Alina Zagitova

[Chinrosy]

Frankly speaking, Alina really hurts people this time. Maybe it's fed's fault not to publish the news in advance, but people will blame Alina.
For me, I'll support her no matter what her decision is, but I feel cheated and disappointed at the same time. I believe many of us have already accepted the fact that Alina might retire sooner or later, I won't feel surprised or upset if she announce it. The problem is, she DOESN'T make any official announcement.
Last year, when she decided to take a rest, she chose a national TV show. But now, it seems that she will never make it clear. Maybe it's all about business now but this dilatory strategy is stupid. I feel sad for Alina if her recent weird decisions were influenced by external factors.
As a figure skating fan, I would like to see her skating in the competition because I fell in love with her and figure skating the first time I saw her fighting on the rink.But as her fan, I wish she could always be happy and healthy. What I don't want to see is that she (or her team) "plays games" with fans and media just like what's happening now. She is a good girl, but she is also an influential celebrity now. She definitely should realize it and try to be wiser.
BTW, I accidentally unfollowed Teamzagitova on ins, when I tried to follow her again, it shows the account is private.... I suppose they received too much negative comments

 

[zounger]

There is a penalty you need to pay by being the wrong girl in this sport and in specific country. Alina is doing her best under the circumstances. See you in her next competition...and if there is not next, I'm going by the Sonny rule...

 

[lopsilceci]

Sorry guys... I don't want to sound mean, but Alina doesn't owe us anything.
I know that feelings are being hurt by all the silence and uncertainty, but this is Alina's life and career. If she hasn't officially announced anything, she must have her reasons.

Maybe she isn't sure herself about her future in figure skating, maybe there's pressure from the federation, we also have no idea about what's going on with her coaching team.

These are not normal times, every single person in the world is dealing with uncertainity about the future and plans that had to be changed because of the crazy stuff going on in the world.

Alina is 18, it's unfair to ask her to make a huge decision about her future right now or know exactly what's going to happen in the future, when no one knows how things are going to be like from now on or if anything's going to be "normal" soon.

Let's give Alina time to figure things out and make any big decisions about her future when and where she feels ready to make such a decision and announce it in her own terms.

 

[Finley]

Like most of the fans here, I always worry about Alina: did she pass the exams, which college had she chosen, was she spending more time with her parents at the dinner table now, ... Deep in my heart, I still wish that Alina could learn a 3A or a quad, and even win the next Olympics.

For many years, Alina was with her grandma alone, far away from her parents. She didn't have a normal life, couldn't talk to her parents often, for example, to improve her language skills. When Alina got admitted to RANEPA in the major of journalism, I was excited but in the mean time thought: wow, a big challenge. Then I read the news that her father quitted his job (probably to join Alina in Moscow?), and I was relieved, because a more normal family life will be a huge help to her study and future career. When I read the news that she joined the ice age show as a co-host, I started to worry again: was she going to be super nervous and screwing up everything? worrying non-stop, why? Because I cherish everything she gave us, and I want her to have the best in the world, so more caring, and more worrying.

I understand that some people are unhappy, and maybe rightly so. But I myself am not upset or sad at all, not a bit. I support Alina's decisions, no matter what. I wish her happy and great success in college study!

You are such a sweet person! What a lovely post :luv17:

 

[Finley]

Frankly speaking, Alina really hurts people this time. Maybe it's fed's fault not to publish the news in advance, but people will blame Alina.
For me, I'll support her no matter what her decision is, but I feel cheated and disappointed at the same time. I believe many of us have already accepted the fact that Alina might retire sooner or later, I won't feel surprised or upset if she announce it. The problem is, she DOESN'T make any official announcement.
Last year, when she decided to take a rest, she chose a national TV show. But now, it seems that she will never make it clear. Maybe it's all about business now but this dilatory strategy is stupid. I feel sad for Alina if her recent weird decisions were influenced by external factors.
As a figure skating fan, I would like to see her skating in the competition because I fell in love with her and figure skating the first time I saw her fighting on the rink.But as her fan, I wish she could always be happy and healthy. What I don't want to see is that she (or her team) "plays games" with fans and media just like what's happening now. She is a good girl, but she is also an influential celebrity now. She definitely should realize it and try to be wiser.
BTW, I accidentally unfollowed Teamzagitova on ins, when I tried to follow her again, it shows the account is private.... I suppose they received too much negative comments

