Mikhail Kolyada

[RoundedBackCamel]

I don't see Japan as a threat for team event due to the other categories. Placing as close to US is most important (although I guess they can take points off the others).

Hanyu, Nathan and Shoma clean aren't touchable for Mark Kondratyuk. Doing 2 quads with Mikhail would be risky, so 1 quad for me is ideal for team event with him.

I see now. Thanks for clarifying. I didn’t realize you were referring to the team event. So coaches’ council is not the final word, and now I understand why that wouldn’t be the case. It would be the Fed’s word. Ppl were upset that Mishin had not championed Kolyada. [This post originally had a lot of my blathering but kept crashing. Perhaps that’s a good thing as it makes me more concise ;-)]

 

[RoundedBackCamel]

I’m just going to play it safe and start a new post to apologize for the messed-up formatting. I didn’t have Kolyadafan correctly as a quote. Sorry!

 

[Tutto]

Is there any update on Mika's injury? Is he back training?

 

[RoundedBackCamel]

I’m trying to find a post about Russians pulling him from Euros because of Covid and to *prevent* injury, but that was speculation. In the same post, they questioned what the point was about of avoiding Covid when he and Liza were back training. I need to find it to figure out if it was legit source.

 

[vorravorra]

Is there any update on Mika's injury? Is he back training?

Yes, that's what's been said.

I’m trying to find a post about Russians pulling him from Euros because of Covid and to *prevent* injury, but that was speculation. In the same post, they questioned what the point was about of avoiding Covid when he and Liza were back training. I need to find it to figure out if it was legit source.

I don't particularly believe they invented a non-existent injury, but if they did it was one of the worst miscalculations imaginable. Misha's team event spot is most likely gone now, which I strongly doubt was the intention

 

[RoundedBackCamel]

Yes, that's what's been said.

I don't particularly believe they invented a non-existent injury, but if they did it was one of the worst miscalculations imaginable. Misha's team event spot is most likely gone now, which I strongly doubt was the intention

I got that sense too. And that sucks. I had such mixed emotions watching the Euros. I tend to champion Russian men’s team, but not at the expense of one of my all-time favorite skaters. The 18 y.o. are relatively generic (except for wild but in truth compelling Mark who still needs to develop ss) and, honestly, are not tested over the course of many years. I REALLY wanted a redemption story for Kolyada. He seems to not have gotten his mojo back after last Olys. I was also careful not to be critical of JB fans being outraged at the possibility that he might not be chosen for Olys bcs I see parallels here. I also sense that Malinin, with Russian heritage, influenced RusFed.

The abandonment of Misha by fickle fandoms and people swooning over next gen skaters irks the heck out of me. At least JB has retained a rabid fanbase.

 

[vorravorra]

I got that sense too. And that sucks. I had such mixed emotions watching the Euros. I tend to champion Russian men’s team, but not at the expense of one of my all-time favorite skaters. The 18 y.o. are relatively generic (except for wild but in truth compelling Mark who still needs to develop ss) and, honestly, are not tested over the course of many years. I REALLY wanted a redemption story for Kolyada. He seems to not have gotten his mojo back after last Olys. I was also careful not to be critical of JB fans being outraged at the possibility that he might not be chosen for Olys bcs I see parallels here. I also sense that Malinin, with Russian heritage, influenced RusFed.

The abandonment of Misha by fickle fandoms and people swooning over next gen skaters irks the heck out of me. At least JB has retained a rabid fanbase.

I don't think I've seen Misha's true fans abandon him. Especially considering that Misha's fans tend to appreciate different things than what Mark shows, so it wouldn't be a natural switch. Those who only support a skater while he's at the top, those have happily dumped Misha. But in truth most of those had got sick of him a while ago because he hadn't won enough and were happy to consign him to the dustbin of history once they got the chance.

 

[Tutto]

I don't think I've seen Misha's true fans abandon him. Especially considering that Misha's fans tend to appreciate different things than what Mark shows, so it wouldn't be a natural switch. Those who only support a skater while he's at the top, those have happily dumped Misha. But in truth most of those had got sick of him a while ago because he hadn't won enough and were happy to consign him to the dustbin of history once they got the chance.

Abandon him? - Never!
I am not sure all that hate touches him as much as we think. He knows he is got the legions of fans both in Russia & abroad , the way he is cheered on at competitions is genuine - he's got people's love. The RusFed does support him in many ways he remains to be too valuable not to - he has been earning spots for Russia internationally and they know that. So mainly all these wars happen in the media fuelled by a few individuals (TAT, Yagudin & Co) with what appears to be a personal grudge against him. Such talent as his always attracts envy & jealousy. He might have developed some defence mechanism to deal with that by now as all the elite athletes do. So I wouldn't put too much importance on that.
The burning question was and is the state of his injury. The silence kills me. Mishin could have given some update by now if all was okayish?
I do not doubt the injury was genuine, just do not see any reason for thinking otherwise.

