An underdog is going to get more support, and of course the whole 'traitor to Russia' thing (I know it's a minority but still) is going to lead to sympathy from North Americans.
The people who called her "traitor" were very much a minority, as you said. Just the same as few ass-hats called Zagitova all sorts of ethnic slurs (she is Tatar, and culturally a Muslim), and wished her all sorts of injuries.
But! "moving to Canada" was not what the majority of Medvedeva's ex-fans objected to. There were several other issues in Med's behavior and conduct they strongly disliked and felt she was manipulating their feelings all this time. Some did not like the manner in which she left her coach. Some did not like her position in public, to "place herself ahead of Zagitova and diminish Zagitova's win". Some did not like her rabid fans who were aggressive and pushy, to under mind Zagitova's win. Some did not like the barrage of negativity started against "various russian skaters, coaches, methods" which leaked as "rumors into the press" once Medvedeva came to Canada, western media gladly picking it up and... etc.
But! Medvedeva and Co. chose to only highlight and address the "traitor" accusations, because that would deter the attention from "other negative issues she created", and give her the most sympathy.
Addressing only the "traitor to Russia" posts (from just a few people) was a blunt "Red Herring".
I was Med's biggest fan, wanted her to win over Zagitova. When Zagitova won, i was sad for Medvedeva..... Then a lot of ungracious things happened from Medvedeva's side. It was becoming more and more clear as the situation progressed, that she was/is a two-faced conniving manipulator, who did and said a lot of things for sake of publicity and popularity, while playing "perfect person/perfect athlete"... "Best 2nd daughter to Eteri", "Best Friend off the ice to Alina", "Best Russian and a Best Patriot in the whole Russia, even if 1/2 Armenian, she does not feel Armenian..", "The lover of K-Pop, which she quickly dropped after Korean Olys ended", and much much more..
A lot of her fans (not all of course) turned against her because they felt lied to and manipulated. Many also did not like Medvedeva's comments to Eteri about Alina's win (after the FS in Korea). There is not proof she said "why could not you hold Alina back for 1 year".... But there is un-official video, in K-n-C, where she is talking to Eteri and saying phrases that supposed to make Eteri feel guilty about Zagitova.
in a disdained sarcastic tone and look on her face she says to Eteri "well, congratulations.... you now have an Olympic winner"....... and then (something like) "you gave Alina all the components to make it possible beat me" or "you gave Alina all the tools to win over me"...
... and now, it is about the unfairness of her going to the Worlds, where the deck of cards were marked against Liza before "the game even started", because Med has powerful sponsors who twisted the Federation's arm to include her on the team.
So, i can assure you, it is NOT about her "moving to Canada"..
