Alina Zagitova
- Thread starter The Finn
- Start date
- Joined
- May 24, 2021
Very interesting interview, especially on her skating and her motivations and the fact her parents chose the sport for her and we all thank them. A minor detail I presume "children champagne" is non-alcoholic. I also love Alina has a Mercedes now, she deserves a good ride.
- Joined
- May 28, 2019
TZ just translated it directly - that's what they call n/a champagne in Russia
I think she just got it from the MB dealer for the time she's in StPete - so she can give Sabina rides in style
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2018
Yeah, it's just sparkling soda.
- Joined
- May 28, 2019
- Joined
- May 28, 2019
- Joined
- May 28, 2019
Alina's interview with Tatjana Flade for Olympics.com:
Alina Zagitova, the winner of Olympic, World and European and Russian figure skating champion titles, acted as a commentator on Channel One at the Russian Championship in St. Petersburg, and also participated in the gala. The next day, the skater presented two programmes at the "Ice Fantasies of Tamara Moskvina" anniversary show. This interview took place between those performances.
Olympics: Alina, four years ago at the Russian Championship 2018, which was held at the same arena in Yubileiny, you were selected for the Olympic Games in Korea, now you worked here as a commentator on Channel One. With what emotions did you follow the national championship 2022?
Alina Zagitova: At this championship I was in a different role, off the ice, in a completely new role for myself - I took comments from athletes for Channel One. I seriously prepared for this, read in advance, reviewed all the interviews of our dancers, wrote for myself texts about Nikita and Vika (Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov - Olympics), Sasha and Vanya (Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin - Olympics), since I started working not from the first, but from the second day of the championship. I love to be prepared. But this was not needed, since my task was changed at the last minute and I had to interview the singles skaters instead. But that's okay. I realized that in such work, a lot is unpredictable, everything can change quickly, and it is impossible to plan everything. But if you understand the essence of what you are asking about, then you need to speak from the heart. I realized that being a journalist means being interested all the time, watching what is happening. Being in the know is the most important thing, so the profession of a journalist is very difficult.
Olympics: Did you watch the girls' performances calmly or with excitement, since you yourself experienced such a thing?
AZ: I watched the girls prepare. It was stressful enough. Exactly. But at that moment I exhaled, I realized that the most important thing is that I am not on the ice, that I have something else, because I have no idea what it is like for them now. The competition has become much tougher, and, as they say, the strongest survives and wins. Therefore, I watched with some nostalgia, because four years ago I won the championship here. But although I myself did not perform now, I was just as nervous because I went through all this before the Olympics in Korea and I know, I understand all these feelings when you go out on the ice. It is impossible to forget completely. No way. Therefore, I understood how the girls felt at that moment.
Olympics: Champion of Russia-2022 Kamila Valieva said that she sometimes consults with you.
AZ: Kamila and I - yes, we somehow became friends. When I come to my morning workouts, she sits opposite me in the dressing room. In the evening, I do not always manage to practice, there are some other things to do. Kamila and I are in touch. At the gala, I helped her with the make up - with stickers on her face. I don’t know, I am pleased when people ask me for advice. It is always pleasant when you can convey some of your knowledge, experience, but, of course, not all.
Olympics: What is the most important piece of advice you gave?
AZ: I will not give advice when I am not asked. But I think that in sports I can share something, 100 percent. It's just that each athlete is individual, but whatever advice you give, it will not help, because people are different, everyone has their own path that needs to be traversed. So it was with me. You can listen to someone's advice, take something out of it, but still your own experience is better than someone else's.
Olympics: What is more difficult for you - commenting or skating on ice?
AZ: It's different. As a journalist, it is still difficult for me to turn on at the very moment of work, but as an athlete you go to the Russian championship or other competitions for some time, train. You leave, of course, with nerves, but all the same, your body does what has already been developed. And when you sit down with a microphone, everything is unpredictable. To be honest, it's still hard for me to watch figure skating, because you think: now, I could also perform, and you still experience the same sensations in your soul, when it takes your breath away, you get a feeling of euphoria, as if you go out on the ice yourself. It's hard for me to watch all this yet.
Olympics: Have you let go?
AZ: No.
Olympics: You have not announced your retirement yet.
AZ: Of course not. But at such competitions as the championships of Russia, the worlds, and others - I do not compete, because I do not have enough physical form, but I would like to.
Olympics: Don't you still dwell on the thought of returning to the sport in any capacity, as an athlete, as a coach?
