Alina Zagitova

[Finley]

Alina does seem like she just wants everyone around her to be happy and doesn't care about being the center of attention. I may just be projecting, but she seems happy and thrilled with everything happening to her and doesn't seem to expect anything more. Given that Zhenya was also her 'idol' it may seem perfectly normal to her that things are playing out the way they are.

I think the age difference plays into it as well. Alina still finds happiness with her dolls and stuffed animals and her favorite place to be is her hometown with her family. It's kind of beautiful that she still has that childishness about her.

 

[volk]

her Akita is 2 y.o. already

:disapp:

 

[Scott512]

But at least in 2014 Adelina was recognized as the true Olympic champions by her people; this is even worst, IMO, your coach should be super happy for the placements regardless the order of the skater. I have never liked Eteri and never will and the whole situation make me team Alina all the way!

The thing is Eteri does not care what we think. She does not even hide the fact that she prefers evgenia.

 

[Scott512]

her Akita is 2 y.o. already

Wow that is crazy the dog will be too big for Alina to even walk now. daddy will have to walk the dog! Lol! Or Eteri will havevto walk Alinas dog! !

 

[lappo]

I know and it leaves me speachless how disrespectful they are regarding their own athlete and I sincerely hope that Alina wins Worlds in fashion so they will be even more pissed. It must be thought and the worst thing is that in another country she could leave her coach and find another one willing to groom her, here she is basically bound to Eteri to continue skating. I hope that Russian people have the sense to realize how much this must be hurting for her and rally behind her (for those who think these kind of things do not hurt, I was in a pretty similar situation when I won a coveted prize instead of my director of research "apple" and he made my life an hell after that...).

 

[Scott512]

I know and it leaves me speachless how disrespectful they are regarding their own athlete and I sincerely hope that Alina wins Worlds in fashion so they will be even more pissed. It must be thought and the worst thing is that in another country she could leave her coach and find another one willing to groom her, here she is basically bound to Eteri to continue skating. I hope that Russian people have the sense to realize how much this must be hurting for her and rally behind her (for those who think these kind of things do not hurt, I was in a pretty similar situation when I won a coveted prize instead of my director of research "apple" and he made my life an hell after that...).

I can only think they dont care about Alina the person but they do care about her being a medal machine for Russia.

I too hope Alina wins worlds and sticks it to them.

 

[flanker]

Sorry but I have to completely disagree with most of what has been written here. It's obvious that this comes from huge difference in mentality. What I see in the west is that there everybody cares for and only for the winners and try to see everything as a struggle between some two sides, but this is just not how things work in slavic countries. Let for a while try to see this NOT by what you want to see but with understanding why things are that way. The hard thing is that there is very little comparison as there are very few such impressive competeing athletes training under the same coach. But let me try to explain at least some basics:
1. Here in the central and eastern Europe there is very strong feeling that kids (or teenagers at least till they are 18) should never be treated as superstars (even if they are like Alina ). Whether or not is this right feeling, we feel this could spoil them or they could get used to it too much and stop trying to do harder or could expect too much celebrating for their achievements.
2. Alina's personality. As everyody here understand, at least I think, she is not the type who would desire for too much attention by public. She does not avoid it when it is necessary and she deals with it well (you can see her answers are very well thought-out and pretty mature for her age), but I feel she takes it as a necessary evil. Evgenia is taken as more adult, more experienced with public and media pressure so it is not considered as so much dangerous when she is more the topic of media attention.
3. Coaches attention. Alina herself admitted she is the type who has to be pressed for better results. Starting to celebrate her too much could damage her attention to training. And in fact there not such a big difference between Eteri's attitude towards Zhenya and Alina, in the documentaries you can see Eteri could be pretty demanding with her too. Again, she is part of her team just longer so she has more experience how to fulfill Eteris demands and how to get along with her.
4. We are not accustomed to change attention quickly. I see people in the west have no problem to become suddenly enthusiastic with completely new persons and things (and loosing it for old ones too ). We don't feel it that way. Changing attention, preferences and so on takes time for us. That does not mean we are not enthusiastic too for new people but we mostly try to share it between the things or people we know for long time and the new ones.

So those are my basic feelings about what I see. It comes of course from my menthality or life experience and could be subjective but being Slav myself I do not see those things that were discussed here as something surprising or incomprehensible. Just please even if you do not see those things this way, just keep in mind that there are people who see some things different way and that does not mean they are not grateful or they can't praise Alina's achievments.

 

[christiana2]

Apparently, Eteri asked a TV- interviewer to not call Alina the Olympic champion on-air before said interview, and in Eteri's VK-group mods are handing out bans to anyone saying it there. I can't confirm these last statements beyond doubt, but if true, it's terrible.

