Alexei Sitnikov
An ice dancer who propelled Azerbaijan onto the Olympic stage, reaching a top-twelve finish in Sochi with partner Julia Zlobina.
Born 1986 (age 40)·Russian and Azerbaijani ice dancer·Birthday: May 23·Millennials
Biography
Alexei Sitnikov's career is a story of partnership and perseverance on the international ice dancing circuit. Teaming up with Julia Zlobina under the flag of Azerbaijan, they became the nation's standard-bearers in the discipline. Their journey was built on consistent improvement, marked by victories at smaller international events like the Golden Spin of Zagreb and a silver at the prestigious Nebelhorn Trophy, which often served as an Olympic qualifier. Their peak came at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where they delivered a strong performance to place 12th, a significant achievement for a developing skating nation. Though they never stood on a global championship podium, Sitnikov and Zlobina's decade-long collaboration provided Azerbaijan with a credible and lasting presence in the demanding world of elite ice dance.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Alexei was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alexei Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Alexei's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Represented Azerbaijan with Julia Zlobina, finishing 12th in ice dance at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
- Won the 2013 Golden Spin of Zagreb, a key international senior competition.
- Secured the silver medal at the 2012 Nebelhorn Trophy, a major Olympic qualifying event.
- Achieved a sixth-place finish at the 2014 European Championships.
Did You Know?
He was born in Moscow and began representing Azerbaijan in international competition in 2011.
He and Zlobina were coached by two-time World silver medalist Svetlana Alexeeva.
Their free dance for the 2013-14 Olympic season was set to music from the 'Schindler's List' soundtrack.
He retired from competitive skating after the 2015-16 season.
“Our goal was always to make the ice tell our story with every edge.”