AZ: I don't know. It was always interesting for me to coach, but this requires a lot of nerves. Let's wait and see.
Olympics: A familiar phrase.
AZ: Yes. You know, when I started working in journalism, I realized that I want athletes to respond with less formulaic phrases like: let's wait and see; time will show; it is the judges who decide, not me ... It turns out as if the athlete seems to have answered and said nothing. I would like to hear more detailed answers from them. And, being in the role of a journalist, I understand that it is necessary to pull something out of the respondent and at the same time, I know that they will not say anything, because they want to keep something inside.
Olympics: Now you have the opportunity to look at the event from two sides. Are you interested in doing journalism?
AZ: Yes. It is interesting for me to "talk" a person, to understand how to approach them, so that they open up, and do not answer with standard phrases. Now I'm learning this, I recently read an article that you need to win over a person to yourself. I recall our interview with Rita Mamun (Margarita Mamun - 2016 Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics) after the Olympics. This was her first interview, and she asked where I would like to go and took me to a pet store, where there were dogs, different animals. I began to tell her something, started talking on my own, although usually I was shaken when I had to go to an interview. And then I "melted", I felt good. So the main thing is to catch the moment when a person can open up. Journalists are psychologists too.
Olympics: Are you reviewing your Olympic performances?
AZ: I used to watch it many times, but now for some reason not. Too much nostalgia. And before, when I watched, I thought - wow, so cool! When, after the Olympic Games, I was asked about my emotions ... Yes, I just worked very hard. And only now, after a while, I understand what the emotions were and what I went through.
Olympics: And what were your emotions?
AZ: Completely different. I could not fully rejoice ... My mother came to the Olympics, I knew where she was sitting on the podium, and it helped me a lot. I went out on the ice with a completely cool head. But before that there were very difficult training sessions. Then, even before the short program, they took me for doping, and I missed the training session, which made me nervous ...
You know, before the free program, I had a dream that I was winning the Olympic Games. And imagine, I wake up and understand that the free program is just going to be skated yet... And there was a feeling like in childhood, when you had a dream, that you had wings behind your back and you were flying, and you wake up and ... But the dream turned out to be prophetic.
Olympics: After the Olympics, you said that you did not immediately realize that you had become a champion, and Eteri Georgievna Tutberidze advised you to put on a gold medal and go to bed in order to wake up, see and understand. Was that so?
AZ: I deliberately put the silver medal that we won in the team in my jacket pocket so that it was always with me, because then it seemed to me that it was something unreal, and this medal meant a lot to me. And I don't remember exactly, I think I put my Olympic medal under my pillow. It was not very comfortable to sleep with a medal.
Olympics: How has your life changed after the Olympics?
AZ: Not at all. There was just a lot of attention, there was some pressure from the press and people who write on Instagram, social networks ... It is very distracting. You can't already train with a cool head and go out to competitions with a cool head. A lot of emotions. Go to training in the morning, and you can't do anything. Basically, the same training, but it was difficult for me.
Olympics: What was the most difficult period of your sports career?
AZ: After the 2018 World Cup. After Milan, I felt very bad. I was very upset.
Olympics: Where did you find the motivation to continue?
AZ: It was at this point that my parents and my mother, first of all, said that everything must be done to the end. Mom, even in training, always said so: you need to train more, go for stretching. Although we could immediately go home, because it was late. But she - no, she said, it needs to be done, and, probably, she conveyed this character trait to me.
Olympics: So it was necessary to win the World Championship, to win the missing title in the collection to put a 'full-stop'?
AZ: Yes. But not a full-stop, but an ellipsis. So that I was calm, and did not regret anything. But the preparation for the World Cup in Japan was very difficult. I missed workouts and not because I didn’t want to train, but simply understood - I’ll come now, I won’t succeed again, and at the same time I understood that I won’t succeed because I missed the workout ...
Olympics: A vicious circle.
AZ: I don't know what was in my head then, sometimes I was just sitting in the street crying ... I still can't calmly recall it ...
Olympics: Well done for getting ready, going and winning.
