T
hough figure skating still plays a major role
in the life of Alexei Yagudin, it is just one of
many professional pursuits on his busy agenda
these days. From performing in ice shows
to working with environmental and health
groups, the four-time World champion has
expanded his horizons in many directions.
As well, Yagudin has developed a career as a show host and
a figure skating commentator for Russian television networks.
His own show, “Live Life” — a sports-related program —
airs on the national Channel One network on Saturdays.
Yagudin recently became involved with a wildlife protection
group that is working to save the Amur (Siberian) tigers
from extinction in Russia. He also participates in the Joint
United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, which he said is
very important to him. He is in demand as a motivational
speaker and shares his experiences and insights with students
at Russian universities and institutions.SHOWTIME
Aside from his regular television appearances, Yagudin spread
his wings with his work on “Melting Ice,” a show in which
he interviews athletes from many sports, including figure
skating. The show was originally filmed in a studio but the
format changed, and Yagudin now interviews his subjects in
their own environment. “For example, one of the recent shows
was with Marat Safin (a former world-class tennis player).
We were playing tennis and talking,” Yagudin explained.
Earlier this year, he hosted Ilia Averbukh’s successful
television production “Ice Age Kids” — a show he co-hosted
with Evgenia Medvedeva in 2018 — in which children at
the novice level perform artistic programs to various themes.
A panel of prominent coaches and former elite skaters judge
the routines.
Yagudin developed a passion for acting in stage plays a few
years ago, and said he likens the experience of performing
live to his competitive days. “I really like television, but there
is always the chance for a retake,” he said. “In the theatre
there is no such thing. Theatre is like a European or World
Championships when it comes to adrenaline. That feeling
cannot be replaced.”
Last spring, he had starring roles in two comedic plays that
premiered in St. Petersburg. “The first one was about a real-
life relationship between two people, in which I performed
with Anna Gorshkova (a well-known Russian actress).
“The second was a lighter comedy about how a person
changed in one evening. The plays will eventually tour inIt has been 17 years since
Russia’s Alexei Yagudin
mined Olympic gold on
American soil. So much
has changed in the life of
the decorated champion
since that magical night in
Salt Lake City.
At age 39, Yagudin has not
lost the boyish grin that won
over a legion of fans in his
heyday, and he remains as
ambitious today as he was
when competing at the
highest level of the sport.