Alina Zagitova

[Scott512]

I wrote after olympics. And Alina was there too.

Alina Zagitova is an incredible young lady because criticism since the Olympics from Lucinda Ruh Ashley Wagner and now her compatriot Liza would have hurt me to the core. But the Olympic champion just shakes it off and moves on with her career and life like nothing bothers her. She is amazing. I'm hoping Alina has a wonderful second season.

 

[Fluture]

It's ok. You are one of my favorite posters here.

I want to clarify what I meant exactly when I said "I was such a fan". I liked Liza very much. Because I liked her I was disappointed she said something disparaging and uncalled for about Alina's skating. I'm also disappointed about the way she is continuing to handle it. Like this would be an ideal time to de-escalate things! Also, turning this into a matter of 'standing for truth' ? Seriously? What is the Russian phrase for - when you are in a hole, stop digging.

But Liza doesn't have to do or say anything for the sake of pleasing me. Nor does she have to live up to my expectations.

And even if I am not as much as a fan or well wisher as I used to be, I would NEVER wish her (or any other skater) anything less than the best season they are capable of having.

I think Liza is lucky to have supportive, caring, respectful fans like you.

I always appreciate your posts in this thread. Even if this is the one time we disagree. :giveup:

Thanks a lot for this post. I think it's as good as it could be to settle this discussion in a peaceful way and focus on something else.

I remember that. There are pictures. Zhenya, Alina and Eteri and some guy walking in together. Zhenya carrying the flag. I don't know who the guy was but he looked like he was feeling festive.

I remember wondering why Alina wasn't carrying the flag, but after looking at that pic, I kind of thought - never mind.

Okay, I have to admit this does sound weird. I mean they could have been carrying the flag both, at the very least. Alina just tagging along seems wrong to me, too. Even if Zhenya really had been the Olympic Champion, I would have wanted them both to carry the flag. Just because one lost to the other doesn't diminish what they both did for their country. One walking behind is kinda weird, especially if it's Alina who won the whole thing in the end. I have to see for myself, though, because I don't remember this event to be honest. Does anyone know what it was? :think: Not that it matters in the end but still. Now I'm curious.

 

[yume]

Well, you only saw photos. No offense but this sounds like a lot of assumptions and speculations. Who knows Alina wasn't carrying the flag, too, at some point? They're both Russian, they both did a lot for their country and they certainly both have every right to carry the flag. The only issue I'd have with this would be: Why on earth wouldn't they prepare two flags for them?

Ok.

 

[Scott512]

Seeing some of these posts is bringing back my memories of the Olympics.

I was disappointed that Russia couldn't get their flag back for the closing ceremonies because Alina & Evgenia wouldn't get a chance to carry it into the stadium.

Sorry Russia - but I was rooting for the hockey team to lose the Gold Medal game because I liked the thought of Alina being the only Gold Medal winner from Russia. Kind of like when Peggy Fleming was the only USA Gold Medalist in 1968.

Tara Lipinski summed it up best (and probably explains but does not excuse the sour grapes interviews etc....) about Alina's eventual win

"She has completely changed the narrative" --- I think she said that before Alina actaully won the gold medal, maybe right before the long programs started.

Also reminds me of some of the crappy parts of NBC's coverage.
No interview with Alina after she won.

Camerawork which gave the impression Alina was all by herself - when in fact both Satoko Miyahara and Kaetlyn Osmond were very supportive of her.

When Scott Hamilton was about to "gush" about Alina (as only Scott can) the night after the team competition, what's his name that hosted the show with Scott and Tanith Belbin wanted to talk about Mirai's triple axel. AAAAARGHHH.

Why do I get so worked up about this stuff???? Like someone said earlier, probably doesn't even bother Alina.

Then again, that's why she's an OGM and world class athlete.

And I am not!

Tara, Johnny and Scott have been kind to Alina and Adelina in 2014 making cases for their OGM's. They are fair. Tara won an OGM doing the toughest prgram so she understands what Adelina and Alina went through with their very hard olympic programs.

