“In the USA coaches work very carefully, within very strict limits and, perhaps, sometimes they can’t reveal their potential.” Opinion of Estonian figure skater Elena Glebova
Seven-time Estonian champion in figure skating Elena Glebova spoke about the differences in the training of figure skaters in the USA, Europe and Russia.
source: Forbes
Elena Glebova: I trained in America for three years. There, renting a skating rink is very expensive, and parents pay for it themselves. Therefore, an athlete, even a small one, goes to training more consciously.
There is a lot of state support in Russia, ice is free. Therefore, sometimes athletes do not appreciate this time.
In Europe, the position of parents is completely different than in Russia. They bring children to sports more for health than for results. Almost everyone thinks that education comes first, and training is like a hobby. And even athletes who represent Estonia at the World Championships or the Olympics go to school without any indulgence.
The first practice is at 6-7 am, then a full day at school, and another practice in the evening. The load is very high, but still there are not enough training hours.
In the US, you can’t raise your voice, scold, criticize a child at all. Parents clearly monitor these moments, if they don’t like something, they immediately sue. This is the norm for them.
Therefore, coaches work very carefully and, perhaps, sometimes they cannot reveal their potential, as they are forced to exist within very strict limits.
In Europe, the situation is a little more free. Although hitting a child with a skate guard or yelling at him is also unacceptable.
In Russia, the methods are tougher. Perhaps that is why Russian skaters have such outstanding results.
Related topics: Elena Glebova
No wonder why it’s ansolutely normal to beat and yell at kids and Russia when their army is raping kids in Ukraine and Russians consider it no big deal..
The lady skaters from Russia and her allies are among the most likable, pleasant, lovely, and talented beauties I’ve ever seen.
If they are willing and if they are asked, they could become easily the best good will ambassadors for their respective homelands in history.