2020-21 Russian Ladies' Figure Skating

[chasingneverland]

But him saying she didn't have a fever, even the interview he spoke of Anna's Covid, it looked like he was saving face by impressing that everything was above board. That was the priority in those comments. He was nonchalant about the fever, like how he said they have machines on site etc. and everything is as it should be.

Anna having Covid or not is months long knowledge, not the same as the specifics of this temperature check yesterday. I consider him more reliable than Sambo on this sadly.

Well it's also not the first time the fed has let people compete with a fever and acted nonchalant about it. See: Sofia S at test skates.

Plus they've already shown they don't care about people's health and think they're all expendable (and that they can all be replaced). See: all their decisions this year and the fact the entire national team had COVID/injuries/illnesses.

Personally I don't respect him or his statements at all.

 

[bubblecherry]

I saw the exhibition's skates of KV and Anna and they were great.

Did you watch Zhenya, Scott? What did you think?

 

[nussnacker]

But him saying she didn't have a fever, even the interview he spoke of Anna's Covid, it looked like he was saving face by impressing that everything was above board. That was the priority in those comments. He was nonchalant about the fever, like how he said they have machines on site etc. and everything is as it should be.

Anna having Covid or not is months long knowledge, not the same as the specifics of this temperature check yesterday. I consider him more reliable than Sambo on this sadly.

It was an interview with her mother, not anyone from sambo, that stated she was tested negative.

 

[chasingneverland]

There has always been questions (in all country's) about how accurate some of the tests are so technically yes it could have been covid. Saying she didn't have it isn't a lie if the test she took said negative. Even if the test might have been incorrect that's not their fault and they shouldn't be blamed for that. Like you said until the antibody test nobody knows.

I don't like the mood here. There is a lot of hair splitting and some people seem too excited at the idea she did have it just so they can have a dig and scream "LIAR! LIAR! I KNEW IT! HA!"

Agreed. So far there is no indication they lied or did anything wrong. (Other than potentially let their skater skate when she should have withdrawn. But that's not technically wrong (according to the rules) and they're not alone there - that applies to most of the national team. All have been injured/ill this season.)

 

[Magill]

From what I understand it's having to provide proof of a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours. Not a test at that exact moment. Now it's possible that they got back a positive result the morning off and withdrew her because of that but that doesn't seem likely as Morisi and Alina/Kamila were there and either completed or did the gala and they would have been required to withdraw. (See Liza's positive COVID test and Anastasia G's withdrawal and P/P withdrawing due to their coach.) There is also no report that Anna had a positive COVID test. In fact every member of her team is insisting (and has been since Nov) that she had a negative result. It's more likely that practices the morning off didn't go well at all and/or Anna couldn't make it through them (probably due to still being sick) and they withdrew her from a "meaningless competition" (as far as SB/PB standing is concerned as well as World's team placement) in hopes of her being better/more ready for nationals.

My question did not regard the moment when you need to take the test but when you need to submit it as this is what determines when it needs to be taken. I think you need to submit it when you turn up at the spot for the first time. If you turn up for official practices etc, then that's the moment. If not, then probably it might be the day of the competition if that's when you turn up for the first time. That's why I guess Anna never submitted any test for Rostelecom. Because she never appeared there.
It seems to me it is all huge informational mess with all participants failing to pre-agree what they say to the public and giving contradictory statements trying to explain all at once: Anna's visible symptoms of "something" (illness, fever, fatigue, lack of stamina, whatever) after the SP, her miraculous cure the next day for the fabulous FS, and her earlier absence at Rostelecom with no quarantine for her team at the time of pandemic. Nothing proves anything and everything could have been one way or another
Anyway, does not seem to matter now much, does it?

 

[chasingneverland]

It was an interview with her mother, not anyone from sambo, that stated she was tested negative.

I trust her mother most of all, when compared to Sambo and especially the Fed. As if there's anyone that would care the most about Anna's own wellbeing versus her career as a skater/skating in Russia in general, it's her mother. From all accounts, it does sound like Anna was/maybe even still is, very sick. It also sounds like there was concern it was COVID. But she's tested negative repeatedly.

 

[chasingneverland]

My question did not regard the moment when you need to take the test but when you need to submit it as this is what determines when it needs to be taken. I think you need to submit it when you turn up at the spot for the first time. If you turn up for official practices etc, then that's the moment. If not, then probably it might be the day of the competition if that's when you turn up for the first time.
It seems to me it is all huge informational mess with all participants failing to pre-agree what they say to the public and giving contradictory statements trying to explain all at once: Anna's visible symptoms of "something" (illness, fever, fatigue, lack of stamina, whatever) after the SP, her miraculous cure the next day for the fabulous FS, and her earlier absence at Rostelecom with no quarantine for her team at the time of pandemic. Nothing proves anything and everything could have been one way or another
Anyway, does not seem to matter now much, does it?

