If my posts were a published document, I would be obliged to provide direct sources, Spun SIlver, but as this is an anonymous board, I do not owe you anything. You can probably find all these sources yourself, if you take the time and trouble to do internet searches (BTW, if you use the right search technique, GOOGLE will bring up even years-old discussion board passages).
I believe the ethical burden rests with the one casting aspersions to be able to back up his or her statements.
chuckm said:
When Sasha was training under Robin Wagner, she wrote in her journal the summer of 2004 how she had vacationed in Hawaii, then went to the rink in Connecticut to train by herself (away from Robin). Apparently she didn't do much in the way of training, because she skated very poorly at Campbell's 2004. Shortly after that, she withdrew from all her GP events due to a back injury.
Then in December 2004, she issued an announcement that she was going back to California to train with John Nicks. Cohen said (in the announcement) that she liked Robin very much, but that 'my skating was terrible' (more or less blaming that on Robin) which then prompted a rebuttal interview from Robin. Robin said that Sasha was resistant to advice from her coach that she upgrade her jumping skills, and said that during the summer Sasha had avoided training altogether (verified by Sasha's journal) and so Sasha was not prepared for the coming season.
I don't see the "terrible skating" or Robin-blame in Sasha's journal and the press statements are not available on her website. Query: in your opinion, should serious teenage skaters not take summer vacations with their families? Another query: do other serious skaters not do endorsements, photoshoots, charity work, and spend time with family? The journal shows Sasha practicing the quad with Robin over the summer. A back injury may have affected her 3 falls at Campbells where she got the bronze:
www.usoc.com - 11/3/04 - Olympic website said:
Shortly after the Campbell’s event Cohen flew to Chicago, Ill., to consult with Dr. Westin, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine, whom she has seen since she injured her back in 2001. It is believed that her current back problems may be related to the injury she sustained in 2001 — an injury that forced her to withdraw from the 2001 State Farm U.S. Championships. In his assessment Dr. Westin performed a full examination including an MRI on Cohen's back. He diagnosed that Cohen reinjured her back, causing severe back strain. He recommended she skate with reduced multi-revolution jumping for four weeks and take part in intense physical therapy to strengthen her lower back.
Sasha's journal said:
[June 19, 2004] I just got back from a great vacation [in Italy, FWIW] today... I am going to New York next week and begin training with Robin.
[July 12] I have spent the past week training with Robin and getting my body back into competitive shape. Robin started to work a little bit with my program, I started to get back all my jumps and build up my stroking and running. The best way is not to get frustrated and keep getting stronger. Summer is a different process of skating. I’m just trying to get my body back to where it was.... I’ve had some good time off. I think it’s good to have a good mental and physical approach so I’m fresh when training comes around.
[July 15, 2004] I’ve been practicing the quad, and I’m starting to get the rhythm.Robin and I started on the harness, and I’ve had some good attempts on the ice. I’m not sure whether to put it into my programs yet. We’ll see how it goes.When Robin and I started practicing it on the harness it went well quickly.
[August 6] It has been a busy two weeks. I’ve finally settled on my new costumes; we’re setting up a new photo shoot; we’re in the moving process and living out of boxes; both of my new programs have been choreographed and Robin and I are working hard on that; I’m proofing my book that comes out in a few months; and practicing hard to get back into competitive shape while learning all the new programs.... Things are going real well with Robin and me. Our schedules have been laid out and I will definitely be ready for the first competition. I probably won’t be in peak shape but will be for Nationals and Worlds.]
As for the public statements about Robin:
From Sasha's journal said:
[Dec. 22, 2004] I have moved back to California, where I began my skating career and am training with my former coach, Mr. John Nicks. I will no longer be coached by Robin.
I will be training with Mr. Nicks through the U.S. Nationals at Portland, Oregon in mid-January. After the last several years training on the east coast, I have come to the realization that California is my home and it is time for me to return.Working with Robin for the past year has been a wonderful experience for me. She is a great coach and friend. Robin is supportive of my decision to move home to California to be back with my friends and family. I wish her nothing but the best in the future.... I think my decision to move back to California will improve the quality of my life, which will in turn benefit my skating.
[Jan 13 2005] I have seen so much change in my skating since I’ve moved home. Mr. Nicks’ biggest influence is he has given me more confidence in my skating. He told me not to worry about my jumping. Just concentrate on the whole. I have had very good practices and run-throughs with my programs before coming to Portland. In the two years since I’ve been away from Mr. Nicks I have made a tremendous amount of improvement and now I’m able to use more of what he’s got to offer.
With reference to her not practicing at the Olympics, here is Eurosport's take on it:
Eurosport.com said:
A day after squeezing into the lead past Russian favourite Irina Slutskaya in the women's short programme, Cohen decided to skip training at the Palavela rink. It was the second day running the 21-year-old Californian did not turn up for a scheduled practice session. As the move did her no harm on Tuesday, when she chose to have a lie in while most of her rivals were going through their paces, Cohen was again nowhere to be seen. "She has trained very hard, stamina is not a problem with her," Cohen's coach John Nicks told reporters. "We just thought it would be a better strategy to rest a bit."
Cohen was the last of 29 skaters to take to the ice on Tuesday and her dazzling routine allowed her to nudge ahead of Slutskaya by just 0.03 of a point. The late night outing seemed to have also taken its toll on the U.S. champion, who has never won a major international event. "She didn't sleep very well last night. She was tired," said Nicks. "We thought it would be better for her to be rested... and try to be energised for (Thursday) night."
I really don't have the time or desire to do a full-length analysis of Sasha's career; however, I think that her long string of successive podium finishes suggests that her training habits are pretty damn good.
If her training habits are going to be analyzed then her record of injuries certainly needs to be taken into account.
The fact that she has few GOLD medals is a mystery that I think many skating fans want to find a reason for. To me the best answer is mental issues (self-confidence, ability to handle pressure, competitive spirit, etc). She, her coaches, and TV commentators have repeatedly said she jumps fine in practice. Lack of training does not seem to be the problem.
Spun Silver... you are my hero... 
