We're trying to improve Conversations.
Please take a brief survey and help us out.

The beast within

By Eric Adelson
ESPN The Magazine

Monday, November 15, 1999

People don't smile for pictures in St. Petersburg. The Russian winter winds freeze human skin in seconds, but scarves are often left at home. The stairs in apartment buildings sag from the constant pounding of ice-logged boots, while the electricity flickers on and off inside the narrow rooms. There are no career counseling centers in St. Petersburg. You stick with whichever job pays, or at least promises to pay. Svetlana Abrosimova was only 7 when she was singled out in a classroom and told by ...

Read full story | Create Your Profile

Activate your ESPN Profile!

Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted

Comments that include profanity, or personal attacks, or antisocial behavior such as "spamming" or "trolling," or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. We will take steps to block users who violate any of our terms of use. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.


Conversations in Real-Time

CONTESTS & PROMOTIONS

ESPN Fantasy Salary Cap
Create your own fantasy game day living room and win BIG!
Heisman Vote 2009
Vote for the next Heisman winner and enter for a chance to win a trip to the awards show. Mor
Engineered to Win Challenge
Test your football smarts by playing NFL trivia and enter each week for a chance to win a 2010 GMC Sierra.