I just feel like, from several of your posts recently (not just here), you seem to champion the idea of "the successful people aren't 'the most talented' but they work hard." It's a nice sentiment, but imo, it's not realistic and is somewhat misleading with regards to Mishin.
Mishin indeed goes above and beyond his job, to help out talented kids from modest backgrounds. But make no mistake: these were talented kids. The most talented people he could get his hands on. This isn't a movie where the always-getting-beaten-up scrawny kid convinces the master swordsman to train him with a display of will and dedication. No figure skating coach in the world is going to offer financial help to a modestly talented student.
Of course they also worked hard and had competitive nerve. But with a few exceptions, the top skaters are the most talented people in the field, and they have those other qualities. This goes double if you're an enduring champion like Plushenko or Yagudin, and not just a one hit wonder.
Also, wouldn't you say that competitive nerve is also a talent? (Albeit one that a coach can't spot in an untested child). Many of the could-have-achieved-more crowd worked very hard, but they just didn't have the mindset of a champion.
