Popova won ice dancing gold with partner Sergey Mozgov at the Winter Universiade but retired less than a year later at the age of 23 after realizing she had lost "moments of happiness and many smiles" through the rigors of preparing to compete.

Her exacting schedule and efforts to lose tiny amounts of weight during her time off took their toll as the Moscow-based former junior medalist developed an eating disorder and feared she would never feel like a success in a life consumed by her sport.

"There was supposed to be a photograph from graduation but it is not there," she explained on Instagram.

"Being a very responsible athlete, I could not even think about exchanging workouts for graduation.

"Only now I understand how many bright moments of my life were missed just like that.

"I was never afraid to miss the events that happen only once in my life and was mortally afraid to miss the workout that happened twice a day.

"How clouded my mind was and how perverted my priorities were.

"Today, looking back, I understand that to deny myself simple human joys was a crime. I stole my childhood dreams, moments of happiness and many smiles."

Despite remaining very close to world and European figure skating champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Popova said her only time off during her career was two days after each competition, adding that she was a "crazy fanatic" and knows no-one outside of the sport.

"I had no time for friends entertainment or first love," she revealed.

"All my thoughts were about training, studying and not eating. Coaches cultivated these thoughts and fears non-stop in my head.

"I could spend four free hours a day [exercising] just to lose an extra 100 grams.

"Later, thoughts began to appear in my head that with such a slavish approach imposed on me, no-one could have become successful.

"An empty person is of no interest to anyone, no matter how devoted they are to their work."