2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[readernick]

I don't think it's in our place to criticize RusFed. We maybe think they have a more "pragmatic" view and "life goes on" kind of strategy. But that's their choice. It's not like there isn't any precautions. We have recently learned e.g. that Gubanova has been quarantined, not because she was ill, but her mother was. And that was the reason she didn't compete at the Russian Cup Stages. Same with Sakhanovich, who got injured during quarantine.
Criticizing RusFed for having competitions is quite rude IMO.

The more recent competitions (after the superspreader event that was Rostelecom) have had precautions. The first few Russian Cup stages and Rostelecom did not have the same precautions (testing and so on) and that is how a lot of these skaters got COVID. Now, if the skaters who are adults were properly informed then they knew the risks they were taking and they are responsible for their own actions, but a lot of skaters are still minors and so I do think it is fair to criticize RusFed for their decision to endanger their minor athletes. Aliona K. (a minor) is having breathing problems, Anna S. (a minor) had pneumonia. I think it ok to be "rude"when minors' health is at stake.

 

[TripleAxelQueens3]

Health should always be placed first, so while I am sad that Alyona will not be competing, I'm glad she's taking the time to heal. It doesn't look like there will be any huge competition this season, and even if there were worlds, if Liza is also not in great shape (which, she just resumed training so I won't assume she's at her peak), then they might have another skate-off at Russian Cup Final, which gives both of them plenty of time to recover.

 

[Jontor]

The more recent competitions (after the superspreader event that was Rostelecom) have had precautions. The first few Russian Cup stages and Rostelecom did not have the same precautions (testing and so on) and that is how a lot of these skaters got COVID. Now, if the skaters who are adults were properly informed then they knew the risks they were taking and they are responsible for their own actions, but a lot of skaters are still minors and so I do think it is fair to criticize RusFed for their decision to endanger their minor athletes. Aliona K. (a minor) is having breathing problems, Anna S. (a minor) had pneumonia. I think it ok to be "rude"when minors' health is at stake.

These minors have parents that are responsible for them.
But I find it a bit of a double standard to criticize because of the unknown risks of COVID 19. Figure Skating is a high risk sport with LOTS of injuries all the time. Fractures, Hip problems, Back problems. Why not close down this sport alltogehter? If we are worried about minors health, we should.

 

[Fried]

Medvedeva got Covid when she was in the hospital for a minor procedure not when she was training.

This is your personal interpretation that you are trying to sell as fact here. The fact that Covid was found in the hospital says NOTHING about where the infection took place.

 

[readernick]

These minors have parents that are responsible for them.
But I find it a bit of a double standard to criticize because of the unknown risks of COVID 19. Figure Skating is a high risk sport with LOTS of injuries all the time. Fractures, Hip problems, Back problems. Why not close down this sport altogehter? If we are worried about minors health, we should.

A far argument. Honestly, I do think there are arguments to be made in favor of not allowing minors to compete in figure skating similar to what you mentioned above. However, I also think this is different because some injuries can't be avoided even with proper care from responsible adults. However, with a few simple precautions many of these COVID infections could have been prevented. With a little more consideration, Russian nationals could have been rescheduled so skaters didn't feel pressured to quickly get back to training after just be recovering from pneumonia. The Russian federation had it in their power to reduce the risk, they chose not to.... Is it their right to make that choice? Certainly, but I also have the right to criticize that choice.

 

[kirauza343]

These minors have parents that are responsible for them.
But I find it a bit of a double standard to criticize because of the unknown risks of COVID 19. Figure Skating is a high risk sport with LOTS of injuries all the time. Fractures, Hip problems, Back problems. Why not close down this sport altogehter? If we are worried about minors health, we should.

Injuries are very different from a global pandemic. Injuries are a part of any sport and mitigating them is very important, but injuries aren’t contagious. If you go to a competition with say a back injury you’re putting yourself at risk and really shouldn’t be competing, but you also aren’t risking spreading that back injury to anyone you come in contact with (let alone to someone who is at a high risk for complications).

 

[Giltedge]

Some people who initially experience almost no symptoms of COVID will go on to have rather long last effects from the disease. Although the reduced lung capacity that this brings for some people is irritating for a regular person, it is obvious more serious for an athlete. I can't believe how irresponsible all of those in power in Russia have been with COVID. As a result, many skaters are withdrawing and others, like Anna (who had pneumonia .....haha) and Liza who had COVID will be going into this competition without proper training. I just hope no one else gets seriously hurt or injured this year. And, I am so sorry that Alena (definitely one of my favorite skaters) has been forced to withdraw. They should have postponed nationals.

