From Russia With Love (#36) Spring into Summer 2020

[Ka3sha]

Wanted to make an attempt to turn this thread back to figure skating news and actual discussions, but have found only a recent interview with Anna Semenovich....

«Люди хотят зрелого женского катания? Это не конкурс бикини, формы нужны там». Острое интервью Семенович

Разбор полетов в фигурном катании от звезды российской эстрады и вице-чемпионки России Анны Семенович.

sport-express.ru

 

[barbarafan]

Okay, I get that Med has managed to thoroughly piss some people off due to perceived misbehaviors and insensitivity. Therefore, the suggestion or request would be that she dial it down a notch or two — but are we talking about Japan or North Korea, here?! I’m beginning to wonder.

Eta: not taking either side — but three deep breaths, everyone.

Saw an instagram the other day with Ekaterina Kurakova (the junior Russian skater who now skates for Poland and trains at TCC)she and her mom checked in with Russian Embassy & were told they should leave Canada then as (I guess thinking of future possible traveling changes)that they might not be able to leave Canada for a yr and a half possibly so they decided to go back home to Russia so family will be together. She is working off-ice and trains via virtual with TCC a few times a week. Who knows what Med was told.

 

[taz'smum]

Russian Olympic Committee president interview

An excerpt -

Your forecast - when can the training process resume?
- The situation in sports is not much different from the situation in ordinary life. We have seen that the active phase of the epidemic in China lasted about three and a half months. If we take the end of March as a reference point, then approximately in the second half of June, theoretically, we can count on the resumption of training. We communicate with colleagues from the national Olympic committees of other countries who have already passed the plateau in terms of incidence, and there are about the same dates as I called. A number of NOCs are ready to open Olympic training centers, but with significant limitations. And in the overwhelming majority of cases abroad, athletes train at home, since it is difficult to maintain the required social distance at the bases, and in some sports it is impossible. Our monitoring group is closely monitoring what is happening in other countries. No matter how cynical it sounds, but due to the later development of the pandemic in Russia, we have a slight advantage over other states. We can use their experience, look at how and where already open centers work, and draw our conclusions.

 

[barbarafan]

Russian Olympic Committee president interview

An excerpt -

Your forecast - when can the training process resume?
- The situation in sports is not much different from the situation in ordinary life. We have seen that the active phase of the epidemic in China lasted about three and a half months. If we take the end of March as a reference point, then approximately in the second half of June, theoretically, we can count on the resumption of training. We communicate with colleagues from the national Olympic committees of other countries who have already passed the plateau in terms of incidence, and there are about the same dates as I called. A number of NOCs are ready to open Olympic training centers, but with significant limitations. And in the overwhelming majority of cases abroad, athletes train at home, since it is difficult to maintain the required social distance at the bases, and in some sports it is impossible. Our monitoring group is closely monitoring what is happening in other countries. No matter how cynical it sounds, but due to the later development of the ********* in Russia, we have a slight advantage over other states. We can use their experience, look at how and where already open centers work, and draw our conclusions.

Thanks

 

[muffinplus]

Wanted to make an attempt to turn this thread back to figure skating news and actual discussions, but have found only a recent interview with Anna Semenovich....

«Люди хотят зрелого женского катания? Это не конкурс бикини, формы нужны там». Острое интервью Семенович

Разбор полетов в фигурном катании от звезды российской эстрады и вице-чемпионки России Анны Семенович.

sport-express.ru

There is an interview with Maria Sotskova if you or someone else wants to translate

«После Олимпиады меня мучили страшные сны». Интервью Марии Сотсковой

О дружбе с соперницей, об опыте проживания поражения главного старта в карьере и о балете, который не мешает спорту.

matchtv.ru

 

[rfisher]

The story about her dancing in the park was picked up by Reuters. There have been complaints to the authorities and Russian embassy

 

[TAHbKA]

There is an interview with Maria Sotskova if you or someone else wants to translate

«После Олимпиады меня мучили страшные сны». Интервью Марии Сотсковой

О дружбе с соперницей, об опыте проживания поражения главного старта в карьере и о балете, который не мешает спорту.

matchtv.ru

She is rather irrelevant. I.e. her talks about the new programmes...