TeamZagitova had to turn off their comments Things were getting ugly. I am glad they are protective of their online space. It's hard to keep anything positive these days.

People are free to blame whoever they want and believe whatever makes them happy.

I don't have any inside information about what is going on. Or who has the final word on Alina's choices and when and how they are announced. I completely understand that people who bought tickets just to see Alina feel played. If they would rather blame Alina than the federation who is actually pocketing that money and directly benefiting from those ticket sales and made a calculated decision to put her image on their posters, then there is no stopping them.

Alina is being blamed for not announcing her decision until now. Coincidentally the exact same time-frame that we learn Aliev is in Germany being treated for injuries, the top two ice dance teams are out with injuries and Danielyan won't be competing due to injury. These skaters did not get injured yesterday. Aliev did not travel to Germany yesterday. The fed knew all of these things and only now decided to let the public know. Clearly they did not want the public to know that certain skaters wouldn't be in attendance and Alina is not exempt from that.

I'm sorry people got hurt. I think Alina is doing the best she can within the confines of a system that she has to work within. I'm not trying to convey anything sinister, just making a statement. We all live like that to some extent. She has contracts with the 1st Channel, RusFed, Sambo70, her coaches and whoever else. None of us know what kind of stipulations are in those contracts. I don't think these are her 'games' but she may very well be bound by the rules.

I don't know Alina as a person. But nothing I have seen from her behavior makes me think that she would deliberately want to mislead her fans (or anyone for that matter) to buy expensive non-refundable tickets under false pretenses. It would be one thing if there was ANYTHING about this situation that even remotely benefited Alina. All I can see is that she is getting another trial by media and more online criticism and blame.

Also she is an 18 year old girl who has the right to change her mind. About anything. I just hope and pray her family is protecting her. I hope that is the reason her father left his job in Kazan so abruptly. To make sure that Alina is taken care of in this situation.

I look forward to the day when RusFed & Sambo70 are just a memory for Alina. The day will come when neither of those entities will control any aspect of her life. Or receive a single euro of her income. Or have one single tie to her. I know that day is not coming anytime soon, but someday.

 

[icybear]

Honestly I never really believed she would compete in the test skate or russian cup. I suppose Alina could have announced it earlier although probably the organisers told her not to to bait her fans tickets

 

[Finley]

Honestly I never really believed she would compete in the test skate or russian cup. I suppose Alina could have announced it earlier although probably the organisers told her not to to bait her fans tickets

I hoped. Hope dies last.

I think they wouldn't allow it.

I truly do feel bad for people who bought tickets and made expensive travel arrangements (hotels & flights) But they will still see Sasha, Zhenya, Anna, Aliona and Kamila and others. It's going to be a beautiful display of skating from World Champs (Jr. & Sr.) National Champs & European Champs. Hopefully, that is some comfort.

 

[Chinrosy]

TeamZagitova had to turn off their comments Things were getting ugly. I am glad they are protective of their online space. It's hard to keep anything positive these days.

People are free to blame whoever they want and believe whatever makes them happy.

I don't have any inside information about what is going on. Or who has the final word on Alina's choices and when and how they are announced. I completely understand that people who bought tickets just to see Alina feel played. If they would rather blame Alina than the federation who is actually pocketing that money and directly benefiting from those ticket sales and made a calculated decision to put her image on their posters, then there is no stopping them.

