Zagitova announces a temporary suspension of her competitive career; will perform in shows, incl. 'Art on Ice 2020'

[Meoima]

So sad. This sounds like the beginning of the end of her competitive career.

To me, it sounds like she has decided to retire already. Best luck to her in the future.

 

[Carolla5501]

I feel like her skating has improved this year but I also am sure it's depressing to see what she would have to do to keep up with her competitors... Wish her every success.

 

[CaliSteve]

When she officially retires from skating, i hope she expands her future prospects outside of "skating world and coaching". Hope at some point she studies and starts a business.

So do I.

 

[my little pony]

does Eteri expect flowers if she is technically just on a break?

 

[kittysk8ts]

Don’t blame her a bit for needing a break, temporary or not. I think she’s a sweet kid and I’ve enjoyed her skating thus far. Looking forward to seeing her in her other projects and wishing her and her doggie and family the very best.

 

[Tinami Amori]

I'm glad she will eventually leave sambo. Poor girl is probably exhasuted from such a toxic place

In an interview she clearly said she is not leaving Sambo, staying with her coaches, will continue to practice and to skate, but not competitively this season. She also said that Sambo is her on-ice family and yes, you can call her other training mates "friends".

"Toxic" were the people who wanted "the other girl to win the Olympics" and tried to damage Zagitova in every way possible, and her coach, and they were not in Sambo..

This is her full interview on Russia Channel #1 - 21 minutes. (she got longer time allocation on central Russian prime time news, then any top government officials.. )

Сенсационное интервью Алины Загитовой для программы "Время". Полная версия.

Сенсационное признание Алины Загитовой. Олимпийская чемпионка в нашей студии со словами, которые поразят поклонников фигурного катания в самое сердце. Полный...

www.youtube.com

 

[Lacey]

I am very sad, but I guess not surprised, by the lose the weight to get the jumps statement. Quads Schmads.

 

[bardtoob]

I am glad she won the worlds last year. At least she proved herself and others that the Olympics were not just one lucky competiti

Yeah, but it was a Lipinski* lucky, not a Hughes/Sotnikova lucky, which is much more acceptable to fans.

* Now Lipinski/Zagitova lucky

 

[DreamSkates]

I hope she greatly enjoys all her new opportunities. It must be hard to pull back, at her age, having won everything.What an accomplishment! And knowing you cannot beat the younger ones with quads, at this point in time, it's healthier to take some time and give yourself a break.

 

[Tinami Amori]

I am very sad, but I guess not surprised, by the lose the weight to get the jumps statement. Quads Schmads.

Don't feel bad.... In my days we had the same "weight" conversations when doubles were going out and triples becoming a norm..... and later when a ladies LP required 6-7 triples.. and 10 years from now it will be about 4A if not earlier.. physics rule.

 

[Frau Muller]

Not an unexpected announcement but Zags will be missed. She has “the goods” to have a long career as spokesperson, model, icon in Russia & Japan. TV specials? Good luck!

 

[Japanfan]

It must be hard to pull back, at her age, having won everything.What an accomplishment! And knowing you cannot beat the younger ones with quads, at this point in time, it's healthier to take some time and give yourself a break.

Or maybe she just knows it is the right time. Having won everything, why would she compete against skaters who might beat her? Better to go out on a high.

 

[lily]

Everyone already saying goodbye is it 100 % sure that it is retirement not a break..?

 

[Maofan7]

Everyone already saying goodbye is it 100 % sure that it is retirement not a break..?

It was a long goodbye with Adelina Sotnikova. She has never been able to bring herself to the point whereby she concedes that she has reached the end of her competitive career, but the reality is that she has. I imagine that it will be the same with Zagitova. That is always the problem with winning the Olympic gold medal at such a young age. It sucks your motivation dry and brings your career to a premature end. That is why one has to admire Kataina Witt and Yuzuru Hanyu. They were never satisfield with just one Olympic title and were able to rise above the trappings of the initial Olympic title, to find the motivation and determination to carry on, and find ways to continue winning.

 

[lily]

It was a long goodbye with Adelina Sotnikova. She has never been able to bring herself to the point whereby she concedes that she has reached the end of her competitive career, but the reality is that she has. I imagine that it will be the same with Zagitova. That is always the problem with winning the Olympic gold medal at such a young age. It sucks your motivation dry and brings your career to a premature end. That is why one has to admire Kataina Witt and Yuzuru Hanyu. They were never satisfield with just one Olympic title and were able to rise above the trappings of the initial Olympic title, to find the motivation and determination to carry on and find ways to continue winning.

I guess the situation in Russia is not the same than in Japan for Yuzuru nor like it was in former DDR. Nobody knows what Alina really wants. In tv she says what she is obligated to say. Maybe she desperately wants to compete but it is not given her.

 

[Andrey aka Pushkin]

And now, to commemorate the long and glorious career of this Olympic and world champion, let's remember all the iconic programs and performances that advanced the figure skating, inspired the younger generation and will forever be written in the annals of the sport:



...

 

[feraina]

I think maybe the rivalry with Medvedeva last season kept Zagitova motivated somewhat. But last year they both stood on worlds podium. This year both are unlikely to make it to worlds. It’s not much of a competition when you can’t even get to the major comps.

 

[Frau Muller]

And now, to commemorate the long and glorious career of this Olympic and world champion, let's remember all the iconic programs and performances that advanced the figure skating, inspired the younger generation and will forever be written in the annals of the sport:



...

Fabulous, with the iconic red tutu! God bless her in her future career. I bet that she’ll fare magnificently.

