin was married to Tamara Bratus, a former student, who became a very successful coach herself.
Tamara Mosvkin at the Winter Olympic Games 2010©Getty Images
Igor Mosvkin continued to help and work with Figure Skaters long past retirement age. He enjoyed visiting the ice rink and giving valuable advice to the current generation of Skaters.
Igor Moskvin will be remembered fondly for his huge input into the development of the sport of Figure Skating, for his kindness and energetic demeanor until high age.
The ISU pays tribute to Igor Moskvin and will remember him with affection and respect.