AZ: I am very glad that then Eteri Georgievna (Eteri Tutberidze - Alina's coach) gave me a little kick and forced me, because I did not want to go to the World Championship, and everyone now knows that. I didn't want to, first of all, because I couldn't do it in training, there were no clean skates. And I remembered the words of Eteri Georgievna when she was asked: are you worried before the competition? And she answered: “Why should one worry? If you trained well, then it will bear fruit. As you've practiced, so you'll will perform." And I also understood and understand this. I knew that before Saitama (the 2019 world championship was held in Saitama, Japan) I hadn't trained very well, and a miracle had to happen and how I needed to pull myself together ... There had to be a certain strength, energy, emotions ... Until recently, I didn’t want to go to the World Championship. I made up my mind at the very last moment, and we went to the airport accompanied by a police car with flashing lights ...
Olympics: In sports you have won all the titles and now you are trying yourself in different fields. How difficult is it to find new goals to strive for?
AZ: Now my goal is to do my job and do it well. This is probably the goal. So that I was happy, so that the people who invited me to work and entrusted me with this work were happy. In sports, the goal is clear - the Olympic Games, to win everything. And in journalism ... For now, it's just fun to do your job ...
I really enjoy working in television. When I came to the "Ice Age", this was my first experience. It was difficult at first, I did not understand the what and how. And although I had an "ear" (head-piece) for insurance, I was very worried, felt lost, and this interfered. It seemed like I watched the performances, think of something to say and scroll it in my head, come up with questions, but then I go up to the skaters and don't remember anything, like absolutely nothing. I saw that the person fell, and say "great performance", and then I hear someone say "what on earth is she talking about"... But nothing happens right away, all of a sudden. And I am very grateful that the people who took me as the host understand everything and gave me the opportunity to host the Ice Age again, and see how I gradually improve and develop. This is so cool.
Olympics: You've always said that you don't like publicity, but thanks to your work in television, you got into the spotlight. Reconciled with such a life, when your every step, your personal life is discussed in the press?
AZ: It is impossible to escape the attention of the press, all the same they'll hammer at you. But now I am also “on the other side”, so I partly understand that journalists need sensations and without us they would have nothing to write about. But I prefer to communicate with reporters who can be trusted. And I myself want to become such a journalist.
A public person is largely dependent on public opinion. And for me it plays a certain role. Yes, I probably could ignore everything that is written about me. But I have parents who read this too. And if a lot is familiar to me, I have been in this since the age of 14, then my parents only now really have encountered it and can become very upset. And when I see this, I get upset with them.
Olympics: You recently posted a post about yourself on Instagram. Was it important for you to share your experiences with people who also encounter hate in life?
AZ: I think many face hate, bullying at school, at work, and when people see that they are not alone, then perhaps my words will help them somehow. To be honest, I was miffed by the reaction of some viewers during the "Ice Age". No matter what I wear, it’s impossible to please everyone. First they write "why are you showing your hands in these dresses"? I go out in a dress with sleeves, and get "why are you covering them"?. ..
Or my fans and Zhenya Medvedeva's write some nasty things to each other. But I have said many times: "Guys, let's live together." If you don't like something, why not come up to me and say it straight to my face? They are sitting in the stands, why not go down, not come up, I'm here, next to them, at the side. Let them say it in person to me.
Olympics: I don't want to end the interview on this question. Tell us a little about Masaru, an Olympic gift. How is she?
AZ: Now I have a third dog, and Masaru doesn't get along very well with her yet. Masaru has her own personality, she likes to lie down, to be cuddled. She does not like to run, she has a measured lifestyle. If in the morning I make myself a sandwich with cheese, and small dogs immediately eat the pieces of cheese that I give them, Masaru will first sniff it, taste a bit, if she doesn't like it, she won't spit it out, but gently put it on the floor ... She has very smart eyes and a smile, that I like.
We tried to find a “partner” for her to have puppies, but Masaru is a bit grumpy, and we thought we wouldn’t insist. And, and it would be a pity to give the puppies away. Everyone tells me, she will forget them, she will not understand, but I will not forget. Therefore, I told my parents: if there are puppies, I will keep them for myself. I wanted Masaru not for advertising, not for something else, but was looking for a friend.
Alina Zagitova, the winner of Olympic, World and European and Russian figure skating champion titles, acted as a commentator on Channel One at the Russian Championship in St. Petersburg, and also participated in the gala. The next day, the skater presented two programmes at the "Ice Fantasies of Tamara Moskvina" anniversary show. This interview took place between those performances.
Olympics: Alina, four years ago at the Russian Championship 2018, which was held at the same arena in Yubileiny, you were selected for the Olympic Games in Korea, now you worked here as a commentator on Channel One. With what emotions did you follow the national championship 2022?
