That's one of the important parts of Alina¨s personality - never make others responsible for her own fate. When she makes a mistake, she maybe finds some quiet corner where she has a private weep, but then she gets up and does it again till she is satisfied.
This! And she said so herself in many interviews. Her character is the character of every great sportsperson: always control your own fate, always strive for the best result, never give up and don't let anybody bring you down.
To judge by how she looked in the Champions on Ice shows, Alina is at the peak of her powers now. Almost fully grown, battle hardened and wise beyond belief. And we haven't heard her Osgood Schlatter's condition is detoriating, it might even be bettering.
So from the physical condition, there is no reason to quit.
If she decides to quit at the height of her career, what are her options?
Can she all by herself really stand alone, financially independent while still being a youth?
Unlike her namesake Alina Kabayeva who after an illustrious career winning every Gold medal of importance entered high society, I cannot imagine our Alina at almost 17 years of age really wanting to live the life of a society superstar.
Our Alina is reserved and a little shy by character, quite level headed I always thought, she'll be boring to the other members of the jet set.
Will our Alina really be pleased by the undivided attention of the society gossip press dissecting every moment of her days and nights, her love life, her boyfriends, the contents of her clothes locker, her hair, paparazzi chasing after every little detail always out to create a scandal?
One can be reasonably certain Alina, her parents, Eteri Georgyevna, FFKKR counsellors etc have discussed the options available to her now and in the not too distant future if Alina wants to continue skating.
I think she'll prefer to live the life of a figure skater just a little longer, the predictable and comforting daily routine of training with her friends and familiar members of staff at Khrustalniy. The thrill of learning new elements, new programs, and competing them together with the best skaters in the world in many competitions.
Nobody is sure and certain of what 2019-2020 season will bring, but I think Alina just wants to try her hardest to bring out the best in herself again and postpone her other options and plans till same time next year.
By the time she is 18 and a legal adult, she can decide for herself and together with trustworthy advisors start making other plans.
The character she showed this season is admirable. Being able to compete when growing, when everyone scrutinizes her every move and waits for her to fail was courageous.