Uh, no. I read Eteri's vk group and I haven't noticed something like this. There's a lot of positivity towards Alina in there. Like really a lot. And Alina gets introduced as the Olympic champion that she is in the interviews/official functions that I've seen with her. It's not something Eteri can stop and I have serious doubts she tried to.

This narrative about how all the coaches now apparently hate Alina for winning is pretty toxic actually.

 

[Scott512]

It was definitely a delicate and awkward situation as the scores came in for Zhenya. It's like, who do you give more emotional support to in that moment? The devastated girl or the happy one? I thought it was really sweet that Alina did her best to be humble in her victory upon seeing how emotional Zhenya was. At least once things settled down and Zhenya had graciously congratulated Alina the team all had big, genuine, smiles for the podium presentation and were laughing as they left the ice.

Hopefully as Alina spends more time on the senior circuit (and maybe learns some english) she will get closer with the other skaters.

Yes Alina was very considerate of Evgenia feelings since Evgenia was the one who was supposed to win Olympic gold. she showed true respect to Medvedeva and I appreciate that. I think Alina would have been a little more enthusiastic if she had edged out Osmond for the gold for example.

 

[Scott512]

Uh, no. I read Eteri's vk group and I haven't noticed something like this. There's a lot of positivity towards Alina in there. Like really a lot.

This narrative about how all the coaches now apparently hate Alina for winning is pretty toxic actually.

No one is saying the coaches hate Alina. They dont hate her. but they certainly prefer evgenia and that's okay unless you are a Zagitova fan and you want Alina to be shown an equal amount of respect that Evgenia is or something close to an equal amount and that is not happening by the Russian figure skating leaders and heroes of the past.

 

[Scott512]

Sorry but I have to completely disagree with most of what has been written here. It's obvious that this comes from huge difference in mentality. What I see in the west is that there everybody cares for and only for the winners and try to see everything as a struggle between some two sides, but this is just not how things work in slavic countries. Let for a while try to see this NOT by what you want to see but with understanding why things are that way. The hard thing is that there is very little comparison as there are very few such impressive competeing athletes training under the same coach. But let me try to explain at least some basics:
1. Here in the central and eastern Europe there is very strong feeling that kids (or teenagers at least till they are 18) should never be treated as superstars (even if they are like Alina ). Whether or not is this right feeling, we feel this could spoil them or they could get used to it too much and stop trying to do harder or could expect too much celebrating for their achievements.
2. Alina's personality. As everyody here understand, at least I think, she is not the type who would desire for too much attention by public. She does not avoid it when it is necessary and she deals with it well (you can see her answers are very well thought-out and pretty mature for her age), but I feel she takes it as a necessary evil. Evgenia is taken as more adult, more experienced with public and media pressure so it is not considered as so much dangerous when she is more the topic of media attention.
3. Coaches attention. Alina herself admitted she is the type who has to be pressed for better results. Starting to celebrate her too much could damage her attention to training. And in fact there not such a big difference between Eteri's attitude towards Zhenya and Alina, in the documentaries you can see Eteri could be pretty demanding with her too. Again, she is part of her team just longer so she has more experience how to fulfill Eteris demands and how to get along with her.
4. We are not accustomed to change attention quickly. I see people in the west have no problem to become suddenly enthusiastic with completely new persons and things (and loosing it for old ones too ). We don't feel it that way. Changing attention, preferences and so on takes time for us. That does not mean we are not enthusiastic too for new people but we mostly try to share it between the things or people we know for long time and the new ones.

So those are my basic feelings about what I see. It comes of course from my menthality or life experience and could be subjective but being Slav myself I do not see those things that were discussed here as something surprising or incomprehensible. Just please even if you do not see those things this way, just keep in mund that there arepeople who see some things different way and that does not mean they are not grateful or they can't praise Alina's achievments.

This is a fascinating post. Thank you for a look into how life is in some of the Eastern European countries like Russia. My conclusion is that we Alina fans who prefer her over everyone else in figure skating are bothered by the favoring of Medvedeva more than Alina is and I hope that's the case so Alina can keep her momentum up for as long as possible and win and be grateful as long as possible. We know Zagitova and Medvedeva absolutely adore each other and are real friends and that's great to know because nothing will come between them in their careers. Evgenia has been so good to Alina as the leader of the Russians I just wish some of the coaches could have been as generous to Alina as Evgenia has been. But again maybe Zagitova just doesn't really care the way some of us do. The ptessure on Medvedeva to 3 peatb at worlds will be immense. She won't want to get edged out by Zagitova again. I hope Alina is up or it and does not have a post olympic let down.

