Alright. I know I said I wouldn't reply but I need to clarify what I meant.
I said nothing about the ages of skaters. I said that the mentality of "win at all costs" fosters a culture of abuse.
Shaming skaters as being lazy for not wanting to skate whilst injured is what I have issue with. There are so many stories of kids stuck doing a sport through injury and manipulation and abuse because some adults want to live vicariously through the kid's hard work and achievements. And never mind kids, the peer pressure of being called lazy because you didn't train on injury affects all athletes and it's gross.
Remember when Tursynbayeva couldn't even bend down because her back was so injured? Remember when Anna Pogorilaya skated in a corset and was still railed on for being melodramatic, lazy and an embarrassment? Remember when Zijun Li had to quit because her diet was so restricted she'd faint regularly and she wasn't allowed to drink water? Remember when Satoko was getting stress fractures because her bones had deteriorated from malnutrition?
If it were up to you, you'd say well if they wanted to win then they should've trained harder. But no, they shouldn't have and I'm glad they're out of those situations now.
And no, Evgenia is not lazy and unmotivated for not training 10 hours a day at Eteri's camp on an injured back.
Well, I am glad you responded because I do want to read your thoughts. I liked your post because it has the passion I admire. We agree more than you think too.
First thing we will agree on without any reservations is parents living vicariously through their kids. That is awful, no other way to say it. Let the kids have their own lives.
Medvedeva is not lazy nor unmotivated in any way. But there is different motivations training for competition and training for exhibitions. There just isn’t the same pressure. And it’s her life, if she doesn’t want to comeback competitively, good for her. Make money, keep your name out there, and not put your body through the same stress. I would work less for more money too. Haha
And yes, there are skaters that are lazy. Every sport has them. Why is figure skating different? Obviously it’s a case by case basis. Some athletes are genuinely lazy and some get labeled that unfairly.
Some are also manipulators that pretend their injuries are worse than they are.
Anna, for me, will always get the benefit of the doubt because her track record is exemplary. It‘s not a secret that Anna is everything I love in an athlete. Quiet, hard working, no drama, competitive, a perfectionist that leaves everything on the ice and is never satisfied with being second.
Playing through pain is a staple of being a champion athlete. It’s just the way it is. Granted, there is a fine line between playing hurt and being stupid.
Being a top level athlete without properly hydration and nutrition is beyond stupid because you cant get maximum performance like that. Don‘t think I ever advocated for an athlete to not eat. It’s counter productive to my gold medal goals.
Will I advocate for what Anna did at Nationals last year? 100% yes.
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