Alina is being blamed for not announcing her decision until now. Coincidentally the exact same time-frame that we learn Aliev is in Germany being treated for injuries, the top two ice dance teams are out with injuries and Danielyan won't be competing due to injury. These skaters did not get injured yesterday. Aliev did not travel to Germany yesterday. The fed knew all of these things and only now decided to let the public know. Clearly they did not want the public to know that certain skaters wouldn't be in attendance and Alina is not exempt from that.

I'm sorry people got hurt. I think Alina is doing the best she can within the confines of a system that she has to work within. I'm not trying to convey anything sinister, just making a statement. We all live like that to some extent. She has contracts with the 1st Channel, RusFed, Sambo70, her coaches and whoever else. None of us know what kind of stipulations are in those contracts. I don't think these are her 'games' but she may very well be bound by the rules.

I don't know Alina as a person. But nothing I have seen from her behavior makes me think that she would deliberately want to mislead her fans (or anyone for that matter) to buy expensive non-refundable tickets under false pretenses. It would be one thing if there was ANYTHING about this situation that even remotely benefited Alina. All I can see is that she is getting another trial by media and more online criticism and blame.

Also she is an 18 year old girl who has the right to change her mind. About anything. I just hope and pray her family is protecting her. I hope that is the reason her father left his job in Kazan so abruptly. To make sure that Alina is taken care of in this situation.

I look forward to the day when RusFed & Sambo70 are just a memory for Alina. The day will come when neither of those entities will control any aspect of her life. Or receive a single euro of her income. Or have one single tie to her. I know that day is not coming anytime soon, but someday.

I feel sad for Alina if the fed and sambo-70 have too much control over the athletes. On the one hand, it's normal that they make full use of a mature successful athlete. As I know, what they did hurt a lot of athletes before. But on the other hand, Alina has signed with a pretty mature agent. She is not as vulnerable as other young girls because her team can protect her. That's why she can announce her break nationally without any hesitation. If she was manipulated or controlled by any of these organizations, her team can protect her though social media platform and more influential traditional media.

She was prevented to accept interviews after 2019 Russian Nationals, but fans knew it immediately. Her team published the picture of her injury after the Worlds through TeamZagitova. From these cases, I think her team and family really did great job. However, they keep silent this time. It's kinda weird, because the situation is getting worse. Even though she cannot announce her retirement directly, she can make it clear step by step. But to avoid misunderstanding and blame, all these announcements should be spoken by herself. If she decided to quit Russian Cup, she should say it in public rather than keep silent.

It's not the worst situation for Alina, because her leave is predicable. I really hope her team and family can help her handle the problem. Maybe a lot of people think the test skate is her last competition like me (even though it's not a competition), so they buy the ticket. Therefore, Alina's participation means a lot to them.

I have to say, it also proves her popularity :think: Russian test skate tickets is worth buying because there are so many excellent skaters there. But, a lot of people bought tickets just for Alina so they got fury

 

[nussnacker]

I hoped. Hope dies last.

I think they wouldn't allow it.

I truly do feel bad for people who bought tickets and made expensive travel arrangements (hotels & flights) But they will still see Sasha, Zhenya, Anna, Aliona and Kamila and others. It's going to be a beautiful display of skating from World Champs (Jr. & Sr.) National Champs & European Champs. Hopefully, that is some comfort.

No need! Tickets are easily returnable and full refunds are issued within the same day. (Well, at least that’s what I read from people who bought them).
So tickets are barely an excuse to be upset or angry at Alina.

I understand that some fans had their feelings hurt, but come on... would those people honestly want her to do something when it comes at cost of her emotional well-being and happiness?
I think part of the reason she decided to withdraw this late is that she’s not in her best shape, understandably, after a strange off season. I don’t mean, that she decided to withdraw today, obviously she knew for some time.

But I think if for example her shape wasn’t perfect, she imminently runs at risk of another avalanche of backlash for how she skated at test skates, everyone picking apart her performance, TAT letting everyone know her valuable opinion, everyone criticizing her and telling her to retire...