 

[Wyliefan]

The story about her dancing in the park was picked up by Reuters. There have been complaints to the authorities and Russian embassy

Can you give the link? I've been Googling but can't find it. Thanks!

 

[rfisher]

Can you give the link? I've been Googling but can't find it. Thanks!

It popped up on my cell phone. I get alerts about figure skating. It was a short statement that just said complaints had been filed with both the local authorities and the embassy.

 

[Ka3sha]

Andrei Lazukin was able to get a surgery on his knee, it had been postponed due to current situation.
He is already at home, should be able to be back on the ice in 1-1,5 months, but can start jumping only in 3 months

Лазукин: должен восстановиться после операции за месяц-полтора

Российский фигурист Андрей Лазукин рассказал РИА Новости, что его восстановление после операции на колене займет до полутора месяцев. РИА Новости Спорт, 02.05.2020

rsport.ria.ru

 

[muffinplus]

She is rather irrelevant. I.e. her talks about the new programmes...

She is still skating though... Anyone who can't make Russian national team/isn't competitive to make it right now is then irrelevant.

There is a long Aliev interview as well... though it's a video, not in print format, if someone wants to translate that :

VK.com | VK

vk.com

 

[Bellanca]

The story about her dancing in the park was picked up by Reuters. There have been complaints to the authorities and Russian embassy

Apologies if already posted in the thread and I missed it, but did Evgenia travel with anyone? Her mom? Solo?

Imo, at this point, even if the park is open, it seems that Med has probably pushed the maximum amount of goodwill afforded to her. Might be better for her to meet the situation (and those offended) halfway and chill out somewhere that is not the park. I know she’s looking for ice time, but I would lay low for the time being. It’s not worth stirring the pot anymore — even if the entire ordeal was unintentional.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Veronika Zhilina and her sister (also a skater) found a place to practice....... on ice, and less than 100 meters from their house

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[rfisher]

Apologies if already posted in the thread and I missed it, but did Evgenia travel with anyone? Her mom? Solo?

Imo, at this point, even if the park is open, it seems that Med has probably pushed the maximum amount of goodwill afforded to her. Might be better for her to meet the situation (and those offended) halfway and chill out somewhere that is not the park. I know she’s looking for ice time, but I would lay low for the time being. It’s not worth stirring the pot anymore — even if the entire ordeal was unintentional.

No idea. The little article didn't mention anyone but her.

 

[greenapple]

Evgenia went to Japan with her mother.

 

[Tinami Amori]

It popped up on my cell phone. I get alerts about figure skating. It was a short statement that just said complaints had been filed with both the local authorities and the embassy.

I also saw it on Reuters and one Japanese internet publication, but did not save it. Not only there are complaints to local government authorities and russian embassy, but to Brian Orser. This one is very recent and here it is.

https://i.imgur.com/nLXAnte.jpg

Evgenia went to Japan with her mother.

People who follow Med's story closely and digg into details, say that not only mother went with her, she invented the whole tactic of how to cover up her travels to and in Japan with the "show responsibility". Mother thought that all people would buy this, but many people did not ....... from the very start of seing Meda's foto in the airport. We all screamed "this is yet another one of her schemes".

Her mother since after college until now had a media related careers. She is now a high-rank executive in an anime production company, and part of her job is presentations, advertising, and PR. Medvedeva is an apple which does not fall far from the tree.

It was the Mother who went and "knocked on the office doors" of the decesion-making various russian sports authorities to "do something about Zagitova" before the Olympics. It's been 2 years so more people involved are talking about it.

It was the Mother who contributed (to some extent) to Lipnitskaya's and her mother's departure from Khrystalny. Hopefully Lip's mother, who is not from a shy-dozen, will feel free to tell openly everything to the public (and not just to some individuals).

So yes, the mother is with Medvedeva, teaching her the skills, which is fairly common to us russians - how to avoid following rules and laws by going around them to get ahead for personal benefitw with an approach "all is fair in work and sports".