If he is fit enough he will compete in China. Yes, his place at the team event in jeopardy but 'every cloud...' It is a lose -lose situation almost. Would be interesting to hear from him - would he be very upset or there will be some relief too if Mark is picked over him?
The cruelty is that the Rus Fed is not going to make a decision till close to the deadline, imagine what is like for the skaters? I almost wish the Oly were done & finished with - it is all too intense
I admit that I enjoyed the Euros a lot without that almost painful turmoil of emotions when he is competing - a terrible thing to say I know...

 

[vorravorra]

Abandon him? - Never!
I am not sure all that hate touches him as much as we think. He knows he is got the legions of fans both in Russia & abroad , the way he is cheered on at competitions is genuine - he's got people's love. The RusFed does support him in many ways he remains to be too valuable not to - he has been earning spots for Russia internationally and they know that. So mainly all these wars happen in the media fuelled by a few individuals (TAT, Yagudin & Co) with what appears to be a personal grudge against him. Such talent as his always attracts envy & jealousy. He might have developed some defence mechanism to deal with that by now as all the elite athletes do. So I wouldn't put too much importance on that.
The burning question was and is the state of his injury. The silence kills me. Mishin could have given some update by now if all was okayish?
I do not doubt the injury was genuine, just do not see any reason for thinking otherwise.

If he is fit enough he will compete in China. Yes, his place at the team event in jeopardy but 'every cloud...' It is a lose -lose situation almost. Would be interesting to hear from him - would he be very upset or there will be some relief too if Mark is picked over him?
The cruelty is that the Rus Fed is not going to make a decision till close to the deadline, imagine what is like for the skaters? I almost wish the Oly were done & finished with - it is all too intense
I admit that I enjoyed the Euros a lot without that almost painful turmoil of emotions when he is competing - a terrible thing to say I know...

Misha's way is to close himself off completely, he could never selectively filter emotional imput due to his "thin-skinness". Which is why certain journalists are mad at him for ignoring them.

On another note, here are excerpts from Mishin's English-language book where he talks about Misha collected in one post. Probably not everyone has seen them.

https://fso.icebb.ru/viewtopic.php?id=3650&p=40#p2791192

 

[vorravorra]

~After watching Fedor Zonov~ Chebotareva should organize a camp where every skater is sent to learn skating skills. What's her secret, seriously? She seems to be able to teach just about anyone to skate well. It's a really good thing that Misha grew up in her group. They are also really good at teaching choreo basics but I know what the secret is there, many many hours of hard work.

 

[Tutto]

Misha's way is to close himself off completely, he could never selectively filter emotional imput due to his "thin-skinness". Which is why certain journalists are mad at him for ignoring them.

On another note, here are excerpts from Mishin's English-language book where he talks about Misha collected in one post. Probably not everyone has seen them.

https://fso.icebb.ru/viewtopic.php?id=3650&p=40#p2791192

Many thanks, a very interesting read!

 

[Tutto]

Okay, some certainty at last. He wouldn't be on the team if he wasn't fit to skate. At least we know that.
I would say at this stage he chances for the Team Event is about 5%. At the same time it seems to me the Fed must have some doubts about Mark too otherwise the media campaign against Mika would have died out by now.
I sincerely wish selfishly for my sanity that they'll pick Mark.
We shall see. Imagine Men's short only two weeks away!

 

[BabySloth]

Today is a sad day. Misha has to be one of the unluckiest skaters ever. I was really hoping he could win Euros this season and Team gold with Russia and also place well in the individual event, blessing us with White Crow magic. And now...nothing. I hope he gets well soon.

 

[coldblueeyes]

I’m sad he doesn’t have the chance to do better things this time, but I just hope he’s alright. Hopefully no extra bad press will come his way.

As I said in the other thread, I’m feeling at peace with this. Four years ago was bad enough.

 

[Giu]

Noooo, he’s really unlucky! I was looking forward to seeing him competing at the Olympics

 

[lariko]

Terrible news for everyone. (Sigh) I hope Kolyada recovers without damaging consequences, but this is just such bad news all around.

 

[Azikin]

A complete disaster. I'm saying it all the time that they should be more careful. Euros were miraculously spared but now this...

 

[vorravorra]

There are a lot of conspiracy theories floating about and "if it was Valieva they would have kept quiet and waited for a negative test". I absolutely wouldn't put it past the Fed to pull this if it was a skater they actually thought would prove valuable at the Olympics, although I by no means approve. But it is what it is.

 

[vorravorra]

A bit of insider info. Misha was seen training on the 19th and at full strength, so his injury must have stopped bothering him. He must have got sick in the last few days.

 

[Mauvedreamer]

Really sad for him, I hope he isn't too unwell and recovers soon. So many people will miss seeing his beautiful skating and the masterpiece that is White Crow.