Alina Zagitova (OAR) - Gold Medal | Women's Free Skating | PyeongChang 2018

Alina Zagitova an Olympic Athlete from Russia delighted the crowd and judges with this routine to win the Women's Figure Skating Free Skate gold at the Winte...

m.youtube.com

 

[Wyliefan]

And now, to commemorate the long and glorious career of this Olympic and world champion, let's remember all the iconic programs and performances that advanced the figure skating, inspired the younger generation and will forever be written in the annals of the sport:



...

That's a bit harsh. Personally, I found her Olympic long program memorable. Was it artistically sublime? No. Did she pull off an admirable technical feat with enthusiasm, joy, and lots of personality on the biggest stage in skating, while looking pretty darn adorable in her red tutu? I'd say yes.

 

[briancoogaert]

Not surprising and probably wise decision, but how sad for Figure Skating.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

On one of the GPF ladies broadcasts Johnny Weir said something like "One of the top level lite Russian elite ladies skaters called me and said now what do I do and what do I do with my life?"

I thought which ladies skater does Johnny have this relationship with... Could be several. First I thought it must be Tuk. Wondering now if it was Zag. Who knows..... So much change and so quickly....

 

[Vagabond]

does Eteri expect flowers if she is technically just on a break?

Chez Eteri, flowers are always appropriate.

 

[Wyliefan]

I'll also never forget this: https://youtu.be/t2T7e5AUcFk

That "look what I can do!" spirit was lovely to watch.

 

[Sylvia]

'It's a shame the career of an Olympic champion lasts just 3 seasons' – coaching legend Tarasova on Zagitova 'pause' decision

Figure skating coach Tatiana Tarasova has commented on Alina Zagitova’s career break decision, regretting that her senior level performances have been limited to just three seasons, during which she has won every major title.

www.rt.com

 

[UGG]

This “champion at 15, washed up at 17” scenario every year is making ladies skating so boring.

 

[skipaway]

This “champion at 15, washed up at 17” scenario every year is making ladies skating so boring.

Kind of like Thoroughbred Racing when the 3 yr olds are retired.
I do wish her well and hope she finds a good avenue for her future.

 

[wickedwitch]

Other than Yuna Kim, Zagitova has had the most post-Olys gold eligible success of any lady since Katt Witt. It's always been the skaters who haven't won Oly gold who have had long careers.

 

[Tinami Amori]

'It's a shame the career of an Olympic champion lasts just 3 seasons' – coaching legend Tarasova on Zagitova 'pause' decision

Figure skating coach Tatiana Tarasova has commented on Alina Zagitova’s career break decision, regretting that her senior level performances have been limited to just three seasons, during which she has won every major title.

www.rt.com

Tarasova few weeks ago and for the past year was raving about Zagitova, giving her every praise "she is tops, no matter what she does next", "she is the star of Russian skating", "what tremendous improvement, Team Eteri really knows how to develop their skaters, big praise!"

Tarasova does/says what's good for her politics and her agenda today and now. She is known to turn on a dime on cut and clear issues. Many talk about it.

By saying what she said now Tarasova does have an agenda (because something she was planning to do is somewhat affected by Zagitova's announcement). Tarasova now has to go for "plan B" and it is convenient to for her to take this stand now.

Part of it (but only a part of it) has to do that Tarasova is in "camp Averbuch", who has competing shows with Tatiana Navka's show, which stars, and will star in the future, Alina Zagitova.

and that's just one part of it, i'll skip the rest. It's politics... not a "true believe" in what she is saying. Had Team Eteri gave her a bit more access to their club/group/business, Tarasova would be saying totally different things and sounding just as "profound and concerned about future of skating"..

 

[missing]

Other than Yuna Kim, Zagitova has had the most post-Olys gold eligible success of any lady since Katt Witt. It's always been the skaters who haven't won Oly gold who have had long careers.

I was just about to post on a variant of this statement.

Zagitova and Kim are the only two skaters (male or female) to have won Junior Worlds, Junior Grand Prix Final, Europeans/4 Continents, Grand Prix Final, Worlds and the Olympics. Not even Hanyu can claim that (he won silver at 4 Continents multiple times).

In addition, Zagitova won a Russian National Championship. Undoubtedly Kim won her national championship as well, but the competition probably wasn't as fierce. To appreciate winning a Russian National Championship, one has to realize that Yagudin never won one.

In baseball parlance, Zagitova's is a first ballot Hall Of Fame career. She has won gold in every major event she has entered.

 

[Maofan7]

That's a bit harsh. Personally, I found her Olympic long program memorable. Was it artistically sublime? No. Did she pull off an admirable technical feat with enthusiasm, joy, and lots of personality on the biggest stage in skating, while looking pretty darn adorable in her red tutu? I'd say yes.

Yes - very harsh. She achieved a lot in a very short period of time with some memorable performances.

Figure skating seems to be very good at producing shooting stars that burn brightly for a brief period, but then burn out and disappear after only a few years. The ISU need to do a lot more to keep its top performers in the sport for longer. Every sport needs name recognition to build up a following. It’s no good having too much of a here today gone tomorrow situation.

But as for shooting stars, Jim Morrison probably said it best: “I see myself as a huge fiery comet, a shooting star. Everyone stops, points up and gasps "Oh look at that!" Then - whoosh, and I'm gone... and they'll never see anything like it ever again... and they won't be able to forget me - ever.”

Zagitova’s career may have been short, but she left her mark and she will be remembered