I mean, I think this might just be one of the factors on why she decided things quite late and agreed to do Ice Age in the end. Perhaps she was working and hoping to be at her best form, and then when it didn’t work out, she thought „screw it, do I really want that British Tabloid Megan Markle level media scrutiny for the sake of this non-season?“

I hope, holding on to that hope for dear life, that Alina will have people in her life, whether it’s Eteri or her family, to advise her on how to do it all the best way. If she quits, the best way to do it with a bang, like Havier did. I selfishly don’t want her gpf performances to be a final note in her career, it’s not what she deserves.

 

[Finley]

No need! Tickets are easily returnable and full refunds are issued within the same day. (Well, at least that’s what I read from people who bought them).
So tickets are barely an excuse to be upset or angry at Alina.

I understand that some fans had their feelings hurt, but come on... would those people honestly want her to do something when it comes at cost of her emotional well-being and happiness?
I think part of the reason she decided to withdraw this late is that she’s not in her best shape, understandably, after a strange off season. I don’t mean, that she decided to withdraw today, obviously she knew for some time.

But I think if for example her shape wasn’t perfect, she imminently runs at risk of another avalanche of backlash for how she skated at test skates, everyone picking apart her performance, TAT letting everyone know her valuable opinion, everyone criticizing her and telling her to retire...

I mean, I think this might just be one of the factors on why she decided things quite late and agreed to do Ice Age in the end. Perhaps she was working and hoping to be at her best form, and then when it didn’t work out, she thought „screw it, do I really want that British Tabloid Megan Markle level media scrutiny for the sake of this non-season?“

I hope, holding on to that hope for dear life, that Alina will have people in her life, whether it’s Eteri or her family, to advise her on how to do it all the best way. If she quits, the best way to do it with a bang, like Havier did. I selfishly don’t want her gpf performances to be a final note in her career, it’s not what she deserves.

I want the same!

And I agree with you on every point. I wasn't expecting fans to be happy about her missing test skates. I am surprised at how entitled 'fans' feel to her appearance there. If she feels like she isn't physically capable of giving a performance she can be proud of then so be it. Let her live.

I just assumed the tickets were non-refundable because of the level of butt-hurt. If those tickets are refundable then people really need to pull themselves together. Even the ones who made travel arrangements. It's not like they are flying in to some remote corner of Siberia (no disrespect to Siberia). It's Moscow. You can find something to do to make the trip worth it. Even if they were non-refundable you will be seeing World Class skating! Literally, some of the best in the world.

 

[Finley]

I feel sad for Alina if the fed and sambo-70 have too much control over the athletes. On the one hand, it's normal that they make full use of a mature successful athlete. As I know, what they did hurt a lot of athletes before. But on the other hand, Alina has signed with a pretty mature agent. She is not as vulnerable as other young girls because her team can protect her. That's why she can announce her break nationally without any hesitation. If she was manipulated or controlled by any of these organizations, her team can protect her though social media platform and more influential traditional media.

She was prevented to accept interviews after 2019 Russian Nationals, but fans knew it immediately. Her team published the picture of her injury after the Worlds through TeamZagitova. From these cases, I think her team and family really did great job. However, they keep silent this time. It's kinda weird, because the situation is getting worse. Even though she cannot announce her retirement directly, she can make it clear step by step. But to avoid misunderstanding and blame, all these announcements should be spoken by herself. If she decided to quit Russian Cup, she should say it in public rather than keep silent.

It's not the worst situation for Alina, because her leave is predicable. I really hope her team and family can help her handle the problem. Maybe a lot of people think the test skate is her last competition like me (even though it's not a competition), so they buy the ticket. Therefore, Alina's participation means a lot to them.

