Shpilband defected from the USSR. Perhaps the underlined word needs to be translated into Russian for everyone to understand such implication. Besides, he is now a U.S. citizen. Zueva left Russia about 2 decades ago and is now a Canadian citizen. It's hard to imagine why they would ever want to go back to Russia, money notwithstanding.
For the longest time, most of the top ice dancers in the world have been coached by Russians. Even Bourne/Kraatz were coached by successive Russians, from Dubova, to Tarasova and then Morozov. A/P was a half Russian team with Marina being Russian even though their coach is French but they later on took on Dubova as well. Yet, the Russian dominance in Ice Dance hasn't really been affected by all these Russian coaches working abroad or with foreigners for well over 20 years after the USSR dissolved. It makes you question Oksana Domnina's logic that somehow by recalling Russian coaches, that will make a difference. That's assuming any of them have a moral obligation to go back to Russia. And then, there is the question of financial incentives. Lucky Star suggests that with improved conditions, most of them would want to go back. I think that's not true. For one thing, even if Russia is willing to pay a truck load of money for Zueva and Shpilband, they won't go back. So obviously, money isn't the only consideration. As for Linichuck, she may as well go back to Russia because no elite North American dance teams in their right mind would go to her after what happened to Belbin/Agosto. Besides, with D/S pretty much retired and the Italian team going into their 10th Worlds this coming season, she is going have to deal with an empty nest soon. It would seem, whether she wants it or not, staying in America probably won't do her any good without someone feeding her talented young teams she can coach.
and :scratch
