What I don't like is the attempts to boil down the anti-Zhenya sentiment in Russia to her "betraying Russia". That's the reason that has not shown up for quite a while (with the exemption of some die-hard h*ers) so that I would urge to stop spreading it here.
The main 3 points that stir the negative fuzz are:
1. Zhenya's changing the narrative. Today she says: "Stop it, we continue to work with my coach". Tomorrow she goes to Orser. Today she says: "I think that Liza is better equipped for the coming WC". Tomorrow she says: "If I am chosen for WC, I shall do my best".
2. Zhenya's potential running for WC spot at the expense of Liza despite the weak season and because of strong support from some influential people.
3. Zhenya's aggressive support groups who keep attacking Alina with her doing nothing about it.
For the record, I personally do not engage into all of this. I don't write on Russian sites and I will be happy whoever of Liza or Zhenya go to Saitama.
About the three main points:
1. In general: Opinions change. Yours do, mine do, and yes, even Zhenya’s do. And in all honesty, the only examples I got from people for “Zhenya changing the narrative“ were along the lines of her coaching change plus having different arguments about why she did it and her having different idols. Which is, if you think about it, completely normal but people don‘t seem to get that. I‘m sure that if you asked me certain things and compared the answers to the ones I‘d given a year, or sometimes even less time, months, weeks, ago, they would be different. Because that‘s what happens. So, Zhenya having a change of mind about the coaching change or other things is, in fact, a totally normal thing. And actually, this is so far gone now and all parties seemed to have moved on. For people to still talk about this so extensively and use it as a reason to spread hate is, frankly, beyond ridiculous.
Also, I do not even get what the second argument is supposed to mean or how it‘s changing the narrative in any way. ”Liza is better equipped to go to Worlds“ and “However, if I get chosen, I will do my best and aim to win“ do not contradict each other in any way. What people need to understand is that none of this is Zhenya‘s decision. She is a competitor, of course she wants to go. She would be silly if she willingly let go the opportunity if presented.
2. Actually, that‘s not only about support from influential people, even if that‘s certainly a part of it. Let‘s not deny Zhenya has support from TAT and co. But in the end, what rusfed wants are the three spots and medals. They should make tactic choices and take those girls with them that are the best bests to get them that. That‘s why, even though it might seem unfair: Zhenya is considered. Because she has a significant PCS advantage over Liza. If Liza doesn‘t land the 3A, it‘s game over. Whereas Zhenya does have her reputation and seems to be on an upward trajectory. And she did win Russian Cup Final which by RusFed‘s own words was a official part of choosing the Worlds team. So, what could people blame Zhenya for, exactly? For participating in the first place? For winning? Well, let‘s not discuss scoring but again, even if she was overscored (imo, all three of the Worlds ladies were) none of this is her fault. It‘s quite senseless to hate on people for something they can‘t do anything against.
3. Objectively speaking, both girls have these crazy fan groups. Something like this always happens. But I fiercely disagree with the: “and her doing nothing about it“ part. Seriously? It‘s better she stays out of that drama, altogether. Why should she, or Alina or anyone for that matter, have to lecture their fan groups, especially if they‘re so hateful. That‘s not the girls‘ responsibility! And for the record, Zhenya has spoken more than once in interviews about her relationship to Alina pre and post Olympics and made it very clear that from her side, there was never a fight between them. And that she thought that the judging was fair. What else is she supposed to do?
Just so that it’s clear: I‘m not aiming this at you, as you‘ve said, you don‘t engage in Russian sites. But the arguments being used by those people are senseless and I wish some of these hater.s used a bit more of common sense. It‘s quite ridiculous but also incredibly shocking what‘s being written about all of these girls. Neither Alina nor Zhenya deserve to be dragged into this fanwar. And neither of them deserves any hate because what they’ve done and continue to do everyday is nothing but admirable. They should be left alone.
eally after the Cup Final the public outcry about it has gotten heavier and heavier.
