Azerbaijan Complains About Artsakh Music Choice by Armenian Figure Skaters at Olympic Games

A new controversy has surfaced at the opening of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan after Azerbaijan’s National Olympic Committee filed a formal complaint with the International Olympic Committee over the music selected by Armenia’s figure skating representatives.

The Azerbaijani side argued that the chosen piece carried political meaning and described it as “politically charged and separatist” in its submission. The objection focused on the decision by Armenian pair skaters Karina Akopyan and Nikita Rakhmanin to skate to Ara Gevorgyan’s composition titled “Artsakh.”

According to the complaint, Azerbaijan asked Olympic officials to review whether the music complies with Olympic rules designed to keep sporting competitions free from political messaging. The Olympic Charter promotes neutrality and seeks to ensure that events remain centered on athletic performance rather than political disputes.

Akopyan and Rakhmanin are representing Armenia in figure skating events at the Milan Games, which officially began today. Their program was prepared ahead of the competition season, and the music they selected is a well-known orchestral work by Armenian composer Ara Gevorgyan. The title of the piece, “Artsakh,” is the Armenian name for Nagorno-Karabakh, an indigenous Armenian region long disputed between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Representing Azerbaijan in this category is a Russian native. Azerbaijan is paying the foreign athlete to compete under their flag.

At the time this article was published, the International Olympic Committee has not issued a public decision on the matter.

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