 

[flanker]

This is a fascinating post. Thank you for a look into how life is in some of the Eastern European countries like Russia. My conclusion is that we Alina fans who prefer her over everyone else in figure skating are bothered by the favoring of Medvedeva more than Alina is and I hope that's the case so Alina can keep her momentum up for as long as possible and win and be grateful as long as possible. We know Zagitova and Medvedeva absolutely adore each other and are real friends and that's great to know because nothing will come between them in their careers. Evgenia has been so good to Alina as the leader of the Russians I just wish some of the coaches could have been as generous to Alina as Evgenia has been. But again maybe Zagitova just doesn't really care the way some of us do. The ptessure on Medvedeva to 3 peatb at worlds will be immense. She won't want to get edged out by Zagitova again. I hope Alina is up or it and does not have a post olympic let down.

This is probably one of the pillars of the different views It is connected with what I have written in the 4th point. In Russian Zhenya is probably taken as the one who defitely settled Russia as great power in ladies figure skating and was holding it there for 3 years. According to slavic mentality, it is even greater achievent than one gold medal. It is her who became role model for girls who try to be figure skaters and for the rest of the country she is a hero for her consistency and ability to do well even under hard circumstances. Just hear TAT's commentary for the last year's Worlds. Zhenya skated as the last of the russian ladies. Maria Sotskova didn't do her best and poor Anna Pogorilaya completely messed it with several falls. Now it was very hard for Zhenya to fulfill her position as a team leader but she was great without any flaws. TAT commented it (at least what my really small abilities to understand russian allow me to understand) in the way that Zhenya proved strenght and great character at such a harsh moment. Next thing is how she defended russian olympians at IOC. My personal attitude to that is different thing but she became no doubt a hero again.
All of this makes her so popular even if she did not bring gold. She represents will and ability to hold fast. There was a sentence from Napoleon: "Shooting a russian soldier is not enough. You just have to kick him to bring him down too." and that is the toughtness she proves.
Alina is great, no doubt about it. But she will also need to proof she is able not only to win herself, but "to hold a fortress for the others" or how could that be said. I think she is completely capable of it but let her have a time for it.

 

[madison]

Of course she cares about others' appreciation and love, especially her coaches.
At her age, she probably doesn't realize the full dimension of the prizes she won, but certainly she needs constant appreciation and support.
She recently spoke, in an interview, about how her pets won't betray her, they are seen as her loyal friends that understand and protect her.
So she has needs concerning these aspects. She didn't say, for example, I like pets because they are fluffy and I can play with them, but that they are loyal, trusty.

It's hard to know the real situation in the training group and her relationships with the coaches. We can only see a limited fragment in the K&C when they know that they are filmed out.

 

[madison]

This is probably one of the pillars of the different views It is connected with what I have written in the 4th point. In Russian Zhenya is probably taken as the one who defitely settled Russia as great power in ladies figure skating and was holding it there for 3 years. According to slavic mentality, it is even greater achievent than one gold medal. It is her who became role model for girls who try to be figure skaters and for the rest of the country she is a hero for her consistency and ability to do well even under hard circumstances. Just hear TAT's commentary for the last year's Worlds. Zhenya skated as the last of the russian ladies. Maria Sotskova didn't do her best and poor Anna Pogorilaya completely messed it with several falls. Now it was very hard for Zhenya to fulfill her position as a team leader but she was great without any flaws. TAT commented it (at least what my really small abilities to understand russian allow me to understand) in the way that Zhenya proved strenght and great character at such a harsh moment. Next thing is how she defended russian olympians at IOC. My personal attitude to that is different thing but she became no doubt a hero again.
All of this makes her so popular even if she did not bring gold. She represents will and ability to hold fast. There was a sentence from Napoleon: "Shooting a russian soldier is not enough. You just have to kick him to bring him down too." and that is the toughtness she proves.
Alina is great, no doubt about it. But she will also need to proof she is able not only to win herself, but "to hold a fortress for the others" or how could that be said. I think she is completely capable of it but let her have a time for it.

If the Russians aknowledge Alina's merits, it doesn't take anything from Zhenya. It's not Alina or Zhenya... it can easily be Alina and Zhenya.
I would have expected some more diplomatic comments especially from their coaches. I mean, if I understood correctly, Eteri said that Zhenya is invincible, or I don't think that this is valid anymore... Zhenya is still great, but she was defeated already 2 times. Zhenya carried the flag and had the last performance of the show dedicated to the Olympic Games. I don't think this is a fair situation for Alina. And even if she accepts and understands the situation, it doesn't mean she's not hurt about it.

 

[russianfan]

I want Alina to win Worlds so badly. That would be a perfect ending for this truly unbelievable season. On the other side it will prove that Evgenia is a clear #2 now, which is a shocker.

 

[Finley]

Another reason for the extra attention Evgenia is getting is the possibility that some of the contracts (for endorsements, interviews, etc.) were already in place and signed prior to the Olympics. That was the case for a Russian athlete (snowboarder) prior to Sochi. Also, as an 18 year old, she is marketable in a different way. And fans have spent two years invested in her success and watching her grow.

