MILAN, Italy – Olga Mikutina, a Montclair State University business administration student representing Austria, is set to compete in women’s singles figure skating at the Winter Olympics in Milan. This marks her second Olympic appearance, following her debut in Beijing, where she competed at age 18.
Born in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Mikutina moved to Austria at age twelve to pursue higher-level figure skating training. She now balances the demands of elite athletic competition with a full course load at the New Jersey university. The Montclair State University Ice Arena, an SFC-managed facility, has become a crucial training base for her Olympic preparation, offering a consistent, high-quality environment close to her classroom.
“It’s all about time management,” Mikutina said, emphasizing the discipline required to juggle academics, work, and 15 hours of on-ice training each week. “I write down all my tasks and schedule my day very well.”
Mikutina secured her spot in the Milan Games at last season’s World Figure Skating Championships and successfully defended her Austrian national title in December. She is a five-time Austrian national champion (2020-21, 2024-26) and a two-time Austrian national junior champion (2019-2020).
Balancing Two Hearts
Despite representing Austria on the world stage, Mikutina maintains a strong connection to her Ukrainian roots. Her grandfather remains in Kharkiv, a region heavily impacted by the ongoing conflict. “I have both countries in my heart, Ukraine and Austria,” she stated. “I want to continue discovering my potential, developing my abilities, learning new elements and perfecting my skating.”
She acknowledges the weight of the situation in her homeland, stating, “I have accepted the reality, but I will continue to speak about the war so that people do not forget what is happening there.”
Mental Fortitude and Artistic Expression
In preparation for the Olympics, Mikutina focused on strengthening her mental game. Recognizing that nerves hindered her performance in the past, she worked with a mental trainer to develop strategies for maintaining focus and composure under pressure. “My nervousness…was in my way,” she explained. “I couldn’t then perform my best because I lost my focus.”
Mikutina identifies her skating style and artistry as key strengths. “My strength is my skating style and my artistry. Many observers say that I skate with a lot of soul and am an artist on the ice. I convey the dance to the music well,” she said. She is supported on-site by her coach, Elena Romanova, and physiotherapist, Max Hämmerle.
Realistic Expectations, Ambitious Spirit
While thrilled to be competing in her second Olympics, Mikutina remains grounded in her expectations. She acknowledges that winning a medal – the first for Austria since Trixi Schuba’s gold in 1972 – may be premature. “It is still too early for the first medal,” she said. “The competitors still have an edge. I still have many steps on the ladder to climb. But I want to give a good program and show my ability, then it will also be a good result.”
Mikutina’s short program will be set to a cover of “Reckoning Song” (also known as “One Day”) by Asif Avidan, while her free skate will feature Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters.” The choice of music reflects her determination to focus on the present moment and deliver a compelling performance.
Mikutina is scheduled to begin competition with the short program on at 18:45 local time (12:45 PM EST), live on ORF1.