I have to say, it also proves her popularity :think: Russian test skate tickets is worth buying because there are so many excellent skaters there. But, a lot of people bought tickets just for Alina so they got fury

Who is this agent? What team? Who is on this team? When have her coaches ever spoken up publicly to defend her against anything? The only time the Team Tut IG account made a post addressing a negative situation was when TAT criticized Alina for only leaving a legacy of 3 programs in her career. The fact that the programs were being degraded was apparently going to far! Renat Laishev, the director of Sambo, actually goes out of his way to say things in interviews that make Alina look bad and compare her negatively to another skater. If this agent/team can protect her they need to start now. As far as I can tell they have done absolutely nothing to protect Alina from anything since the day she won the Olympics.

Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. I would love to be wrong about this. It makes sense that she would have an agent to negotiate her contracts but they clearly are not involved in PR

Her family keeps silent about absolutely everything. They have never addressed, explained, excused or defended any scandal that has been thrown at Alina. Other than Sabina, they have zero presence on social media. I respect the way they have chosen to handle their business and it is not for me to criticize. Personally, I wish they would be more vocal. Like Trusova's father. But it seems to have worked for Alina. She just keeps moving forward.

If not for one photograph that Alina gave permission to be published by her fan account, no one would know about that burn she suffered before Nationals. That is not an example of her 'team' or agent 'handling things'.

 

[nussnacker]

I want the same!

And I agree with you on every point. I wasn't expecting fans to be happy about her missing test skates. I am surprised at how entitled 'fans' feel to her appearance there. If she feels like she isn't physically capable of giving a performance she can be proud of then so be it. Let her live.

I just assumed the tickets were non-refundable because of the level of butt-hurt. If those tickets are refundable then people really need to pull themselves together. Even the ones who made travel arrangements. It's not like they are flying in to some remote corner of Siberia (no disrespect to Siberia). It's Moscow. You can find something to do to make the trip worth it. Even if they were non-refundable you will be seeing World Class skating! Literally, some of the best in the world.

I remembered, she also got sick sometime in the end of July-August and had to quarantine at home for two weeks, thus making regaining her shape even more delayed. If she had a 2+ week break just in August and went back to training after another quarantine, I can’t imagine how she could regain everything this quick by mid September. Rushing it would probably cause unwanted injuries. Heck, she might’ve forgot her choreo. What possible shape can be regained in that amount of time? And do all that for what? For russian cup stages and uncertain perspectives of any international competitions?
So all in all, if we connect all puzzles, it seems like that weird summer just messed everything for her plans.

I do think she still trains, but given what this summer has been, it’s understandable why she doesn’t want to show up just yet. Afterall, her program being choreographed tells me the plans changed within last month or so.

Although, I don’t want to give any of you guys a false sense of hope just sharing my honest thoughts on this. It’s better to expect less and be pleasantly surprised later, than expect a lot and get disappointed. So I advise toi to think Alina will never return and hopefully be pleasantly surprised later!

 

[nussnacker]

Who is this agent? What team? Who is on this team? When have her coaches ever spoken up publicly to defend her against anything? The only time the Team Tut IG account made a post addressing a negative situation was when TAT criticized Alina for only leaving a legacy of 3 programs in her career. The fact that the programs were being degraded was apparently going to far! Renat Laishev, the director of Sambo, actually goes out of his way to say things in interviews that make Alina look bad and compare her negatively to another skater. If this agent/team can protect her they need to start now. As far as I can tell they have done absolutely nothing to protect Alina from anything since the day she won the Olympics.

Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. I would love to be wrong about this. It makes sense that she would have an agent to negotiate her contracts but they clearly are not involved in PR

Her family keeps silent about absolutely everything. They have never addressed, explained, excused or defended any scandal that has been thrown at Alina. Other than Sabina, they have zero presence on social media. I respect the way they have chosen to handle their business and it is not for me to criticize. Personally, I wish they would be more vocal. Like Trusova's father. But it seems to have worked for Alina. She just keeps moving forward.

