GANGNEUNG, South Korea (AP) — A few years back, Alina Zagitova nearly was sent home from training for not working hard enough.
Now, she heads home with Olympic gold, the first for the Russians at the Pyeongchang Olympics.
A grateful nation — upset that their flag, anthem and dozens of athletes were banned from the games because of a doping scandal — can thank the 15-year-old who beat the 18-year-old who had inspired her to become a figure skater, Evgenia Medvedeva. And thank their coach, Eteri Tutberidze, who gave the less-than-diligent Zagitova one more chance to prove herself when she wanted to quit.