9 feet above ice as hard as concrete a delicate and fragile Russian athlete defies gravity. She is protected only by the talent of an aboriginal boy with the strength of a man. Yet men cannot always defy gravity and the fragile fall. A fairy tale story that bridges cultures and traditions older than civilisation itself. To master the elegance of ballet on ice is the pinnacle of mastering oneself. Guided by Andre a perfectionist Russian coach who deftly guides the young athletes to learn the principles of relentless, unforgiving work. Harley speaks no Russian. Katya speaks no English. The language they share is to move elegantly across thin ice. Katya emigrates to Australia to train and represent Australia. Discovered by a selector, the pair are developed and supported to enter competitions and win a youth grand Prix and a Gold medal for Australia. The language barrier dispels all the usual quarrels between artisans, who learn to trust and respect each other's work. Harley the calm gentleman and Katya the firebrand. He teaches her calmness. She teaches him perfectionism. A Russian Olympic coach tells Moscow "I told you they would be good." Moscow vows never to let Russian talent represent other countries again. They win! Russian coaching methods work for Harley who likes to be pushed and held accountable, but grates against the freedom of Katya. Events flow into the Olympics. Katya becomes an Australian citizen. The first Australian indigenous winter Olympian, Harley is paraded like a mascot for multi culturalism by politicians who all but take credit for his work. Katya barely speaks English and without the support of translators is sidelined by media. They do OK at the winter Olympics considering their young age. Katya starts to have mild seizures and headaches. Falls are commonplace in pairs training. A rift forms between Katya and coach Andre. Coaching moves to Montreal, Canada. Training conditions are impoverished. Unsupported, they struggle. Katya drinks alcohol, which teenager doesn't! Wine in the water bottle? Not a way to hydrate. Help was needed. Too little thought and consideration had been given to Katya's emotional well-being. Rather than support increasing, funding is reduced. Despite the heartbreaking lack of support, they do well in Las Vegas. Katya is diagnosed with epilepsy. Alcohol is a contributing factor. Katya is advised that she can no longer compete. Had someone understood the emotional impacts of losing a father as a young teen, the need to go home, to be with her mother. The support just wasn't there. Katya is found dead. Fallen from a sixth-floor window in Moscow. Harley is devastated. It doesn't seem real. How could this have happened? The undercurrent narrative is one of neglect in the care for the well-being of young athletes. That we may lose what we hold most dearly beautiful if we become ugly in our neglect. We end our journey acknowledging the journalists who challenged the sports organisations neglect for the humanity of children. Their work has led to a national, integrity framework to provide a safe, fair and healthy environment for participants at all levels of sport. We remember Katya as a lesson to care.
Review of Harley & Katya