If not for one photograph that Alina gave permission to be published by her fan account, no one would know about that burn she suffered before Nationals. That is not an example of her 'team' or agent 'handling things'.

I understand you. But I think responding to every single time those „people“ had to say something also wouldn’t have worked. Last time they did, everyone of those people went on to respond back and create an even bigger scandal, it all ended up looking stupid as hell.
So in a way, I think keeping silent sometimes elevates you above those who are down there.

The question is how thick is your skin and how much of that nonsense you can handle. Whether or not you have right people by you who help you to deal with that scrutiny.

Even now TAT gave like 2-3 interviews within a span of 2 weeks on how „Alina‘s definitely done, she ain’t coming back, she was done in December, I stand by my words about 3 programs“... what do you do? Tell her to stop, she says „Go to hell“ back at you?

I don’t know if there’s a way to deal with that bs for non professionals, so I agree they need a freaking PR agent and some representative or consultant, who can help her out in this mess.

 

[Finley]

I remembered, she also got sick sometime in the end of July-August and had to quarantine at home for two weeks, thus making regaining her shape even more delayed. If she had a 2+ week break just in August and went back to training after another quarantine, I can’t imagine how she could regain everything this quick by mid September. Rushing it would probably cause unwanted injuries. Heck, she might’ve forgot her choreo. What possible shape can be regained in that amount of time? And do all that for what? For russian cup stages and uncertain perspectives of any international competitions?
So all in all, if we connect all puzzles, it seems like that weird summer just messed everything for her plans.

I do think she still trains, but given what this summer has been, it’s understandable why she doesn’t want to show up just yet. Afterall, her program being choreographed tells me the plans changed within last month or so.

Although, I don’t want to give any of you guys a false sense of hope just sharing my honest thoughts on this. It’s better to expect less and be pleasantly surprised later, than expect a lot and get disappointed. So I advise toi to think Alina will never return and hopefully be pleasantly surprised later!

I love your posts and I love your optimism. Never change.

I was also worried about a potential injury when I saw the tapes on her knee and ankle. Now that we are hearing about so many injured skaters I can't help but think they pushed too hard too fast to get back in shape after the quarantine lay off. Maybe that was a factor for Alina too? Certainly not the only factor, but maybe part of it.

Since I just posted about Alina's family and how silent they are in the face of any kind of negativity directed at Alina, it's interesting that I just read this on Twitter -

https://twitter.com/YaNeHomyak/status/1303796174659481600

 

[Finley]

I understand you. But I think responding to every single time those „people“ had to say something also wouldn’t have worked. Last time they did, everyone of those people went on to respond back and create an even bigger scandal, it all ended up looking stupid as hell.
So in a way, I think keeping silent sometimes elevates you above those who are down there.

The question is how thick is your skin and how much of that nonsense you can handle. Whether or not you have right people by you who help you to deal with that scrutiny.

Even now TAT gave like 2-3 interviews within a span of 2 weeks on how „Alina‘s definitely done, she ain’t coming back, she was done in December, I stand by my words about 3 programs“... what do you do? Tell her to stop, she says „Go to hell“ back at you?

I don’t know if there’s a way to deal with that bs for non professionals, so I agree they need a freaking PR agent and some representative or consultant, who can help her out in this mess.

I am just going to follow you around the Golden Skate forum saying "I agree!" to every one of your posts. (Don't worry, I am a friendly stalker.)

If you want a fire to go out, don't feed it. Don't give it oxygen. Just keeping your mouth shut can save you so much trouble. If you don't say it, they can't use it against you.

Every time anyone responds to something it creates a brand new media cycle and every person who has ever skated feels the need to chime in with their take on it. Better to keep silent. Eventually, they move on to something else.

But the Russian media are nothing if not persistent. For the love of God, they are still asking Roman Kostomarov what he thinks about Alina not skating this season. I almost feel sorry for him.