Alina Zagitova: At this championship I was in a different role, off the ice, in a completely new role for myself - I took comments from athletes for Channel One. I seriously prepared for this, read in advance, reviewed all the interviews of our dancers, wrote for myself texts about Nikita and Vika (Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov - Olympics), Sasha and Vanya (Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin - Olympics), since I started working not from the first, but from the second day of the championship. I love to be prepared. But this was not needed, since my task was changed at the last minute and I had to interview the singles skaters instead. But that's okay. I realized that in such work, a lot is unpredictable, everything can change quickly, and it is impossible to plan everything. But if you understand the essence of what you are asking about, then you need to speak from the heart. I realized that being a journalist means being interested all the time, watching what is happening. Being in the know is the most important thing, so the profession of a journalist is very difficult.
Olympics: Did you watch the girls' performances calmly or with excitement, since you yourself experienced such a thing?
AZ: I watched the girls prepare. It was stressful enough. Exactly. But at that moment I exhaled, I realized that the most important thing is that I am not on the ice, that I have something else, because I have no idea what it is like for them now. The competition has become much tougher, and, as they say, the strongest survives and wins. Therefore, I watched with some nostalgia, because four years ago I won the championship here. But although I myself did not perform now, I was just as nervous because I went through all this before the Olympics in Korea and I know, I understand all these feelings when you go out on the ice. It is impossible to forget completely. No way. Therefore, I understood how the girls felt at that moment.
Olympics: Champion of Russia-2022 Kamila Valieva said that she sometimes consults with you.
AZ: Kamila and I - yes, we somehow became friends. When I come to my morning workouts, she sits opposite me in the dressing room. In the evening, I do not always manage to practice, there are some other things to do. Kamila and I are in touch. At the gala, I helped her with the make up - with stickers on her face. I don’t know, I am pleased when people ask me for advice. It is always pleasant when you can convey some of your knowledge, experience, but, of course, not all.
Olympics: What is the most important piece of advice you gave?
AZ: I will not give advice when I am not asked. But I think that in sports I can share something, 100 percent. It's just that each athlete is individual, but whatever advice you give, it will not help, because people are different, everyone has their own path that needs to be traversed. So it was with me. You can listen to someone's advice, take something out of it, but still your own experience is better than someone else's.
Olympics: What is more difficult for you - commenting or skating on ice?
AZ: It's different. As a journalist, it is still difficult for me to turn on at the very moment of work, but as an athlete you go to the Russian championship or other competitions for some time, train. You leave, of course, with nerves, but all the same, your body does what has already been developed. And when you sit down with a microphone, everything is unpredictable. To be honest, it's still hard for me to watch figure skating, because you think: now, I could also perform, and you still experience the same sensations in your soul, when it takes your breath away, you get a feeling of euphoria, as if you go out on the ice yourself. It's hard for me to watch all this yet.
Olympics: Have you let go?
AZ: No.
Olympics: You have not announced your retirement yet.
AZ: Of course not. But at such competitions as the championships of Russia, the worlds, and others - I do not compete, because I do not have enough physical form, but I would like to.
Olympics: Don't you still dwell on the thought of returning to the sport in any capacity, as an athlete, as a coach?
AZ: I don't know. It was always interesting for me to coach, but this requires a lot of nerves. Let's wait and see.
Olympics: A familiar phrase.
AZ: Yes. You know, when I started working in journalism, I realized that I want athletes to respond with less formulaic phrases like: let's wait and see; time will show; it is the judges who decide, not me ... It turns out as if the athlete seems to have answered and said nothing. I would like to hear more detailed answers from them. And, being in the role of a journalist, I understand that it is necessary to pull something out of the respondent and at the same time, I know that they will not say anything, because they want to keep something inside.
Olympics: Now you have the opportunity to look at the event from two sides. Are you interested in doing journalism?
AZ: Yes. It is interesting for me to "talk" a person, to understand how to approach them, so that they open up, and do not answer with standard phrases. Now I'm learning this, I recently read an article that you need to win over a person to yourself. I recall our interview with Rita Mamun (Margarita Mamun - 2016 Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics) after the Olympics. This was her first interview, and she asked where I would like to go and took me to a pet store, where there were dogs, different animals. I began to tell her something, started talking on my own, although usually I was shaken when I had to go to an interview. And then I "melted", I felt good. So the main thing is to catch the moment when a person can open up. Journalists are psychologists too.
