Olympics Coach's 3-Minute Jacket Swaps Go Viral

Benoit Richaud, a figure skating choreographer, has captured the attention of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics with his extraordinary support system for his athletes. Richaud trains an impressive 16 skaters hailing from 13 distinct nations. To demonstrate his unwavering backing for each individual, he adopts a unique approach: changing his jacket to reflect the country of the competitor performing on the ice.

This distinctive strategy involves Richaud swapping outfits every few minutes, a commitment that necessitated packing three suitcases for the Games. His viral moments, often captured in the 'kiss and cry' area during broadcasts, showcase him in various national colors. Despite the logistical challenge, Richaud's dedication was rewarded as he guided Georgian pair Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava to a silver medal in the pairs figure skating event.

Richaud explains that this practice is a deliberate organizational effort. He aims to immerse himself in each skater's world as they take to the ice, enabling a swift emotional transition. While acknowledging the difficulty of managing conflicting emotions when his pupils compete against each other, he has developed a process to cope with the intensity, having refined this approach over years of coaching numerous athletes.