Liza was WC in 2015. But she has seen many younger Russian girls blow by her. That has to hurt.

 

[Fluture]

Ok.

https://twitter.com/sk84it/status/969923912925663232

Could it have been this one? :think: This doesn't look like a flag two people could carry. Maybe they switched. But who knows.

We should rather focus on the fact that the test skates are ahead and while the ones for the SP are closed to the public, we'll probably get to see Alina as Carmen soon!! Too bad we won't see her dress. I'm hoping for red again. She's just fabulous in red. Or some really stylish black.

 

[Finley]

Thanks a lot for this post. I think it's as good as it could be to settle this discussion in a peaceful way and focus on something else.



Okay, I have to admit this does sound weird. I mean they could have been carrying the flag both, at the very least. Alina just tagging along seems wrong to me, too. Even if Zhenya really had been the Olympic Champion, I would have wanted them both to carry the flag. Just because one lost to the other doesn't diminish what they both did for their country. One walking behind is kinda weird, especially if it's Alina who won the whole thing in the end. I have to see for myself, though, because I don't remember this event to be honest. Does anyone know what it was? :think: Not that it matters in the end but still. Now I'm curious.

I think it was that exhibition for the figure skaters they had in Moscow right after the Olympics. Both Zhenya and Alina fell on their jumps. Alina skated DQ and Zhenya skated her exhibition program. I went and looked for the pic of the 4 of them walking in together with the flag and I can't find it. I will try again.

 

[zounger]

I think yume is referring to the event that took place at Luzniki stadium for pre-election supporting Putin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6vXKqPEKbA .

I guess you can find better videos and yes Evgenia was carrying the flag.

 

[Finley]

https://twitter.com/sk84it/status/969923912925663232

Could it have been this one? :think: This doesn't look like a flag two people could carry. Maybe they switched. But who knows.

We should rather focus on the fact that the test skates are ahead and while the ones for the SP are closed to the public, we'll probably get to see Alina as Carmen soon!! Too bad we won't see her dress. I'm hoping for red again. She's just fabulous in red. Or some really stylish black.

That's it! You found it! :agree: Overly enthusiastic guy who may or may not be drunk and looks like he is possibly trying to strangle Zhenya is my favorite part of this photo!

And the main reason why I wasn't overly concerned about Alina not carrying the flag, is because it would just have been that much more awkward if he had been hanging on Alina like that. :eeking:

So it's all good. I completely get why most people have just blocked this out of their memories

Bring on test skates! And costumes! And more Japanese tv footage of the continuing Russian adventures of Masaru!

 

[Fluture]

I think yume is referring to the event that took place at Luzniki stadium for pre-election supporting Putin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6vXKqPEKbA .

I guess you can find better videos and yes Evgenia was carrying the flag.

Thank you! So, Zhenya was the only one carrying the flag? Surprising but they seem to have been more than one Olympic Champion other than Alina there. Kind of funny that she got to carry the flag. Maybe they drew lots or something and Zhenya won... No idea. But it doesn't seem too bad to me. At least Alina has her beautiful Gold Medal around her neck so it's not like people can't see that she's a Champion, or in this case, more rather: THE Champion.

 

[Scott512]

Seeing some of these posts is bringing back my memories of the Olympics.

I was disappointed that Russia couldn't get their flag back for the closing ceremonies because Alina & Evgenia wouldn't get a chance to carry it into the stadium.

Sorry Russia - but I was rooting for the hockey team to lose the Gold Medal game because I liked the thought of Alina being the only Gold Medal winner from Russia. Kind of like when Peggy Fleming was the only USA Gold Medalist in 1968.

Tara Lipinski summed it up best (and probably explains but does not excuse the sour grapes interviews etc....) about Alina's eventual win

"She has completely changed the narrative" --- I think she said that before Alina actaully won the gold medal, maybe right before the long programs started.

