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“When we started skating together there were even thoughts about representing Russia,” said Giotopoulos Moore.
“But in the end we decided Australia because we have amazing support for athletes there and amazing benefits for athletes, and plus the competition in Russia is such a high calibre.
“Even to make to a position to be able to the Olympics you have to be at such a high level, it’s almost impossible.
“You have to have political backing, you have to have, you know, be with one of the top coaches over there. You have to be really amazing to be able to make the team there.
Giotopoulos Moore, who has Greek dual citizenship, said he also contemplated that option but had grown up in Australia, had roots in Australia (mainly in Sydney but with family in Melbourne) and wanted to skate for his home nation.
“So we were stuck in Australia from late August, early September until December. We missed the first half of our season.
Golubeva and Giotopoulos Moore perform at last year’s world championships.Credit: Getty Images
“We were staying with my aunties in Melbourne and we were training in the ice house there.”
The citizen bid involved some uncertainty. “Of course, we were worried about it,” Giotopoulos Moore said of Golubeva’s eventually successful bid for citizenship. “But we kind of knew in the back of our minds we’re doing everything, they’re the rules and eventually it will come through.”
The pair had skated superbly in the 2025 world championships (before she was an Australian) finishing ninth, an unheard of result for Australians.
But they are not setting any goals for Milano Cortina in terms of their finish in the pecking order, an aspiration that likely bespeaks their challenging preparations.
Anastasiia Golubeva’s Australian citizenship came through just in time.Credit: IOC via Getty Images
“For this Olympic, our goal is just to be honest is to enjoy every minute, enjoy every step on the ice,” said Golubeva. “Because it’s our first Olympic, it’s no expectation for us, just enjoy it.”
Giotopoulos Moore added on the expectations for Milano Cortina: “We had COVID last season, we missed most of the competition as well. Even us being here is a miracle and us being able to represent Australian is incredible for us. So honestly, we’re just happy to be here…we want to be happy with how we skated.”
The pair were comfortable addressing the question that surrounds many ice skating duos – of whether they were a romantic couple off the ice. Giotopoulos Moore said they were not.
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“No, not really. We’re just very, very close off the ice, very good friends.”
Giotopoulos Moore said they had considered Greece initially. “We did when we started skating together, but in the end… I wanted to represent Australia. I grew up there, all my friends are from there, everybody’s in Australia so we ended up deciding Australia.”
Golubeva said of the choice of citizenship she had made: “I feel very happy to represent Australia, to be part of Australian team.”
The Winter Olympic Games is broadcast on the 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport.
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