 

[Bellanca]

The backstory regarding the Olympic year maneuvering by Med and her Mother has very subtle shades of the infamous Harding/Kerrigan “the whack heard around the world” saga, but without the whack.

It’s too bad there continues to be so much shucking and jiving to secure the top prize before anyone has even hit the ice.

Presently, they have a PR problem brewing over in Japan. Probably time for a vacation.

 

[Japanfan]

I don't think the word 'docile' is accurate at all.

Undeniably, Japanese society has a sense of order and discipline that is actually quite intimidating.

Certainly leaves societies where everyone runs around like headless chickens in the dust.

I spent a bit of time in Japan stressing about which bin to even put my rubbish in, because it's all sorted so perfectly. I didn't want to be that dumb foreigner mucking it up. So keeping that in mind, it's not a place where I'd want to be as a foreigner moving through regional sections of the country against government recommendations.

Having spent almost three years in Japan, I would say the word 'docile' is spot on.

According to www.dictionary.com, docile means "easily managed or handled; tractable: a docile horse.
readily trained or taught; teachable".

The order and discipline that characterize Japan requires a level of docility. As they say in Japan, 'the nail that stands up will get trampled down'.

I'll never forget one experience in Japan. I was in an elevator, and the elevator had an 'elevator girl'. Her job was to say something like 'thank you very much, have a nice day'.

I was the only person on the elevator, but the elevator stopped at every floor. And the elevator girl bowed and said her thing each time, even though no one had gotten off the elevator. It was creepy - very Big Brotherish.

 

[Bellanca]

^ I’m sure she was being monitored - the eye in the sky and everything.

 

[marie1616]

If anyone has the time and commitment to translate the interview Tanja Volosozhar did with Aljona Savchenko today I would really appreciate it.

Here is a link to the interview

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[mjb52]

That is a perfect pairing!

 

[Eeyora1]

I also saw it on Reuters and one Japanese internet publication, but did not save it. Not only there are complaints to local government authorities and russian embassy, but to Brian Orser. This one is very recent and here it is.

https://i.imgur.com/nLXAnte.jpg

People who follow Med's story closely and digg into details, say that not only mother went with her, she invented the whole tactic of how to cover up her travels to and in Japan with the "show responsibility". Mother thought that all people would buy this, but many people did not ....... from the very start of seing Meda's foto in the airport. We all screamed "this is yet another one of her schemes".

Her mother since after college until now had a media related careers. She is now a high-rank executive in an anime production company, and part of her job is presentations, advertising, and PR. Medvedeva is an apple which does not fall far from the tree.

It was the Mother who went and "knocked on the office doors" of the decesion-making various russian sports authorities to "do something about Zagitova" before the Olympics. It's been 2 years so more people involved are talking about it.

It was the Mother who contributed (to some extent) to Lipnitskaya's and her mother's departure from Khrystalny. Hopefully Lip's mother, who is not from a shy-dozen, will feel free to tell openly everything to the public (and not just to some individuals).

So yes, the mother is with Medvedeva, teaching her the skills, which is fairly common to us russians - how to avoid following rules and laws by going around them to get ahead for personal benefitw with an approach "all is fair in work and sports".

Plus who probably filmed the video in the park?

 

[Mad for Skating]

I'm confused if this is directed at me. No one here ever said 'docile'.

I wasn’t referring to you in particular - you have said nothing wrong. It’s just been my experience that many people assume all Asian people - especially women - are meek and submissive. (This stereotype can be a huge obstacle for Asian and Asian American girls, but that’s a topic for another post). I think Asian cultures tend to put an emphasis on respectfulness, but that doesn’t mean all Asians follow those guidelines.

Exaggeration is our best friend, eh? No one apart from you called Medvedeva a sadist - there’s a whole world of difference between sadism and entitlement and sheer irresponsibility. And no one is crucifying her exactly.

I’m not criticizing the people who have respectfully called her out for her irresponsible behavior. I like her but I think she is being unwise right now, and she needs to be informed that she is not doing the right thing. However, I’ve actually seen a lot of posts that cross the line from constructive criticism to harassment. If you go on Twitter, you will find dozens of nasty tweets calling her a bad person rather than just criticizing her actions. She is being irresponsible, but I don’t think she is intentionally trying to hurt anyone, as some people have implied.