 

[nussnacker]

I always think of a phrase „No matter how good you are to everyone in your life, you’ll always end up a villain in somebody else’s book“.

In a way it sums up the whole ticket debacle and Alina’s story.
No matter how good she is, there are some SE level journalists to turn everything upside down in their articles and hate on her.
No matter how good she is to her fed, they go on to do harm to her with this Test Skate stupidity.
No matter how many times she proves honesty to her fans, there would be those who will doubt her and turn on her in moments like this.

Alina should take this phrase to heart and just keep going with her head up, hire that PR agent and just know she has people by her side, who try and make an effort to understand her and what’s going on behind the scenes, not just the facade.

I understand why doesn’t say anything definite. If that quarantine #2 caused her plans to go south, she can’t possibly know herself how long it will take her to get in shape, if she gets sick again and doesn’t deliver on her initial promise it would look even worse. I’m sure once she’s certain, she’ll let everyone know loud and clear.

 

[Scott512]

Who is this agent? What team? Who is on this team? When have her coaches ever spoken up publicly to defend her against anything? The only time the Team Tut IG account made a post addressing a negative situation was when TAT criticized Alina for only leaving a legacy of 3 programs in her career. The fact that the programs were being degraded was apparently going to far! Renat Laishev, the director of Sambo, actually goes out of his way to say things in interviews that make Alina look bad and compare her negatively to another skater. If this agent/team can protect her they need to start now. As far as I can tell they have done absolutely nothing to protect Alina from anything since the day she won the Olympics.

Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong. I would love to be wrong about this. It makes sense that she would have an agent to negotiate her contracts but they clearly are not involved in PR

Her family keeps silent about absolutely everything. They have never addressed, explained, excused or defended any scandal that has been thrown at Alina. Other than Sabina, they have zero presence on social media. I respect the way they have chosen to handle their business and it is not for me to criticize. Personally, I wish they would be more vocal. Like Trusova's father. But it seems to have worked for Alina. She just keeps moving forward.

If not for one photograph that Alina gave permission to be published by her fan account, no one would know about that burn she suffered before Nationals. That is not an example of her 'team' or agent 'handling things'.

Amazing post.

Why would the director of sambo-70 to Alina? They may never produce another skater at her level. They should be good to her.

It's okay that Alina is missing a season. With all she's done I'm sure she does not want to train as hard as possible then not even to have a season where to get injured and someone and her Fan Fest list of all the Russian skaters missing test skates because they're already injured. Sad. But this is not a normal season people did not have a normal offseason to train show injuries are going to be prevalent more so than usual.

And for people wanting her to announce her retirement or wondering why she didn't pretty obvious she's not planning on retiring at this time. People also have to cut Alina some slack she's learning to do this on the fly at age 18.

Also if she announces her retirement and then gets the itch to train and have a normal season next year if covid-19 is under control
then people will be mad that she retired and then came back. Alina may not come back in a year or probably won't come back but let's hope she does.

We can worry about a lot of the skaters this year having to worry about catching covid-19 and injuring themselves because they're not in their normal September shape. Alina will be chilling and go into University doing Ice Age Kids and maybe some shows if they come back. Spending some time with her family that she's missed for the last six or seven years. Alina is doing what she wants to do. More power to her because so few of us get to do that in life.

 

[Scott512]

Frankly speaking, Alina really hurts people this time. Maybe it's fed's fault not to publish the news in advance, but people will blame Alina.
For me, I'll support her no matter what her decision is, but I feel cheated and disappointed at the same time. I believe many of us have already accepted the fact that Alina might retire sooner or later, I won't feel surprised or upset if she announce it. The problem is, she DOESN'T make any official announcement.
Last year, when she decided to take a rest, she chose a national TV show. But now, it seems that she will never make it clear. Maybe it's all about business now but this dilatory strategy is stupid. I feel sad for Alina if her recent weird decisions were influenced by external factors.
As a figure skating fan, I would like to see her skating in the competition because I fell in love with her and figure skating the first time I saw her fighting on the rink.But as her fan, I wish she could always be happy and healthy. What I don't want to see is that she (or her team) "plays games" with fans and media just like what's happening now. She is a good girl, but she is also an influential celebrity now. She definitely should realize it and try to be wiser.
BTW, I accidentally unfollowed Teamzagitova on ins, when I tried to follow her again, it shows the account is private.... I suppose they received too much negative comments

