There is something to be said about star power. In every picture Medvedeva is front and center...

interesting that asked that. after the Europeans a person on another chat-site asked why did Zagitova let Kostner and Medvedeva go ahead of her during the winners' circle after the Medal Ceremony. The only explanation is, Zagitova was raised properly and understands the existing concept of "Seniority". Both, Med and Caro, are (per Zagitova herself) are her role-models, they are more accomplished and older than she is, and it is only proper to let them ahead. It does not detract from her winning Gold medal.
Pretty much the same at the Russian events. Zagitova has Gold, it's hers and so are the higher payments from the IOC and Russian Feds. But Medvedeva is older and more accomplished (at present), and Alina respects that.
Evgenia Medvedeva and Ekaterina Bobrova were on the popular talk-show, Evening Urgent, few days ago
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZULrfVJCbP0
I saw that! Poor Med, with her evening dress, is wearing her old flat slippers which she wears at home and after practice (seen on some fun videos). Her leg must hurt, because otherwise she wears high hills to public events.
Another "fun subject" (since there is no translation for this video): The song that made Evgeniya produce a urine sample.
Bob/Med is telling about a funny incident after the FS at the last Europeans. Medvedeva was pulled in for a drug test. She had no fluids in her body, and could not "produce" for several hours, with 4 people standing over her. The rink was already closed, it was dark, and she did not know what to do. So in panic she telephoned Bobrova, asking what to do. Bobrova was sitting in a restaurant in the middle of down-town Moscow, celebrating with bunch of other skaters. But she dropped the party, jumped in a taxi, came to the rink, to help Evgeniya with body-functions. Bobrova used her own method - she watches youtube videos with pop-songs that have to do with "water dripping" like songs about "rain" or "tears".... Few songs did not work...

. So tried a funny one, from an old Russian comedy movie "Ivan Ivanovich changes career"... and it worked....

So this what made Evgeniya "go"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tDZl_wj8Fo (the tears are dripping from Marucya's face when she waves farewell to her soldier husband).