“Artsakh” by Ara Gevorgyan and the Olympic Games: history of its use and the essence of the current dispute

The use of the composition “Artsakh” by Armenian composer Ara Gevorgyan in Olympic figure skating is neither new nor exceptional. For more than two decades, this music has been performed at major international competitions, including the Olympic Games, without any objections from sporting or political institutions.

History of performances to Ara Gevorgyan’s music at the Olympics

2002 Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City
Russian figure skater Alexander Abt performed his free skate titled “Armenian Dance” to music by Ara Gevorgyan. The program was choreographed by legendary coach Rafael Arutyunyan. Abt finished fifth overall, and the performance is still regarded as one of the brightest moments of his career.

2006 Winter Olympics, Turin
Georgian figure skater Elene Gedevanishvili skated her short program to a slightly modified version of “Artsakh”, finishing tenth overall.

Videos of these performances are available on our Telegram channel.

In the following years, Ara Gevorgyan’s music was repeatedly used by Armenian skaters at international events, as well as by Russian figure skater Adeliya Petrosyan during the 2021/22 season — without any controversy or complaints.

Azerbaijan’s complaint and the situation surrounding the 2026 Olympics

The issue was raised for the first time only after the start of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, when the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan filed a complaint regarding the use of this music by the Armenian pair Karina Akopova / Nikita Rakhmanin, competing in pair skating.

The sole reason cited was the title of the composition — “Artsakh”. The Azerbaijani side claimed that it allegedly carried an “ideological subtext,” which, according to many sports observers, goes beyond the realm of sport and contradicts the Olympic principle of neutrality.

At the same time, it is important to note that:

• The program had been officially approved by international governing bodies;

• The pair had already skated to this music at the ISU To Milano qualification event in Beijing in September 2025, where they won silver medals and secured a historic Olympic quota for Armenia;

• No complaints were filed at the time of qualification.

ISU’s position and changes in documentation

As reported by The Guardian, the International Skating Union (ISU) reviewed the complaint together with all involved parties.

In its official statement, the ISU said:

“The situation was discussed with all involved parties. The official titles of the tracks to be used are listed on the ISU website.”

In practice, no ban on the music was imposed. The only change is purely formal: on the ISU website, the composition is now listed as Music by Ara Gevorgyan instead of Artsakh by Ara Gevorgyan. As of the time of publication, no other changes have been recorded in the official documents.

Context and conclusions

The long history of Ara Gevorgyan’s music being used at the Olympic Games clearly demonstrates that this is a work of art that has long been integrated into the global figure skating repertoire. Attempts to challenge its use after the program had already been approved appear, according to experts, to be an effort to bring political disputes into the Olympic arena — a space that traditionally declares political neutrality and respect for cultural expression.

It should be recalled that Akopova and Rakhmanin changed their sporting nationality in the summer of 2025 and will make their Olympic debut for Armenia at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Games. Their short program is scheduled for February 15.