An Olympic champion ice skater has left her native Russia for Pittsburgh because she says her country's skating program is on thin ice.
Elena Valova, who won the gold medal for pairs skating in the 1984 Olympics and the silver in 1988, was offered about $100 a month to coach in her homeland of Russia. Her expected monthly salary in Pittsburgh could reach $10,000.The 35-year-old, who is married and has a 2-year-old son, said she couldn't afford to support her family on the Russian salary.
"What do you do with it?" she asked, shrugging.
Valova also said the former Soviet Union's world-class athletes are floundering as state aid diminishes in Russia.
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