Life after Don Quixote

New Beginning

Alina POV

My gold medal at the Olympics was the best day of my life. That day was everything I could have hoped for. The thrill of the crowd as I skated off the ice, the proud look on my instructors faces, the excitement of jumping on top of the podium. Nothing can ever beat the feeling of it. The feeling of being...loved, wanted , accepted and most importantly the feeling of being the best. 

Perfection is something I have always chased. Something I believe every skater chases inwardly. Something every skater should try to achieve. I believe society has made the word "perfection" into something negative. "Nobodies perfect" everyone constantly repeats as if the mere idea is unfathomable. I agree. Nobody is perfect, but imagine if we all strived for perfection. Imagine a world where we all try to be the best version of ourselves. Imagine if we all tried to be...perfect. 

The Olympics was a pivotal point in my life, in my whole career. It was the day everything changed. From that point on I was no longer seen as "Evgenia's prodigy" but yet as an Olympic champion. 

"Student surpasses the teacher" headlines read referring to the relationship between Evgenia and I  "Evgenia Medvedeva vs Alina Zagitova is the figure skating showdown we've all been waiting for" read another tabloid

I get it of course. Everyone loves a good rivalry. Nancy vs Tonya, Katarina vs Debi, Yuna vs Mao, and of course the "Battle of the Brians." I think competition and rivalry is healthy as long as both parties remain respectful to each other of course. I like Evgenia contrary to popular belief. I look up to her and respect her even after everything we've been through.

Eteri explained to us both that rivalry is healthy and its important for us not to let the media affect our relationship. Even though we both tried our best to remain friends I would be lying to say it was easy. The media played a major tole on our relationship. We went from friends to "associates"

"Skating comes first" Eteri's words replayed in my mind

Before anything skating has always come first. No person was going to change that. 

The upcoming season was going to be hard. People have high expectations of me now. I must meet them. I had to prove to the people who doubted me that I deserved that gold medal and that I can represent my country proudly.

It's going to be a challenge. It seems each week I am growing taller and taller. Which is making it hard for jumps. My take off angles are changing almost constantly trying to get it right. Not to mention I have gained a little weight. I'm struggling.

Daniil tells me not to worry. That all great skaters go through this at some point in there career. He says all these changes are necessary. His eyes tell me a different story however. I look into his eyes and I see the same look I saw in Eteri's eyes when she watched me skate recently. I can only describe it as a look of "worry".

It was very seldom Eteri showed much feeling. She was very reserved and quiet like myself. The media of course uses that and spins it as "she doesn't care for her students" when that couldn't be less true. Eteri has been a mother for me and many other skaters. She may come across harsh, but she means well. I know she does. 

Eteri worries for me because she (unlike Daniil) thinks I should try to maintain a tiny frame. Makes our "aerodynamics" better as Evgenia so eloquently puts it.  Sure I diet. Diet like every single other figure skater does.

I feel weak some days, but skating makes it better. Recently Evgenia left to go train with Orser. Eteri hasn't talked to me about it but I heard her and Daniil talking about it yesterday. I know Evgenia meant a lot to her and I guess that is why she has been irritable the last couple of days. Evgenia left without warning. No goodbye. No flowers. No hugs or kisses. 

I wondered why but decided it wasn't my business and that I needed to focus. I must say it did feel great to have more 1 on 1 attention with Eteri. Even though I could tell she missed Evgenia. I miss her too, but people come and go. Life is a constant revolving door. Tomorrow I start training my new program "Carmen". Already feeling nauseous at the thought of the drama that would follow.