"...like Anna (who had pneumonia .....haha)" Seriously, pneumonia Ha Ha very funny?
Whatever the intent behind it (I cannot guess and make no attempt to), this comment evinces the same sort of sensitivity level as Reuters' and Bloomberg's summer headline "Experts Want to Know Why Coronavirus Hasn’t Killed More Russians" which roused such a surge of disgust among their readers.
Can people not try to be just a little more sensitive. People who talk in these terms should remind themselves that these are minors they are demeaning.

 

[[email protected]]

These minors have parents that are responsible for them.
But I find it a bit of a double standard to criticize because of the unknown risks of COVID 19. Figure Skating is a high risk sport with LOTS of injuries all the time. Fractures, Hip problems, Back problems. Why not close down this sport altogehter? If we are worried about minors health, we should.

I absolutely agree that those (skaters, parents, coaches, fed) who make specific decisions have better information and they also bear responsibility for their actions unlike all other parties who feel "concerned".

My personal information with my wife just fresh from coronavirus and the rest of the family still intact tells me that for the first time in 5 years I am going to miss Rusnats. I feel that the risk is too big, I won't go and it's my decision. But if I made up my mind and went to Chelyabinsk the last thing I would wish to hear would be "concerned voices".

 

[readernick]

"...like Anna (who had pneumonia .....haha)" Seriously, pneumonia Ha Ha very funny?
Whatever the intent behind it (I cannot guess and make no attempt to), this comment evinces the same sort of sensitivity level as Reuters' and Bloomberg's summer headline "Experts Want to Know Why Coronavirus Hasn’t Killed More Russians" which roused such a surge of disgust among their readers.
Can people not try to be just a little more sensitive. People who talk in these terms should remind themselves that these are minors they are demeaning.

It was a bad turn of phrase and I apologize. It was intended to show scepticism at her problem being pneumonia and not COVID. I certainly would never laugh at the illness of a wonderful young lady. As for the headline, I am pretty sure it was expressing doubt of the official death figures and not expressing a desire that more Russians die. Too many people worldwide have died for COVID, no one wants more people to die.

 

[nussnacker]

"...like Anna (who had pneumonia .....haha)" Seriously, pneumonia Ha Ha very funny?
Whatever the intent behind it (I cannot guess and make no attempt to), this comment evinces the same sort of sensitivity level as Reuters' and Bloomberg's summer headline "Experts Want to Know Why Coronavirus Hasn’t Killed More Russians" which roused such a surge of disgust among their readers.
Can people not try to be just a little more sensitive. People who talk in these terms should remind themselves that these are minors they are demeaning.

It’s one of the two: either Anna was faking a pneumonia, because she still has her quads, and that can’t be happening; or she’s lying about having coronavirus, cause it somehow makes anything better for her. Some people here just haven’t decided which one is it.


I don’t get why would it be a problem to admit she had COVID, if she had one. So many Russian skaters did talk about it openly, as did her teammate.
If anything, it would give her benefit of the doubt, that expectations of her on RusNats should be lowered.

 

[Edwin]

These minors have parents that are responsible for them.
But I find it a bit of a double standard to criticize because of the unknown risks of COVID 19. Figure Skating is a high risk sport with LOTS of injuries all the time. Fractures, Hip problems, Back problems. Why not close down this sport altogehter? If we are worried about minors health, we should.

Kiira "Koncerned" Korpii is, conservative forces within ISU are, hence all the discussions over age limit, AFAIK, the Norwegian proposal also includes a raise of minimum age for international juniors.

There must have been far more covid cases in Russian sports than we've been let to know.

Daily, new records in numbers of positive tests are recorded everywhere in Europe and North America.

 

[readernick]

It’s one of the two: either Anna was faking a pneumonia, because she still has her quads, and that can’t be happening; or she’s lying about having coronavirus, cause it somehow makes anything better for her. Some people here just haven’t decided which one is it.


I don’t get why would it be a problem to admit she had COVID, if she had one. So many Russian skaters did talk about it openly, as did her teammate.
If anything, it would give her benefit of the doubt, that expectations of her on RusNats should be lowered.

