Evgenia Medvedeva

[flanker]

Wow big words...war against Eteri. Looks like you have really a problem with people who disagree with you. But you got not decided what people here post or write (maybe you forgot already the first may week). This is Zhenya´s fanfest and we have everyright to question Eteri! If you do not see mistakes in Eteri´s coaching methods, then thats fine but there are many people who see it differently.

So open an Eteri fanfest(if one does not exist), I think you are one of her big fans.

What disagreement? Thre was hardly any argument about which we could agree or disagree, there was only blaming since 5th may. I did not read any logical argument that I should remember and accept about this particular thing. I just don't understand how being fan of someone means hating someone (even when the person whose fan I should be does not say anything taht could be aimed against the latter person) and that's all, how that means I have any problem with disagreement.

The things written here can't be even called questioning. Writing some fabulated contend of Zhenya's and Alina's talk before final ceremony is hardly questioning. That was the most ridiculous thing I've evere read here. If there would be at least some real solid info about Zhenya-Eteri relationship etc., than yes, but nearly all what was written here about is just expression of someone's personal feelings about Eteri (often not even related to Zhenya).

So my impression is that whats going here is complete conversion of fanfest into hatefest. Some days more about Eteri than Zhenya. That's why I consider your logic twisted a little. That should be just the opposite. If someone wanna have a place aimed at that particular thing or person (no matter if the contend would be solid-based or just personal), than he is the one who is entitled to create special thread to it, hooray, let's have it . But as I've said, this is Zhenya's fan thread.

 

[Sugar Coated]

There Eteri said about parents role and she is more for teamwork with them https://rsport.ria.ru/interview/20170505/1120015384.html
And Meds grandmother was seen in the training in the last movie and Yulia's mother got job on their rink if remember it right.
I try to say safer not to cause anger in Med fanfest, it's not that parents do not know anything, they just work together with Eteri. How specifically this team works it was shown in her interview to Vogue, I translated it somewhere on this forum.

Thanks! This is helpful. I’ll look for the translation.

 

[ramed]

... The thing that really stood out to me was how long Zhenya and Alina hugged after the scores were announced. She was obligated to hug and congratulate her, but I imagined this would be very short and stiff. This would be understandable, this was the person who beat her at her ultimate goal, in that moment it would be very hard for someone so highly competitive to genuinely hug their competitor, even if they otherwise were friends. But you can clearly see Alina comforting her. And Alina mentions that what was said in those moments was only for them, that no one else could know. I saw this as Zhenya going to the only person who could understand what she’s really been through these last few years. They were united in their shared experience of abuse.

"I couldn't hear what they were talking about but clearly they were talking about being abused by mean Eteri." Period. No more comments.

 

[Sugar Coated]

"I couldn't hear what they were talking about but clearly they were talking about being abused by mean Eteri." Period. No more comments.

Well, I’ll say this - when the rumors surfaced very few people believed that Zhenya would leave. And by my reading of their history and interactions I knew that it was true. Girl was out of there.

If Eteri had not publicly bashed Zhenya, I would agree that we should limit the hate-fest. But she did.

I also find it funny that people question why the sports psychologist from Russia didn’t voice her concerns earlier. But when people voice concern in this thread it’s dismissed. Eteri has a pattern of skaters leaving. And she behaved really inappropriately toward the skater she claimed to care deeply about. I think that’s enough to question her behavior. But if this should go in a different thread, I’m happy to move there.

 

[yoloaxel]

Could we just not discuss Eteri here? Just open a discussion if you want to talk about her methods, whether you’re pro or against them so we can discuss Zhenya here

 

[skatingfan200]

So my impression is that whats going here is complete conversion of fanfest into hatefest.[/B] Some days more about Eteri than Zhenya. That's why I consider your logic twisted a little. That should be just the opposite. If someone wanna have a place aimed at that particular thing or person (no matter if the contend would be solid-based or just personal), than he is the one who is entitled to create special thread to it, hooray, let's have it . But as I've said, this is Zhenya's fan thread.