Olympics: Are you reviewing your Olympic performances?
AZ: I used to watch it many times, but now for some reason not. Too much nostalgia. And before, when I watched, I thought - wow, so cool! When, after the Olympic Games, I was asked about my emotions ... Yes, I just worked very hard. And only now, after a while, I understand what the emotions were and what I went through.
Olympics: And what were your emotions?
AZ: Completely different. I could not fully rejoice ... My mother came to the Olympics, I knew where she was sitting on the podium, and it helped me a lot. I went out on the ice with a completely cool head. But before that there were very difficult training sessions. Then, even before the short program, they took me for doping, and I missed the training session, which made me nervous ...
You know, before the free program, I had a dream that I was winning the Olympic Games. And imagine, I wake up and understand that the free program is just going to be skated yet... And there was a feeling like in childhood, when you had a dream, that you had wings behind your back and you were flying, and you wake up and ... But the dream turned out to be prophetic.
Olympics: After the Olympics, you said that you did not immediately realize that you had become a champion, and Eteri Georgievna Tutberidze advised you to put on a gold medal and go to bed in order to wake up, see and understand. Was that so?
AZ: I deliberately put the silver medal that we won in the team in my jacket pocket so that it was always with me, because then it seemed to me that it was something unreal, and this medal meant a lot to me. And I don't remember exactly, I think I put my Olympic medal under my pillow. It was not very comfortable to sleep with a medal.
Olympics: How has your life changed after the Olympics?
AZ: Not at all. There was just a lot of attention, there was some pressure from the press and people who write on Instagram, social networks ... It is very distracting. You can't already train with a cool head and go out to competitions with a cool head. A lot of emotions. Go to training in the morning, and you can't do anything. Basically, the same training, but it was difficult for me.
Olympics: What was the most difficult period of your sports career?
AZ: After the 2018 World Cup. After Milan, I felt very bad. I was very upset.
Olympics: Where did you find the motivation to continue?
AZ: It was at this point that my parents and my mother, first of all, said that everything must be done to the end. Mom, even in training, always said so: you need to train more, go for stretching. Although we could immediately go home, because it was late. But she - no, she said, it needs to be done, and, probably, she conveyed this character trait to me.
Olympics: So it was necessary to win the World Championship, to win the missing title in the collection to put a 'full-stop'?
AZ: Yes. But not a full-stop, but an ellipsis. So that I was calm, and did not regret anything. But the preparation for the World Cup in Japan was very difficult. I missed workouts and not because I didn’t want to train, but simply understood - I’ll come now, I won’t succeed again, and at the same time I understood that I won’t succeed because I missed the workout ...
Olympics: A vicious circle.
AZ: I don't know what was in my head then, sometimes I was just sitting in the street crying ... I still can't calmly recall it ...
Olympics: Well done for getting ready, going and winning.
AZ: I am very glad that then Eteri Georgievna (Eteri Tutberidze - Alina's coach) gave me a little kick and forced me, because I did not want to go to the World Championship, and everyone now knows that. I didn't want to, first of all, because I couldn't do it in training, there were no clean skates. And I remembered the words of Eteri Georgievna when she was asked: are you worried before the competition? And she answered: “Why should one worry? If you trained well, then it will bear fruit. As you've practiced, so you'll will perform." And I also understood and understand this. I knew that before Saitama (the 2019 world championship was held in Saitama, Japan) I hadn't trained very well, and a miracle had to happen and how I needed to pull myself together ... There had to be a certain strength, energy, emotions ... Until recently, I didn’t want to go to the World Championship. I made up my mind at the very last moment, and we went to the airport accompanied by a police car with flashing lights ...
Olympics: In sports you have won all the titles and now you are trying yourself in different fields. How difficult is it to find new goals to strive for?
AZ: Now my goal is to do my job and do it well. This is probably the goal. So that I was happy, so that the people who invited me to work and entrusted me with this work were happy. In sports, the goal is clear - the Olympic Games, to win everything. And in journalism ... For now, it's just fun to do your job ...
I really enjoy working in television. When I came to the "Ice Age", this was my first experience. It was difficult at first, I did not understand the what and how. And although I had an "ear" (head-piece) for insurance, I was very worried, felt lost, and this interfered. It seemed like I watched the performances, think of something to say and scroll it in my head, come up with questions, but then I go up to the skaters and don't remember anything, like absolutely nothing. I saw that the person fell, and say "great performance", and then I hear someone say "what on earth is she talking about"... But nothing happens right away, all of a sudden. And I am very grateful that the people who took me as the host understand everything and gave me the opportunity to host the Ice Age again, and see how I gradually improve and develop. This is so cool.