Also reminds me of some of the crappy parts of NBC's coverage.
No interview with Alina after she won.

Camerawork which gave the impression Alina was all by herself - when in fact both Satoko Miyahara and Kaetlyn Osmond were very supportive of her.

When Scott Hamilton was about to "gush" about Alina (as only Scott can) the night after the team competition, what's his name that hosted the show with Scott and Tanith Belbin wanted to talk about Mirai's triple axel. AAAAARGHHH.

Why do I get so worked up about this stuff???? Like someone said earlier, probably doesn't even bother Alina.

Then again, that's why she's an OGM and world class athlete.

And I am not!

Tara Lipinski and Scott Hamilton and Johnny Weir have been very fair to Alina Zagitova and Adelina Sotnikova before her. Tara knows what it's like to do a very difficult Olympic gold medal performance program so she can relate both to Sotnikova and Zagitova.

I think Sotnikova is partial to zagitova because they both are Olympic champions who beat their main competition who are more beloved in Russia and that's Yulia Lipnitskaya for Adelina and Medvedeva for Zagitova. of course at Adelina had to endure years of online threats and harassment on her social media from Yuna fans and zagitova of course his face nothing to that degree but she has been criticized. Adelina is partial to Alina because she can relate to her. also Sotnikova did the most difficult routine ever by an Olympic gold medalist only to be surpassed four years later by Zagitova who did a more technically difficult program than even Adelina did to win Olympic gold.

 

[Fluture]

That's it! You found it! :agree: Overly enthusiastic guy who may or may not be drunk and looks like he is possibly trying to strangle Zhenya is my favorite part of this photo!

And the main reason why I wasn't overly concerned about Alina not carrying the flag, is because it would just have been that much more awkward if he had been hanging on Alina like that. :eeking:

So it's all good. I completely get why most people have just blocked this out of their memories

Bring on test skates! And costumes! And more Japanese tv footage of the continuing Russian adventures of Masaru!

I actually like Alina's glance on this picture. She's like: "What is he doing?" And I agree, he does look a bit drunk.... drunk with happiness and pride of course...

 

[asingingwife]

The comments could have been worded better but despite being rather soft spoken, I believe Alina is a very strong woman. Regardless of how people liked or didn't like her program, she won. She will adjust to the new rules and work to create the best programs she can.

It was a similar situation when Tara Lipinski and Sarah Hughes won. Sarah certianly didn't seem to get anywhere near the endorsements that Michelle would have and it bothered me at the time but I understand it now. Fans had invested in Michelle for a long time and it was heartbreaking not to see her succeed.

Not sure about the whole flag carrying incident but one thought I have is that maybe Evgenia carried the flag because of how she fought for Russia to participate in the games? She may not have got gold but I think her advocacy endeared her to the team. I never saw it as a slight to Alina, especially since she was wearing the most important prize around her neck!

As others have mentioned whatever opinions arise, Alina is one of a very limited group of women who can ever call themselves gold medalists. She is a beautiful, graceful young lady with her whole life ahead of her.

 

[Finley]

Tara Lipinski and Scott Hamilton and Johnny Weir have been very fair to Alina Zagitova and Adelina Sotnikova before her. Tara knows what it's like to do a very difficult Olympic gold medal performance program so she can relate both to Sotnikova and Zagitova.

I think Sotnikova is partial to zagitova because they both are Olympic champions who beat their main competition who are more beloved in Russia and that's Yulia Lipnitskaya for Adelina and Medvedeva for Zagitova. of course at Adelina had to endure years of online threats and harassment on her social media from Yuna fans and zagitova of course his face nothing to that degree but she has been criticized. Adelina is partial to Alina because she can relate to her. also Sotnikova did the most difficult routine ever by an Olympic gold medalist only to be surpassed four years later by Zagitova who did a more technically difficult program than even Adelina did to win Olympic gold.