Clearly, I already explained what I meant. You are choosing to continue to be offended and make something out of a poorly expressed idea that was clearly not intended.

Anna has never publicly stated that she did not have COVID so she is not lying about anything. But, many Russian skaters have said they had pneumonia only to reveal later it was COVID.

 

[Amei]

It’s one of the two: either Anna was faking a pneumonia, because she still has her quads, and that can’t be happening; or she’s lying about having coronavirus, cause it somehow makes anything better for her. Some people here just haven’t decided which one is it.


I don’t get why would it be a problem to admit she had COVID, if she had one. So many Russian skaters did talk about it openly, as did her teammate.
If anything, it would give her benefit of the doubt, that expectations of her on RusNats should be lowered.

Okay I think we are crossing inappropriate lines accusing a skater (Shcherbakova in this case) of lying or faking an illness because something doesn't fit your desires of how she should be right now. Shes been doing quads for years and by her own admission in an interview they weren't doing her complete program.

 

[nussnacker]

Clearly, I already explained what I meant. You are choosing to continue to be offended and make something out of a poorly expressed idea that was clearly not intended.

Anna has never publicly stated that she did not have COVID so she is not lying about anything. But, many Russian skaters have said they had pneumonia only to reveal later it was COVID.

This isn’t directed to you in particular, but rather to the turn this thread took discussing her illness. A multitude of turns that is.
at one moment people were questioning whether or not she was sick at all, at the other whether or not she’s downplaying her disease.

 

[nussnacker]

Okay I think we are crossing inappropriate lines accusing a skater (Shcherbakova in this case) of lying or faking an illness because something doesn't fit your desires of how she should be right now. Shes been doing quads for years and by her own admission in an interview they weren't doing her complete program.

I was being sarcastic! I don’t think it’s either of the two.

 

[Fried]

I absolutely agree that those (skaters, parents, coaches, fed) who make specific decisions have better information and they also bear responsibility for their actions unlike all other parties who feel "concerned".

My personal information with my wife just fresh from coronavirus and the rest of the family still intact tells me that for the first time in 5 years I am going to miss Rusnats. I feel that the risk is too big, I won't go and it's my decision. But if I made up my mind and went to Chelyabinsk the last thing I would wish to hear would be "concerned voices".

Of course, in the case of someone, who had narrow contact to infected and then decide to go to a major event, it's understandable that he does not want to hear a whine. You would have my full understanding in this case.

 

[Skatefan15]

Figure Skating is a high risk sport with LOTS of injuries all the time. Fractures, Hip problems, Back problems. Why not close down this sport altogehter? If we are worried about minors health, we should.

I feel like it’s kind of hard to compare covid to those types of injuries. Yes, skating is a high risk sport with many injuries (as are many other sports) and it’s kind of inevitable. However, the amount of covid cases can be a lot more limited if handled properly (and by properly I mean every skater *when not competing + practicing* and coach wearing masks and if you “have” to have spectators they should all wear them too). I get that everyone likes to have/watch competitions, but it just doesn’t make sense to potentially expose all these skaters and coaches (and spectators) to covid when it could’ve been avoided. Especially because the type of lung damage that they they could end up with is potentially career ending.

 

[Edwin]

more roster changes, Shulskaya is out, Onishchenko in.

https://fsrussia.ru/files/docs/competitons/2021/rusnat2021_training_groups_upd221220.pdf

From what I've gathered from the rumours in Russian media and boards, the whole of Rozanov's group, including himself, was infected over the past period.

With temperature checks at the door, there could be athletes denied entrance even during competition I suppose.

 

[Jontor]

more roster changes, Shulskaya is out, Onishchenko in.

https://fsrussia.ru/files/docs/competitons/2021/rusnat2021_training_groups_upd221220.pdf

From what I've gathered from the rumours in Russian media and boards, the whole of Rozanov's group, including himself, was infected over the past period.

With temperature checks at the door, there could be athletes denied entrance even during competition I suppose.

I didn't expect that. Oh no Shulskaya!! But they managed to get Onishchenko in? That's great news.

 

[lopsilceci]

Kosto was having stamina problems even before getting Covid, so, I'm not super surprised to hear about her withdrawal, considering she had to quarantine recently.

Don't be mad at me for saying this, but so far it seems like the coaching change was a bad move for her at this point, from the competitive side of things and I can't help but wonder what the season would have looked like for her if she had stayed at TT.