Olympics: You've always said that you don't like publicity, but thanks to your work in television, you got into the spotlight. Reconciled with such a life, when your every step, your personal life is discussed in the press?
AZ: It is impossible to escape the attention of the press, all the same they'll hammer at you. But now I am also “on the other side”, so I partly understand that journalists need sensations and without us they would have nothing to write about. But I prefer to communicate with reporters who can be trusted. And I myself want to become such a journalist.
A public person is largely dependent on public opinion. And for me it plays a certain role. Yes, I probably could ignore everything that is written about me. But I have parents who read this too. And if a lot is familiar to me, I have been in this since the age of 14, then my parents only now really have encountered it and can become very upset. And when I see this, I get upset with them.
Olympics: You recently posted a post about yourself on Instagram. Was it important for you to share your experiences with people who also encounter hate in life?
AZ: I think many face hate, bullying at school, at work, and when people see that they are not alone, then perhaps my words will help them somehow. To be honest, I was miffed by the reaction of some viewers during the "Ice Age". No matter what I wear, it’s impossible to please everyone. First they write "why are you showing your hands in these dresses"? I go out in a dress with sleeves, and get "why are you covering them"?. ..
Or my fans and Zhenya Medvedeva's write some nasty things to each other. But I have said many times: "Guys, let's live together." If you don't like something, why not come up to me and say it straight to my face? They are sitting in the stands, why not go down, not come up, I'm here, next to them, at the side. Let them say it in person to me.
Olympics: I don't want to end the interview on this question. Tell us a little about Masaru, an Olympic gift. How is she?
AZ: Now I have a third dog, and Masaru doesn't get along very well with her yet. Masaru has her own personality, she likes to lie down, to be cuddled. She does not like to run, she has a measured lifestyle. If in the morning I make myself a sandwich with cheese, and small dogs immediately eat the pieces of cheese that I give them, Masaru will first sniff it, taste a bit, if she doesn't like it, she won't spit it out, but gently put it on the floor ... She has very smart eyes and a smile, that I like.
We tried to find a “partner” for her to have puppies, but Masaru is a bit grumpy, and we thought we wouldn’t insist. And, and it would be a pity to give the puppies away. Everyone tells me, she will forget them, she will not understand, but I will not forget. Therefore, I told my parents: if there are puppies, I will keep them for myself. I wanted Masaru not for advertising, not for something else, but was looking for a friend.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2014
Eteri is talking about Alina for what reasons?
I just read an article on a Russian sports site and a lot of the comments after that were negative towards this coach.
In another article AZ said she may still want to compete. That would be very interesting to see Alina make it return to competition even have its challengers. She can probably still score 230 points and that would put her on many podiums.
I just read an article on a Russian sports site and a lot of the comments after that were negative towards this coach.
In another article AZ said she may still want to compete. That would be very interesting to see Alina make it return to competition even have its challengers. She can probably still score 230 points and that would put her on many podiums.
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2014
Eteri does what she wants. Because she can and they let her. That's reason enough. My personal theory is that her post Olympic contract with Alina has expired and will she no longer receive a portion of Alina's income. Why else try to 'devalue' her with criticism? But that's none of my business. And this is just my opinion, nothing more.
I'm just impressed that Alina continues to be gracious, respectful and grateful to her coaches for everything. She never fails to give them credit where credit is due. She never fails to acknowledge their contribution to her achievements. Her parent's and grandmother raised her well. They did a good job.
I'm torn on wanting Alina to return to the meat-grinder of competitive skating. But whatever Alina chooses I'll support her. Even if her attempt to come back wasn't successful. She would never have to wonder "what if?" On the other hand, not getting a hip replacement at 25 is a good life goal!
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2014
I think your opinion is spot-on. I didn't even think of that that' the coach does not get a piece of her former students money anymore.