This is simply not true. Just because one interview with a sport psychologist who do not share your opinion=hatefest?! This sport psychologist talks about both Zhenya and Eteri. So this fanfest is the rightfull place. Maybe in the future you should just ignore post who you dislike. But many zhenya fans found this content interesting.
And stop with this ridiculous accusation that my logic twisted. Zhenya pics or interviews are the things what i posted the most.

But as I've said, this is Zhenya's fan thread

Good. End of story.

 

[Scott512]

For what it’s worth, I’m also a former athlete who is now a psychologist and I’m looking to potentially respecialize in sports psychology sometime in the future. I was drawn to the Russian figure skaters at first because of their amazing performances at the olympics and was then curious about the dynamic of training under the same coach. But as I really watched Eteri’s body language and then learned more from several documentaries, I came to really question Eteri and her methods. Anyone committing abuse knows enough to censor themselves somewhat on camera, so I don’t think you can really know what goes on behind closed doors. And remember she doesn’t let parents watch training. The fact that almost every student leaves Eteri at a certain point says something. The consensus is that she can’t coach athletes past a certain age, which im sure is a part of it, but I think it’s also the age when children become old enough to be trusted to make decisions for themselves.

I don’t think one can really understand what it’s like to train under a coach who is a crazy narcissist control freak unless you’ve been through it or something similar. It absolutely is abuse and comparing it to slave labor is actually not a bad analogy. An athletes body is no longer their own, it must completely obey the coach despite injuries, pain, exhaustion, etc. Yes, sometimes coaches need to push an athlete and may utilize yelling and psychological means. But the athlete should always have some level of agency - at that level they are already self-motivated to work extremely hard and they need to trust themselves, not their coach, if they are in physical pain. It’s this absolute authoritarian obedience and submission that is problematic.

Eteri herself has said that they must completely submit to the coach without question. Which Zhenya did. She endured all the abuse, completely trusted her coach, did everything she possibly could because she was told this would make her a champion. I knew she had to leave Eteri at some point after this - she could no longer believe that what she endured was necessary and questioned her trust in Eteri.

The thing that really stood out to me was how long Zhenya and Alina hugged after the scores were announced. She was obligated to hug and congratulate her, but I imagined this would be very short and stiff. This would be understandable, this was the person who beat her at her ultimate goal, in that moment it would be very hard for someone so highly competitive to genuinely hug their competitor, even if they otherwise were friends. But you can clearly see Alina comforting her. And Alina mentions that what was said in those moments was only for them, that no one else could know. I saw this as Zhenya going to the only person who could understand what she’s really been through these last few years. They were united in their shared experience of abuse.

What an amazing post.

I too enjoyed Zhenya hugging Alina. it was a special moment and we all wonder what was said but it should remain private. I think both girls were empty at that point.

Also it was cute that Alina out of respect for Zhenya and Eteri did not celebrate too much around Zhenya who badly wanted gold and Eteri who wanted gold for Zhenya. But Eteri more than anything wanted gold and silver from her top 2. Anything less would have been a disaster for the coach. Now Zhenya has done what most people fail to do and thats seperate from a successful working relationship. Zhenya did it and I wish her well. 11 years together with Eteri is remarkable. They both will be fine in their new arrangement. Their breakup was painful and the media went bonkers. Okay. Now Zhenya is healthy lets see what happens and how she develops and if she can stay on top of Eteri's angels. Evgenia knows how good they are. It will be a fascinating next few years thats for sure.

 

[ramed]

This is simply not true. Just because one interview with a sport psychologist who do not share your opinion=hatefest?! This sport psychologist talks about both Zhenya and Eteri. So this fanfest is the rightfull place. Maybe in the future you should just ignore post who you dislike. But many zhenya fans found this content interesting.
And stop with this ridiculous accusation that my logic twisted. Zhenya pics or interviews are the things what i posted the most.


Good. End of story.

This recent influx of anti-Eterians is ridiculous. All the self-proclaimed nutritionists, psychologists and other "I'm the one in the know" types bashing Eteri are everywhere now. flanker, you were way too polite when you asked to stop that.