Agreed. I just don't like the proclamations that Anna/her team lied when so far, there's no sign they did and blaming them for Aliona and Liza getting sick when Aliona (at least) was exposed prior to Kamila skating at the Rostelecom Cup.

Has everyone been responsible? No but that's true for everyone (literally every rink has made questionable decisions and all main skaters are either injured or ill or both) and especially the Fed. And according to Fed rules (which I think are too lax but that's not skaters' fault) there is no indication that her team did anything wrong (ruleswise) with regards to either Anna or anyone else.

Regardless, it doesn't matter now. The fact remains that the Fed didn't handle any of this correctly and it resulted in their entire national team getting sick and/or injured, which could have serious long-term implications. (Not to mention these are human beings with hopes and dreams we're talking about (outside of skating as well). All of which are doing the best with what they can control - what they do on the ice.)

 

[silveruskate]

It was an interview with her mother, not anyone from sambo, that stated she was tested negative.

But this is the issue, was it just one test? When? Etc. No disrespect to Anna's parents, the issue with involving parents in the first place is for example I'm sure my mum would say exactly what I told her to on something like this as well. They will only do what Anna wants them to do in the end.

Well it's also not the first time the fed has let people compete with a fever and acted nonchalant about it. See: Sofia S at test skates.

Plus they've already shown they don't care about people's health and think they're all expendable (and that they can all be replaced). See: all their decisions this year and the fact the entire national team had COVID/injuries/illnesses.

Personally I don't respect him or his statements at all.

I agree with this. But in the end this is the Russian way, grit and determination etc. It's put in extremely high esteem in Russia but also for athletes generally. I never go so hard on these situations, on either the coaches or skaters as this is the culture there. Not like we can force our views on when to compete on others, it's always a grey area. It's like Evgenia in Pyeongchang, I understand why Eteri let her compete. In my mind Evgenia would be absolutely crushed if she missed it and it would be even worse for her health to have the one thing you've been dreaming of your entire life snatched away from you.

 

[chasingneverland]

But this is the issue, was it just one test? When? Etc. No disrespect to Anna's parents, the issue with involving parents in the first place is for example I'm sure my mum would say exactly what I told her to on something like this as well. They will only do what Anna wants them to do in the end.

The first report of a negative COVID test for Anna came in Nov. So well before her skating potentially with a fever at nationals. In fact, it does seem like they were actually concerned Anna DID have COVID (which makes sense given her symptoms) but she tested negative. (There was concern then that it was a false negative but that's not her fault.)

 

[chasingneverland]

I agree with this. But in the end this is the Russian way, grit and determination etc. It's put in extremely high esteem in Russia but also for athletes generally. I never go so hard on these situations, on either the coaches or skaters as this is the culture there. Not like we can force our views on when to compete on others, it's always a grey area. It's like Evgenia in Pyeongchang, I understand why Eteri let her compete. In my mind Evgenia would be absolutely crushed if she missed it and it would be even worse for her health to have the one thing you've been dreaming of your entire life snatched away from you.

Yeah, that's why I don't blame Anna for any of it nor do I think it takes away from what she accomplished yesterday - she was stunning and it was a magical moment. She, like all other skaters, just wants to compete and excel. It's on others - coaches and the fed - to take actions.

 

[Magill]

But this is the issue, was it just one test? When? Etc. No disrespect to Anna's parents, the issue with involving parents in the first place is for example I'm sure my mum would say exactly what I told her to on something like this as well. They will only do what Anna wants them to do in the end.

I agree with this. But in the end this is the Russian way, grit and determination etc. It's put in extremely high esteem in Russia but also for athletes generally. I never go so hard on these situations, on either the coaches or skaters as this is the culture there. Not like we can force our views on when to compete on others, it's always a grey area. It's like Evgenia in Pyeongchang, I understand why Eteri let her compete. In my mind Evgenia would be absolutely crushed if she missed it and it would be even worse for her health to have the one thing you've been dreaming of your entire life snatched away from you.

Well, it was snatched away from her anyway and she never regained her full physical capabilities from before the Olympic season... But I understand what you're saying. At least she tried.

 

[silveruskate]

Yeah, that's why I don't blame Anna for any of it nor do I think it takes away from what she accomplished yesterday - she was stunning and it was a magical moment. She, like all other skaters, just wants to compete and excel. It's on others - coaches and the fed - to take actions.

But this is the issue. How can you snatch away the lifelong opportunities of your skater/child, just because technically she's a minor? This isn't just a random want. She knows her mind on this and has proven every single day how much it means to her by training over 10 years for it. I feel like it should be Anna's decision. And I can't imagine Anna competing if she was told it could destroy her Olympic dreams.

