Armenia’s Pair Skates to “Artsakh,” Delivering Symbolic Olympic Program

Armenia’s figure skating pair Karina Akopyan and Nikita Rakhmanin took to the ice at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, delivering a short program that blended athletic precision with powerful cultural symbolism. Representing Armenia on one of the world’s biggest sporting stages, the duo performed to “Artsakh” by composer Ara Gevorgyan, a choice that immediately resonated with Armenian audiences worldwide and drew significant attention across social media platforms.

The duo earned a total score of 66.27 points for their short program.

They first introduced this music earlier in competition before the Olympic Games. The performance quickly spread across social media and reached a wide audience, becoming one of the most recognizable routines of their career. The strong public response helped place the pair firmly in the spotlight ahead of the Games.

For Akopyan, performing to “Artsakh” carries deep personal meaning. Although she was born in Moscow and is still learning Armenian, she has spoken about the pride she feels representing Armenia. Skating to this piece at the Olympic Games had long been a personal goal, closely tied to her identity and her connection to her ethnic homeland.

When the current season began and they were allowed to choose their music, Akopyan strongly supported selecting “Artsakh,” even when there was uncertainty around the decision. She insisted on using the piece in competition, believing it reflected both her personal story and Armenia’s cultural heritage.

At the Winter Olympics in Milan, the music once again framed their short program as they stepped onto the ice. The performance attracted attention not only for its technical elements but also for the powerful associations surrounding the composition.

Their appearance to “Artsakh” stands as one of the most symbolic moments of Armenia’s participation in figure skating at the Olympic Games, adding an emotional and cultural layer to their competition on the world stage.

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