Alina Zagitova's statement about the suspension of her career was a complete surprise for figure skating enthusiasts. The skater announced this late on December 13, noting that she would return to the sport when she found the necessary motivation again.
According to the first Russian world champion in women's single skating, Maria Butyrskaya, Zagitova does not want to feel that she is no longer the best in her sport.
“Alina knows herself so well that she made a very difficult decision, but probably the right one. Surely she is also not very happy now. But she acted openly and honestly towards the fans who love her so much. We need to respect her decision and in no case condemn or say that she was afraid of something there. Alina is unique, and she has already proved so much to herself and to us, and in a short time. She was the best skater in the world, and after that, of course, she no longer wants to be not the first. She feels it. She behaved beautifully and with dignity, did not let anyone catch on for some kind of sensation - she told about everything herself, ”Butyrskaya told RT.
The former skater did not make suggestions when Zagitova could return to the big sport, but emphasized that this would not be easy.
“It's hard to talk and I don’t want to predict. She did not say goodbye, but ahead of her is waiting for a very eventful and interesting life related to figure skating. It will be very difficult to come back in any case, plus figure skating does not stand still, it moves forward. You need to get very bored and really want to return. But I think she herself will also tell us if she decides to finally end her career, ”Butyrskaya said.
Olympic champion in ice dancing Andrei Bukin is confident that Zagitova will be able to return in the future and perform no worse than Evgenia Medvedeva. An additional motivation for her may be the desire for the second time to win the gold of the Olympic Games.
“This is a continuation of the logical chain of everything that happened in the past year and a half after the Olympic Games. She is well done, she tried herself after all her big victories, tried to extend her career. But, as she herself said, she could not cope with her physical changes. Yes, it’s not easy for her, so now this is probably the right decision. Now it will take shape and, if it continues to train in the same way, will be able to continue to fight, as at present Evgenia Medvedeva. She will be able to return and be a strong rival for other girls, who, by the way, will also grow. Now we have to wait. Skaters may well compete until the age of 25-27 and show good results. Let Alina breathe and understand for herself whether she is able to psychologically overcome this line. She really has everything, but maybe she wants to win another Olympic gold, ”said a former RT athlete.
Olympic champion television commentator Alexei Yagudin urged fans to support Zagitova’s decision and accept it.
“Alina has the right to do whatever she wants: to finish with figure skating, continue to practice or take a break and decide on plans for the next season. She made the maximum in figure skating - she won absolutely all the titles. Then she can do whatever she wants. She is an adult and has the right to lead her life. And we, as people who over the past few years have looked at her and empathized with her, if we have a heart and brains, we can only support any of her decisions, ”said Yagudin TASS.
Well-known trainer Tatyana Tarasova is sure that physiological changes in her body prompted Zagitova to stop her career.
“Everyone once leaves, especially since she pauses her career, Tutberidze explained all this. So far it’s not possible, apparently, to go over this puberty, that's all. And there’s nothing like that. For one person to win an Olympic medal and a World Championship medal is not enough, for another person it’s different. She said that she already has everything. She really has titles absolutely everything, ”Tarasova told RIA Novosti.
She also noted that Zagitova’s career could not be resumed, and expressed regret that the skater had spent little time in sports.
“In order to remain interesting to the viewer in the show, you need to train, and she will probably do it. But I am sorry that only three programs measure the lifespan of an Olympic champion. She is still small and did not learn to lie, we understood what she was talking about, we heard her. We want her a happy life, she is the favorite of many people in the country, the main thing is that everything in her life goes together. Of course, she will not return, I think so, ”Tarasova believes.
Olympic champion Evgeni Plushenko believes that Zagitova will be able to compete with younger skaters if she learns the quadruple jump. According to Plushenko, she is able to do this.
“I think, on the one hand, the cause of this decision could be an injury, on the other - Alina sees our athletes with their quadruple jumps, it is now difficult for her to compete with them. In the arsenal you need to have a quadruple jump at least, and she has everything else to win: stunning artistry, gliding. But you need a quadruple, and she can do it. The main thing is to continue to train, prepare, speak, you should not give up, ”Plushenko said.