January 21, 2026, became a significant date in the history of Derzhavin University sports. The Russian Skating Union officially confirmed the participation of Anastasia Semenova, a student of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports at Derzhavin University, in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Anastasia Semenova is rightfully one of the most promising speed skaters in the country. Over the past few years, she has won numerous awards. In 2024, the Derzhavin University student won the mass start at the All-Russian Universiade in Chelyabinsk. In December 2025, Anastasia became the Russian champion for the first time, winning the team race with Elena Eranina and Irina Kuznetsova, and also took second place in the 1000 meters and third in the 1500 meters.
At the end of 2025, Anastasia Semenova competed in the World Cups in the USA and Canada. Based on the four stages, the Derzhavin representative scored 95 points and placed 20th in the rankings, making her one of the 24 participants qualified for the 2026 Olympic Games.
And now it's no longer news, but a fact: Semenova is going to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The Games will be held from February 6 to 22. Anastasia will compete in Milan, where speed skating and short track competitions will take place, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics.
This is a significant event for Derzhavin University. The last time a representative of our university competed in the Olympics was in 2004, when Vladislav Frolov took part in the Summer Olympics.
"If we talk about Anastasia as an athlete, she is, first and foremost, a unique individual, genetically gifted, hardworking, a strategist and tactician. She is a broad-minded person, a student who typically completes all her classes early and has no debts," says Alexander Fetisov, director of the Avangard Training and Management Center at Derzhavin University, head of the veterans' branch of the regional speed skating federation, and a candidate for master of sports in speed skating. "We must pay tribute to her first coach, Denis Asfadiyarov, and the coaching staff who have guided and continue to guide her to such high results. We will definitely be watching and rooting for Nastya at the Olympics with the entire university."
On behalf of the entire university, we wish Anastasia Semenova a brilliant, high-quality performance and unforgettable memories of what is to come, one of the key events in her athletic career.