 

[50 Words for Snow]

That’s not what I’m saying at all. Navy seals undergo literal torture to become resistant to it because it’s necessary for combat. Children, who are not yet legally allowed to make their own decisions about their lives, should not endure the same treatment as soldiers. Also, this sort of training and combat leaves people physically and emotionally scarred. I have no problem with intense 9 hour trainings. I do have a problem with a coach who is not a registered dietitian preventing children from eating. I also have a problem with physically dragging a young crying child around a rink when she misses a jump. And I have a problem with a certain level of screaming and unnecessary belittling of children. Adults can decide if they want to endure it or not, I wouldn’t have a problem if eteri was coaching only adults as they have the autonomy to decide if they want to endure it. Children are vulnerable.

It reminds me of the Russian gymnast who got paralyzed in training and her first thought was relief that now she wouldn’t have to compete in the olympics. These athletes are put under enormous pressure and endure training that the average person cannot understand. And even when they succeed it’s not necessarily healthy or something they look back on fondly. Michael Phelps recently talked about how he was suicidal after the olympics.

Michael Phelps was suicidal after retirement; the fact that he retired after his final Olympics is likely incidental. I agree with the rest of your statement, though.

 

[flanker]

This is simply not true. Just because one interview with a sport psychologist who do not share your opinion=hatefest?!

I spoke about Sugar Coated and similar posts here, that was misunderstanding between us. Thats one thing.

The other thing is that he or anybody else is of course completely entitled having what opinion he has, you, him, even me But filling the whole thread (no, that really isn't about "one comment", just try to look at it from nonpraticipating angle) with just personal contend is what is damaging it. You completely missed that I did not write anything about what I think about Eteri, I didn't talk about her methods (good or bad), my point is absolutely elsewhere. This is Zhenya's thread. So discussing Zhenya is the main purpose here. You want to "question Eteri"? Fine. Suit yourself, make a thread. Blame her, defend her, objectively or subjectively, I don't care, it's about you (all). But in the proper place.

Good. End of story.

OK, no matter if my words shall have any impact, I will try not to discuss this again. If this will be about Zhenya (and Eteri will be mentioned with some solid logic and realitonto Zhenya) I will be glad to read this thread again (believe or not, I'm really curious what I will learn new about her trainings, new style etc.). If not, I tried, at least, but probably will be forced not to pay attention to it anymore (I know, that's not a loss ).

 

[skatingfan200]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpMb87rGam8
Pantene event

 

[yoloaxel]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BixBfo7ANiE/ super cute drawing of Zhenya with Gabby and Lil Bet

 

[lastremnant]

Arrrrrrrg!!! Is it really this long until the new season starts??? Feels like forever...

 

[astudyofmemory]

Arrrrrrrg!!! Is it really this long until the new season starts??? Feels like forever...

She has Fantasy on Ice at the end of May and Heroes & Future in June so we should see her soon. :agree: But I'm also very eager for her move to Toronto, so the wait for the new season is killing me too!

 

[Hello from Brazil]

Don't forget the ISU Congress in early June, it will be interesting to see how the skaters will adapt to the possible new rules!

 

[yoloaxel]

She has Fantasy on Ice at the end of May and Heroes & Future in June so we should see her soon. :agree: But I'm also very eager for her move to Toronto, so the wait for the new season is killing me too!

I'm really excited to see what she'll do at FoI, but I'm way more excited about her finally moving to Toronto

 

[flanker]

I've seen Alina's shots from above at the OG, but I don't remember if I've seen similar with Zhenya. So here it is, or at least part of her SP: https://www.instagram.com/p/BixQ2ZSBWX4/

 

[OswinOswald]

I'm really excited to see what she'll do at FoI, but I'm way more excited about her finally moving to Toronto

Everyone is
It is still great to see her before that, though.

I've seen Alina's shots from above at the OG, but I don't remember if I've seen similar with Zhenya. So here it is, or at least part of her SP: https://www.instagram.com/p/BixQ2ZSBWX4/

It may sounds stupid, but that kind of camera movements makes it even more mesmerizing

 

[Scott512]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpMb87rGam8
Pantene event

5he loves meeting the public at events like these.

 

[50 Words for Snow]

It may sounds stupid, but that kind of camera movements makes it even more mesmerizing

I was really drawn into it when they showed the top view of her spiral; that was really cool!

5he loves meeting the public at events like these.

I wish she'd come meet the public at some events in the United States; I'd love to tell her to her face how awesome she is!