I think there is enough room in everyone's heart for both girls. Alina's modesty and charm will win a lot of people over. She is poised beyond her years and it's hard to find fault with anything she has said or done since winning. It doesn't hurt that she is incredibly beautiful and sweet.

I didn't pay close attention 4 years ago, but it seems all the attention and media scrutiny were not helpful to Adelina or Julia. I'm ok with the fact that Alina isn't getting the full force of it right now.

Glad to hear the dog is 2. It will be trained and calmer than a puppy and easier for Alina and her grandmother to handle. And if not, take it to Eteri. It will be the first Akita to medal at the Junior Grand Prix next season!

 

[russianfan]

It will be trained and calmer than a puppy and easier for Alina and her grandmother to handle. And if not, take it to Eteri. It will be the first Akita to medal at the Junior Grand Prix next season!

and then to snatch an OGM

 

[madison]

Another reason for the extra attention Evgenia is getting is the possibility that some of the contracts (for endorsements, interviews, etc.) were already in place and signed prior to the Olympics. That was the case for a Russian athlete (snowboarder) prior to Sochi. Also, as an 18 year old, she is marketable in a different way. And fans have spent two years invested in her success and watching her grow.

I think there is enough room in everyone's heart for both girls. Alina's modesty and charm will win a lot of people over. She is poised beyond her years and it's hard to find fault with anything she has said or done since winning. It doesn't hurt that she is incredibly beautiful and sweet.

I didn't pay close attention 4 years ago, but it seems all the attention and media scrutiny were not helpful to Adelina or Julia. I'm ok with the fact that Alina isn't getting the full force of it right now.

Glad to hear the dog is 2. It will be trained and calmer than a puppy and easier for Alina and her grandmother to handle. And if not, take it to Eteri. It will be the first Akita to medal at the Junior Grand Prix next season!

I hope Alina will not get endorsements as that for Zasport. I'm still in shock after that disgusting pic.

 

[Ladogaboy]

Uh, no. I read Eteri's vk group and I haven't noticed something like this. There's a lot of positivity towards Alina in there. Like really a lot. And Alina gets introduced as the Olympic champion that she is in the interviews/official functions that I've seen with her. It's not something Eteri can stop and I have serious doubts she tried to.

This narrative about how all the coaches now apparently hate Alina for winning is pretty toxic actually.

Someone wrote an article claiming that they were banned from that group for congratulating Alina with the gold. Others said similar things in the comments section.

https://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/taliaskate/1602511.html

Apparently, the group was shut down for several hours because so many bans were handed out. Maybe it was done to prevent "fan wars", but clearly something happened there.

Be that as it may, it's clear that they're trying to downplay Alina's success and elevate Zhenya. At the press meeting (which that article also covers) Eteri was asked if she could analyze the results at the Olympics and she said:

"What is there to analyze? Let's go back a year ago, when it felt like Zhenya was, and still is, really, virtually unbeatable. But there were the health problems, there was the injury, which made it harder. Harder for her and harder for us".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3KJUJQfxME (15:05 into the clip)

That was it. Not a word about Alina, even though she was sitting right there.

March 1st. Eteri talking about Medvedeva and Hanyu maybe doing a show together. Nothing about Alina.
https://rsport.ria.ru/figure_skating/20180301/1133462030.html

And so on, and so on, and so on...

 

[zytolda]

Someone wrote an article claiming that they were banned from that group for congratulating Alina with the gold. Others said similar things in the comments section.

https://www.sports.ru/tribuna/blogs/taliaskate/1602511.html

Apparently, the group was shut down for several hours because so many bans were handed out. Maybe it was done to prevent "fan wars", but clearly something happened there.

Be that as it may, it's clear that they're trying to downplay Alina's success and elevate Zhenya. At the press meeting (which that article also covers) Eteri was asked if she could analyze the results at the Olympics and she said:

"What is there to analyze? Let's go back a year ago, where it felt like Zhenya was, and still is, really, virtually unbeatable. But there were the health problems, there was the injury, which made it harder. Harder for her and harder for us".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3KJUJQfxME (15:05 into the clip)

That was it. Not a word about Alina, even though she was sitting right there.

March 1st. Eteri talking about Medvedeva and Hanyu maybe doing a show together. Nothing about Alina.
https://rsport.ria.ru/figure_skating/20180301/1133462030.html

And so on, and so on, and so on...

I have these feeling that in a year Alina will switch to Urmanow; she does not have family in moscow so she could easily switch to sochi; it is obvious that eteri has preference but Alina is OGM and she deserves some recognitiona and eteri as a professional should hide those preferences.