Let's not exaggerate... i don't think someone sabotages I/Z. on contrary they seemed to get real support this year from their federation (as an ex, they got a spot for WTT) Rumours and gossips will always be about everyone not only about I/Z
Rumours not withstanding I did not like the tactics of TAT and Besti, but who knows probably by the Russian definition of doing things they were supported well enough. However some things mentioned in the press by their own experts would never be uttered by the Americans, French or Canadians. But who knows maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, a wee bit. Or probably I'm just itching for the new season to begin. Where is patience when you need her
I am reading Russian media for long time and I never saw something similar to this year‘s situation…
There were some harsh comments towards Bobrova & Soloviev in past. In 2010/11 Tarasova was sending Dima to a psychologist because his Twizzles were not good. In 2013/14 Tarasova criticised B&S that Russian number 1 can’t fall during programs. Those comments were not nice, but it was a 20% of what got I&Z this season.
I&K were never criticised so much by media, by Fed or by other experts. Yes, there were some harsh words by Bestemianova, but all others always excused the couple’s mistakes even in case that Lena fell / Nikita fell / Nikita lost Twizzles / the couple lost whole lift / they were executing low Levels in programs. They were always getting another and another chance saying that they have a unique talent.
Bad skate at NHK Trophy by S&K and low Levels at all 3 competitions were always excused and Tchernyshev and Sinitsin are even trying to make from S&K better team than the rest of the Russian couples.
This opening season I&Z already executed more clean programs than I&K executed almost for their whole senior career and I&Z became immediately Russian number 1 when I&K couldn’t get this position for their whole 4 years in seniors constantly loosing to Bobrova & Soloviev.
But comments towards I&Z were:
1) unfair – Bestemianova, Tarasova, off ice gossips by Margaglio and Scali at European Champs
2) too harsh and even unfair – Staviski (Ruslan is poor skater, the couple has the same heights and weights)
3) strange – Shechovtsova (judges like I&Z, but they need to work, while other Russian couples already have everything…I&K should re-unit), Gorshkov (we know that I&Z got medal, but other couples with Sinitsina & Katsalapov even after NHK Trophy are equal)
4) funny – Tchernyshev (he admits that he knows nothing about new judging system and Levels, but he says that S&K were the best at Russian Nats), Sinitsin (S&K are no worse than I&Z and even better at practise, while at competition Nikita is thinking about proving too much…)
Before top events there was always a rumour that I&Z split…which was putting another amount of pressure to the couple.
Nobody from Russian Fed or Minister of Sport tried to stop even one of this unfair comments which were NEVER done PUBLICLY to ANY other European / World Team Ice Dance member.
I don’t think that all members of Russian Fed are againts I&Z, it is not true. But too many people wants to get rid of the couple and make open war through media and in “behind the stage“ places and the only people who really have a power to stop this hunt (Russian Fed) are staying silent and waiting…so the couple must fight with it and protect themselves.
It should be Russian Fed who should push all teams to fight on the ice with their skating/dancing and not be shooting at their rivals in a hope that those ones will lost nerves and leave the sport forever – those are not a sport principles. As long as Russian Fed and at least some of coaching teams will not realise this, Russia will have a big disadvantage in fighting for big medals in future.
