- Joined
- Feb 27, 2014
This is probably one of the pillars of the different viewsIt is connected with what I have written in the 4th point. In Russian Zhenya is probably taken as the one who defitely settled Russia as great power in ladies figure skating and was holding it there for 3 years. According to slavic mentality, it is even greater achievent than one gold medal. It is her who became role model for girls who try to be figure skaters and for the rest of the country she is a hero for her consistency and ability to do well even under hard circumstances. Just hear TAT's commentary for the last year's Worlds. Zhenya skated as the last of the russian ladies. Maria Sotskova didn't do her best and poor Anna Pogorilaya completely messed it with several falls. Now it was very hard for Zhenya to fulfill her position as a team leader but she was great without any flaws. TAT commented it (at least what my really small abilities to understand russian allow me to understand) in the way that Zhenya proved strenght and great character at such a harsh moment. Next thing is how she defended russian olympians at IOC. My personal attitude to that is different thing but she became no doubt a hero again.
All of this makes her so popular even if she did not bring gold. She represents will and ability to hold fast. There was a sentence from Napoleon: "Shooting a russian soldier is not enough. You just have to kick him to bring him down too." and that is the toughtness she proves.
Alina is great, no doubt about it. But she will also need to proof she is able not only to win herself, but "to hold a fortress for the others" or how could that be said. I think she is completely capable of it but let her have a time for it.
I agree with your points. I like both and respect both. I dont like that some people have to choose one over the other. Thank you for explaining the Slavic mentality and all that goes with that.