Latvian and Lithuanian figure skating coach Raimo Reinsalu will not be returning to the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, reports Sportas.lt.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday rejected Reinsalu’s appeal against the International Skating Union’s (ISU) decision to impose a two-year ban on the coach, according to the media outlet.
Last week, the Lithuanian National Olympic Committee (LNOK) suspended the coach’s accreditation after receiving the ISU’s decision regarding Reinsalu’s disqualification.
Latvian champion Sofja Stepčenko, who accused Reinsalu of prolonged psychological and physical abuse during training, stated she experienced sustained psychological and physical abuse. In 2024, she informed the Latvian Skating Association (LSA) about the alleged abuse and in 2025, she filed an official complaint that was forwarded to the police. She has been diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Stepčenko claims coaches Olga Kovalkova and Raimo Reinsalu manipulated her, forced her to train although injured, and spoke to her in a demeaning manner.
According to the skater, she required multiple psychiatric hospitalizations due to suicidal thoughts, and the coaches’ comments exacerbated her long-standing eating disorders. She accused her coaches of pressuring her to train and compete despite injuries, and of attributing her pain to excess weight.
The coaches deny the allegations. In 2025, the International Skating Union (ISU) confirmed it was also conducting an investigation. Despite this, Reinsalu led the Latvian delegation to the 2026 European Championships, raising questions about safety, and accountability. The LSA did not provide a convincing explanation at the time.
Reinsalu’s former wife, Tatjana, also spoke on the matter, alleging that he systematically sexually abused her and their daughter over a period of 16 years. She described physical violence, threats of murder and strangulation, and abusive behavior during her daughter’s training sessions. She stated she did not pursue legal action due to pressure from the sports community, but decided to speak publicly to protect other children, fearing retribution.
Portal “Nra.lv” interviewed Sofja’s coach, Karina Magone, who discussed the events. Watch the interview here: VIDEO. Violence! A clear story about the suffering of children and youth in sports
