What exactly did Rodnina say after Plush's withdrawal? I know she criticized him, but I didn't know the details.
I agree, it's definitely more inexcusable for her than it is for random journalists. At least those people might be making a genuine mistake (still unacceptable since journalists should prize truth above all else). She should know better, as an athlete herself. But as you said, she's a politician. She goes whichever way the wind blows.
I'd consider Yagudin's comments even worse though. Considering he withdrew and retired for the exact same reasons. And I genuinely liked him (while this was hardly the first objectionable thing Rodnina has done) and he comes across as okay in interviews... but I've lost some respect for him after his comments about Plush.
I think Dick Button and Scott Hamilton are just biased Americans. Well, Dick Button is a biased American (I'm a huge Michelle Kwan fan, but even I had to roll my eyes when Michelle fell on a double axel and Dick Button called it a "small, small error"). Scott Hamilton, I feel, just says what the network tells him to say. See: his over-the-top hollering during the Salt Lake City pairs scandal. He's recently been quoted as saying Plush is the greatest male singles skater ever, but even if he really said this... I don't know if I can believe him anymore.