 

[Fluture]

I agree with this. But in the end this is the Russian way, grit and determination etc. It's put in extremely high esteem in Russia but also for athletes generally. I never go so hard on these situations, on either the coaches or skaters as this is the culture there. Not like we can force our views on when to compete on others, it's always a grey area. It's like Evgenia in Pyeongchang, I understand why Eteri let her compete. In my mind Evgenia would be absolutely crushed if she missed it and it would be even worse for her health to have the one thing you've been dreaming of your entire life snatched away from you.

Well, that "Russian way“ (I’d say it’s something athletes have in common, no matter where they come from, though it does seem to be extremely valued in Russian culture. At least, from what I, as an outsider, have seen) lets us witness performances like Evgenia‘s at Pyeongchang — a display of immense courage, overcoming pain, difficulty and odds stacked against you etc. But too much of it and it will shoot you in the foot. Ironically enough, this Russian mindset won Evgenia the Silver but also, in some way, lost her the gold. If she and her team hadn’t been so stubborn to insist on competing in the Japan Open, Challenger and GP series, she probably would have been fully healed by Nationals and gone into EC and OG as the undisputed Russian Number 1. The story might have been different then.

Which is why I am so hesitant to this whole mentality. Because it can be extremely admirable and a way to show courage and strength. But if you overdo it, it might do more wrong than good and hurt your future chances. So, Anna skating in this condition won her the Gold here and she showed tremendous fighting spirit. Whether it will have been the right decision or come back to harm her, can only be seen in the future. A lot of it is about pacing yourself, the Olympics aren’t until next year. And that’s why I wish that sometimes, they’d hold back on that whole "sports = overcoming“ mindset — there simply comes a time when you have to play smart, no matter how much you want to compete.

 

[Scott512]

Did you watch Zhenya, Scott? What did you think?

I haven't seen it yet. I want to see it and hopefully she'll be skating in some event soon enough.

 

[Magill]

But this is the issue. How can you snatch away the lifelong opportunities of your skater/child, just because technically she's a minor? This isn't just a random want. She knows her mind on this and has proven every single day how much it means to her by training over 10 years for it. I feel like it should be Anna's decision. And I can't imagine Anna competing if she was told it could destroy her Olympic dreams.

As for now and no matter what it looks like today - we do not know if it actually helps it or hurts it in the long run. No one does.

 

[Fluture]

I haven't seen it yet. I want to see it and hopefully she'll be skating in some event soon enough.

She’ll skate in another gala February (or January?) 2nd to 5th. Doubt we’ll see her in competitions this season. She tried her hardest to land one triple salchow here, her money jump. And it was tiny and barely eeked out. She’s doing everything she can but reality is that her body’s been through a lot and it has limitations. We’ll see whether she can come back to competition in the future or not. All I know is that she tries and that’s admirable. In the end, I just want her to be healthy and happy, no matter what she does.

 

[anonymoose_au]

The fact that she was at Rostelecom at all. To be there she had to show proof of a negative COVID test at least 72 hours before departing. They're all subjected to COVID tests for every competition before they are even allowed to leave.

To be honest though, I'm starting to wonder if the Russian Figure Skating Fed can be trusted at all when it comes to this. The fact that Anna refused to have her temperature taken before the FS yet was allowed to skate is a rather big red flag.

All things considered, I'm beginning to doubt they require a test at all.

 

[Supernovaimplosion]

To be honest though, I'm starting to wonder if the Russian Figure Skating Fed can be trusted at all when it comes to this. The fact that Anna refused to have her temperature taken before the FS yet was allowed to skate is a rather big red flag.

All things considered, I'm beginning to doubt they require a test at all.

I looked at the Announcement for Rostelecom cup, and no testing is mentioned, only that masks are mandatory and that "Additional details will be provided to all participants at a later date." Which I guess could mean that they required testing in the end.
In fairness to Rusfed, NHK trophy also didn't require testing. They had to track their body temperature, etc.
Seems like the ISU needs stricter rules in general.
Edit: The ISU only recommends testing.

 

[chasingneverland]

To be honest though, I'm starting to wonder if the Russian Figure Skating Fed can be trusted at all when it comes to this. The fact that Anna refused to have her temperature taken before the FS yet was allowed to skate is a rather big red flag.

All things considered, I'm beginning to doubt they require a test at all.

I doubt they do or consider a fever as a deterring factor as they allowed Sofia to skate with a fever at test skates. They seem to be doing the bare minimum.

 

[Scott512]

She’ll skate in another gala February (or January?) 2nd to 5th. Doubt we’ll see her in competitions this season. She tried her hardest to land one triple salchow here, her money jump. And it was tiny and barely eeked out. She’s doing everything she can but reality is that her body’s been through a lot and it has limitations. We’ll see whether she can come back to competition in the future or not. All I know is that she tries and that’s admirable. In the end, I just want her to be healthy and happy, no matter what she does.

I was hoping she would skate in the Russian cup in February. Evgenia does not deserve the season she has had. This is worse than the broken foot 3 years ago.

Hopefully she will take the rest of the season off train when she feels right and can get back to normal by the summertime so she can compete next season.