Oh lord sometimes is to difficult to explain simples things. Just take a look at olympic's results for all sports and check who is always in the top 5. USA always win by far from others countries in the summer's olympics and during winter olympic's this year for example was in 4th. The only one which really get close is China with all that crazy methods they use. Noruega was in first, look the size of Noruega compared to Russia. Better, look for Noruega's population and Russia's population. Look the top 5 and then say that population's income does not matter.
I am not putting Russia down talking about it. I come from Brazil, which is much worst in so many points.
Russia has a history with FS, they girls have the perfect body, the perfect artistic ''side'' that come from ballet genes. Amazing coaches and great structure to prepare amazing athletes to be competing in the future. But believe me, a lot of girls may have all the tallent but does not have the structure. Look for Eteri's team, almost all of them are from Moscow. Russia is the biggest country in the world. A lot of girls maybe does not have the same opportunity because of many reasons, location, income and everything else. In spite of that Russia will always be a strong country in FS.
Anyway..Im done with that topic! Only thing that I need to clarify is that for me, I give extra bonus for Alina for all that. Her life was not easy, and be able to be the kind of athlete that she is is the result of too many eforts from her and her family, like live alone, in a small apartment, with that fact that her family can't be by her side because it must be expensive for them, etc For me, she becomes even more special because of that. But she still being part of the lucky's girls who had her familly to support her with financial needs and etc.