 

[clairecloutier]

Honestly, I find this stuff about Medvedeva to be such a tempest in a teacup. Don't people have more important things to concern themselves with right now than the actions of one figure skater?

 

[starrynight]

Honestly, I find this stuff about Medvedeva to be such a tempest in a teacup. Don't people have more important things to concern themselves with right now than the actions of one figure skater?

As Medvedeva is the only skater doing anything interesting/controversial right now ... probably not lol. It's either talk about Medvedeva or wonder if the Grand Prix Series will be cancelled.

 

[Ka3sha]

BTW, Russian figure skating federation admitted that they intend to put Zagitova, Medvedeva and Tuktamysheva names on the main team list, as well as Kostornaia, Trusova and Sherbakova.

ФФККР планирует включить Загитову и Медведеву в состав сборной России

Федерация фигурного катания на коньках России (ФФККР) планирует включить олимпийскую чемпионку 2018 года Алину Загитову и двукратную чемпионку мира Евгению... РИА Новости Спорт, 03.05.2020

rsport.ria.ru

The full list of athletes will be named after an Executive Committee meeting, but they still have to decide how and when this meeting will be organized.

 

[binbinwinwin]

Honestly, I find this stuff about Medvedeva to be such a tempest in a teacup. Don't people have more important things to concern themselves with right now than the actions of one figure skater?

Maybe if you live overseas it is not important to you but it's important to people living in Japan. Their Prime Minister is being criticized for handling the pandemic very poorly and there are Japanese people who are choosing not to follow guidelines and endangering others around there. Evgenia is not a citizen, can she can keep 1-2 weeks worth of food with her in a hotel to decrease her trips and lessen contact with others? My Japanese friend who currently lives in Tokyo says that there are very strict criteria to being tested for covid-19 and that foreigners are being denied care and tests and getting rerouted to different clinics and hospitals because of language barrier. If Evgenia gets sick, what would happen to her? It's a matter of public health for Japanese citizens, if she posts it publicly they have every right to criticize her.

 

[VGThuy]

I think an issue is that the constructive and justified criticism is easily lost in the past two years of crazy directed at her and the execution of such criticism that is simply toxic and does nothing to get the message across but instead is just being used as an opportunity for a person to yell incessantly at her and to direct vitriol at her because it makes them feel better. In other words, now there’s something real to criticize her for but all the yelling and screaming isn’t fruitful because she’s been conditioned to learn a survival skill of not listening because of all the bs that had been directed at her from the past. Plus, it makes one wonder how genuinely concerned some of the loudest and most toxic critics are of her behavior in Japan since they seem to be using it as an excuse to further some fan/flame war against her. Don’t take my post personally unless you think it applies to you.

 

[Fairuza]

I think an issue is that the constructive and justified criticism is easily lost in the past two years of crazy directed at her and the execution of such criticism that is simply toxic and does nothing to get the message across but instead is just being used as an opportunity for a person to yell incessantly at her and to direct vitriol at her because it makes them feel better. In other words, now there’s something real to criticize her for but all the yelling and screaming isn’t fruitful because she’s been conditioned to learn a survival skill of not listening because of all the bs that had been directed at her from the past. Plus, it makes one wonder how genuinely concerned some of the loudest and most toxic critics are of her behavior in Japan since they seem to be using it as an excuse to further some fan/flame war against her. Don’t take my post personally unless you think it applies to you.

So basically, what do you suggest they do - keep silent about it?

 

[VGThuy]

So basically, what do you suggest they do - keep silent about it?

How productive has yelling about it here and “debating” passionately with other posters on FSU been? Honestly, it’s beyond anyone’s control now. All the people who told her how bad her behavior was even in a reasonable and rational fashion will get lost in the rest. It’s been years in the making. The only thing one can do is say their piece as calmly as possible and just say it once. Either she’ll get the message or she won’t. Brow-beating her only serves to feed one’s need to antagonize.