Alina hurts people this time? Hmmm no.
If someone is hurt or upset that she is taking the season off that's on them not her.. I also think the most of her fans thought Alina would skip this season the covid season.
She could have announced there would be no test skates a couple weeks ago but maybe she was planning on holding out hope that she could skate. Maybe once she saw all her compatriot figure skaters injured and there are a lot of them she decided not to skate. Maybe the FED blew it and they knew she wasn't going to do texst skates but they didn't announce it until today.

Why would people be writing negative comments on her team Zagatitova Instagram page? That people are upset with her for not doing test skates and not skating this season is something these people have to look at themselves in the mirror about. That is just not right. Alina hurt no one. She has been attacked and hurt non-stop since she won the Olympic gold medal for her to continue to have to put up with crap is just unbelievable. I hope she enjoys University and the Ice Age kid shows and gets to skate and some actual shows herself when they covet situation is better. But that won't be anytime soon.

It's also time for Aluna to get the best legal representation and PR firm in Moscow. Time for people to have her back on and off the ice besides her fans and family.

 

[Finley]

Amazing post.

Why would the director of sambo-70 to Alina? They may never produce another skater at her level. They should be good to her.

It's okay that Alina is missing a season. With all she's done I'm sure she does not want to train as hard as possible then not even to have a season where to get injured and someone and her Fan Fest list of all the Russian skaters missing test skates because they're already injured. Sad. But this is not a normal season people did not have a normal offseason to train show injuries are going to be prevalent more so than usual.

And for people wanting her to announce her retirement or wondering why she didn't pretty obvious she's not planning on retiring at this time. People also have to cut Alina some slack she's learning to do this on the fly at age 18.

Also if she announces her retirement and then gets the itch to train and have a normal season next year if covid-19 is under control
then people will be mad that she retired and then came back. Alina may not come back in a year or probably won't come back but let's hope she does.

We can worry about a lot of the skaters this year having to worry about catching covid-19 and injuring themselves because they're not in their normal September shape. Alina will be chilling and go into University doing Ice Age Kids and maybe some shows if they come back. Spending some time with her family that she's missed for the last six or seven years. Alina is doing what she wants to do. More power to her because so few of us get to do that in life.

Thank you, Scott.

Some people are so obsessed with Alina officially declaring her retirement, that I hope she continues NOT to do so just to annoy them. She's 18 years old. It's understandable that she isn't ready to let go of something that has been her whole life. It's also understandable that she is discovering new possibilities for herself outside of the ice rink and she wants to explore them. New challenges and new dreams. I wish more people could be happy for her but you can't please everyone.

Whoever is complaining about her being named to the National team needs to take that up with the RusFed. They are the ones who put her there. I'm sure they have reasons for doing so or they wouldn't do it. And I'm also sure those reasons are financial.

The director of Sambo70, Renat Layshev, is an absolute mystery to me. If he isn't crazy or drunk when he is giving these interviews, then maybe it is something I cannot understand for cultural (and possibly even generational) reasons.

For those that can't find Alina interesting separate from skating, I understand. I hope you find other skaters to love and enjoy. I will always miss her skating and hope that she continues. But it's also exciting to see her spread her wings and find another life for herself.

 

[klena]

Alina and Sabina :luv17:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9Fp5YJIhf/?igshid=1nk53cr02xzxj

Alina, yesterday in Khrustalny (still training :thumbsup
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE841f8Igfz/