Olga Dmitriyevna Markova (; born 22 January 1974) is a Russian former competitive figure skater who currently works as a coach, choreographer, and technical specialist. She is a two-time European medalist (bronze in 1994 and silver in 1995), and the 1994 Russian national champion.
Career Markova drew attention for her avant garde style and choreography. For example, her free skating program at Skate Canada in 1993, which she choreographed, emphasized the angular, straight-lined, and twisting shapes she made with her body, especially her long, thin arms and legs. Her costume was a streamlined solid-black dress and tights and produced a futuristic image consistent with the electronic music. Figure skating writer and historian Ellyn Kestnbaum called Markova's free skating program "an abstract program, focused on stark geometric shapes and direct movement qualities rather than on the classical moves or flowiness associated with traditional femininity". She came in third place overall at Skate Canada.
Her highest placement at the World Figure Skating Championships was fifth, which she achieved in 1995. That year she was second after the short program, ahead of the eventual gold and silver medalists Lu Chen and Surya Bonaly. Her inability to land a clean triple lutz in the long program dropped her off the podium.
In 1998 Markova turned professional and won a silver medal at the World Professional Figure Skating Championships in Jaca, Spain. She has coached and choreographed for Kristina Oblasova and currently coaches Adrian Alvarado. She is an ISU technical specialist for Russia.
Programs Season Short program Free skating 1994–95 Harlem Nocturne Miss Saigon 1993–94 Space Opera
Results GP: Champions Series (Grand Prix)
International Event 91–92 92–93 93–94 94–95 95–96 96–97 97–98 Worlds 10th 5th 12th Europeans 12th 3rd 2nd 11th 8th Final 6th 5th Skate Canada 4th 6th Cup of Russia 3rd 2nd NHK Trophy 3rd Nations Cup 4th Inter. de Paris 4th Nebelhorn Trophy 2nd NHK Trophy 7th 5th Schäfer Memorial 3rd Skate America 7th Skate Canada 2nd Skate Electric 4th National Russian Champ. 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 2nd 9th Soviet Champ. 4th
References
Skatabase: 1990s Europeans Skatabase: 1990s Worlds