But that she did for almost four years post olympics is disturbing in itself even though Alina is making great money I don't like to think of Eteri getting 40% of it. Crazy. Can you imagine if KV goes undefeated in her debut season and wins Olympic gold? AZ will steer this girl the right way no matter what happens but I wonder if KV were to leave EG if that breaks their contract. I mean 40% or whatever this coach gets is a lot of money. Especially since the world is going broke except for the oligarchs of course. I don't really follow the big Sports in North America or the world anymore because the athletes make so much money 20 million dollars a year 40 million dollars a year soccer players 50 million dollars a year. It makes Sports less enjoyable for me and this is one of the reasons I like figure skating they don't really make much money in fact a lot of the skaters have to quit young because of the expenses.
My thought was EG was blabbering now like she never has before to take the heat off her daughter Diana for making the European team and possibly the Olympic team and after the scores they've received this season which have been very good. I'm sure this coach wants people talking about her and what she says instead of criticizing her daughter and partner for getting scores most experts don't think they deserved. But Liza has gotten bigger scores than deserved this season especially with PCS so who knows.
I don't know if I want Alina to make a competitive return at TT but I guess that's where it would be. And I've heard all I want to hear about Alina not wanting to work 12-hour days anymore. Maybe aliona and Dasha should do the same if they want any kind of longevity. Like I've said other places AZ could score 230 points and our sleep because of technical content and now she has a much greater array of presentation and artistry and presence than she did before when she won all the major titles by age 16.
Yes Alina has been super complementary to her coaches that helped make her a champion of every major event she wanted to win by the age of 16. But I don't think those great words are reciprocated to her at all. In fact Alina should be telling her coach privately to keep her mother's name out of her mouth.
Hopefully Alina and the channel one team will be at Europeans.
But that she did for almost four years post olympics is disturbing in itself even though Alina is making great money I don't like to think of Eteri getting 40% of it. Crazy. Can you imagine if KV goes undefeated in her debut season and wins Olympic gold? AZ will steer this girl the right way no matter what happens but I wonder if KV were to leave EG if that breaks their contract. I mean 40% or whatever this coach gets is a lot of money. Especially since the world is going broke except for the oligarchs of course. I don't really follow the big Sports in North America or the world anymore because the athletes make so much money 20 million dollars a year 40 million dollars a year soccer players 50 million dollars a year. It makes Sports less enjoyable for me and this is one of the reasons I like figure skating they don't really make much money in fact a lot of the skaters have to quit young because of the expenses.
My thought was EG was blabbering now like she never has before to take the heat off her daughter Diana for making the European team and possibly the Olympic team and after the scores they've received this season which have been very good. I'm sure this coach wants people talking about her and what she says instead of criticizing her daughter and partner for getting scores most experts don't think they deserved. But Liza has gotten bigger scores than deserved this season especially with PCS so who knows.
I don't know if I want Alina to make a competitive return at TT but I guess that's where it would be. And I've heard all I want to hear about Alina not wanting to work 12-hour days anymore. Maybe aliona and Dasha should do the same if they want any kind of longevity. Like I've said other places AZ could score 230 points and our sleep because of technical content and now she has a much greater array of presentation and artistry and presence than she did before when she won all the major titles by age 16.
Yes Alina has been super complementary to her coaches that helped make her a champion of every major event she wanted to win by the age of 16. But I don't think those great words are reciprocated to her at all. In fact Alina should be telling her coach privately to keep her mother's name out of her mouth.
Hopefully Alina and the channel one team will be at Europeans.
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2018
I think there are threads that fit for venting of people's emotions and imaginations about other people's motives like those above better. Some of them are in fact very hardly readable when one wants to find something useful or positive there, so I would like to keep this thread BS free. Thank you.
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2004
Great interview! Alina has a good head on her shoulders and she will be successful in her future endeavors.
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2014
She really does. There was so much to love about this interview.
She was Rita Mamun's first interview and now they are going to the Olympics in Beijing together as journalists to interview the athletes. The Golden Girls.
It would be nice if 2nd fanbase would take note of her words - "let's live together". So far that has not happened. Or, rather, they have....but only to complain about the fact that she never said anything like this sooner.
I remember right after the Olympics Trankov said in an interview that 'no one was rooting for Alina to win'. As one might imagine that did not go over too well. At one point he was getting seriously harassed on social media by people claiming to be fans of Alina.
Alina mentioned in an interview that she had 'very good relations with Trankov' trying to get people to stop. I'd like to think it helped but you never know. Outrage cycles usually last 72 hours then everyone moves on to the next thing they are mad about. Anyway, she tried. And she is even better friends with Trankov now so it's all good. Let 2nd fanbase stay mad forever.
Last edited:
Similar threads