I have a theory that Adelina's experience with online bullying is one of the reasons Alina keeps such a low social media profile. She isn't taking any chances. Smart girl.

 

[Fluture]

The comments could have been worded better but despite being rather soft spoken, I believe Alina is a very strong woman. Regardless of how people liked or didn't like her program, she won. She will adjust to the new rules and work to create the best programs she can.

It was a similar situation when Tara Lipinski and Sarah Hughes won. Sarah certianly didn't seem to get anywhere near the endorsements that Michelle would have and it bothered me at the time but I understand it now. Fans had invested in Michelle for a long time and it was heartbreaking not to see her succeed.

Not sure about the whole flag carrying incident but one thought I have is that maybe Evgenia carried the flag because of how she fought for Russia to participate in the games? She may not have got gold but I think her advocacy endeared her to the team. I never saw it as a slight to Alina, especially since she was wearing the most important prize around her neck!

As others have mentioned whatever opinions arise, Alina is one of a very limited group of women who can ever call themselves gold medalists. She is a beautiful, graceful young lady with her whole life ahead of her.

I completely agree with this post and your explanation certainly makes sense. They're both beautiful, talented, dedicated and strong women who did a lot for their country and I think both can be proud for what they achieved. I'm sure Russia is proud to have them both as they should be!

 

[Finley]

I actually like Alina's glance on this picture. She's like: "What is he doing?" And I agree, he does look a bit drunk. Even though I don't want to make assumptions, maybe he was just drunk with happiness and pride for those two wonderful athletes...

Considering what the country went through to even participate in the Games it had to be a really emotional moment. I'm sure he was just carried away with happiness for what they managed to achieve under difficult circumstances.

I'm sure in the moment they are all overcome with joy. And clearly he is just trying to share the microphone with Zhenya. It just looked funny at first glance.

 

[Fluture]

Considering what the country went through to even participate in the Games it had to be a really emotional moment. I'm sure he was just carried away with happiness for what they managed to achieve under difficult circumstances.

I'm sure in the moment they are all overcome with joy. And clearly he is just trying to share the microphone with Zhenya. It just looked funny at first glance.

I know, I was joking. Getting a joke across isn't as easy on the internet if you don't have intonation etc. I'm still working on it. I changed it, maybe it's a bit more obvious now.

I'm sure (or pretty certain at least) no one would get himself drunk in front of the whole country. And I can understand that they're so happy and emotional, it's been a tough time for all of them. I can't imagine how it must be to train all your life for these games and then get told that you might not be allowed to participate in them. Every emotion is understandable after such a hardship. And photographers have the tendency to capture the funny moments, just for the sake of it.

 

[yuoi]

This Luzhniki event was Putin's agitation thing and in Russia it's illegal to use underage for this. There were negative comments about her being at all at this event so I believe her carrying the flag would be even worse.

 

[yume]

Speaking of test skates, i hope that she will land all her jumps well, so she will kill the hopes of those who doesn't want her to survive to puberty.

 

[Fluture]

Speaking of test skates, i hope that she will land all her jumps well, so she will kill the hopes of those who doesn't want her to survive to puberty.

Even if she doesn't land all her jumps it wouldn't be a sign that she's not surviving puberty. It would be a sign that it's early in the season and she's not yet fully perfect. I mean, I hope she lands all of them but as we've seen from last year, Alina tends to need a bit time to get used to her programs and jumps. She improves over the season. Last year she had some falls in the GP series but she was perfect at Europeans and Olympics. I'll just assume it might be the same this year. But she isn't skating two (!) fully backloaded programs this season so maybe it makes it a bit easier for her. Hoping for some gorgeous 3Lz-3Lo combo. And her perfect 3F-Rippon right to the beat of the music! :luv17:

 

[yume]

Last year it was only the cazy entry of the 2A who made her make mistakes (at test skates). She ditched it last season but included it again this season (and nailed it at THE ICE).
She will be perfect (i hope).