2022 Olympics

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was also delighted by Alysa Liu. In her interview she said how fun it was to watch other skaters she’s friends with and she’s talked about how much support she’s gotten from older members of the team. The two older ice dancers (both named Madison) did her hair and makeup and loaned her a costume for her exhibition skate since she didn’t expect they would ask her to participate

OMG, I love Alysa Liu so much, she is the just the absolute cutest and so sweet and happy and just seems genuinely thrilled to be there and hanging out with her friends!!

[Anonymous]

Why aren't we talking about Morisi Kvitelashvili?? LOVED his Aladdin/Genie skate at the Gala, that was so much fun!

[Anonymous]

The shibutanis didn’t come back this year like the other ice dance pairs. Apparently they wanted to but retired because Maia was diagnosed with cancer and had to have a major operation to remove a cancerous tumor. On the plus side, she seems to be doing well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The shibutanis didn’t come back this year like the other ice dance pairs. Apparently they wanted to but retired because Maia was diagnosed with cancer and had to have a major operation to remove a cancerous tumor. On the plus side, she seems to be doing well.

Holy hell - she’s super young! That is terrifying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why aren't we talking about Morisi Kvitelashvili?? LOVED his Aladdin/Genie skate at the Gala, that was so much fun!

That was fantastic. Reminded me of the two Armenian skaters from the 90s whose names I can't remember, but they were basically a comedy duo. I love the exhibition skates that really showcase the natural performers who could have decades-long careers in professional skating. I would put Alysa Liu's gala skate in that same category, just very upbeat and entertaining to watch. I much prefer this kind of catering to the audience than the exhibition skates that are obviously watered-down versions of previous competition programs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why aren't we talking about Morisi Kvitelashvili?? LOVED his Aladdin/Genie skate at the Gala, that was so much fun!

That was fantastic. Reminded me of the two Armenian skaters from the 90s whose names I can't remember, but they were basically a comedy duo. I love the exhibition skates that really showcase the natural performers who could have decades-long careers in professional skating. I would put Alysa Liu's gala skate in that same category, just very upbeat and entertaining to watch. I much prefer this kind of catering to the audience than the exhibition skates that are obviously watered-down versions of previous competition programs.

+1. Plus it is fun just to see them skate with no pressure on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The shibutanis didn’t come back this year like the other ice dance pairs. Apparently they wanted to but retired because Maia was diagnosed with cancer and had to have a major operation to remove a cancerous tumor. On the plus side, she seems to be doing well.

Holy hell - she’s super young! That is terrifying.

She was 25 when they found a cancerous tumor in her kidney

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The shibutanis didn’t come back this year like the other ice dance pairs. Apparently they wanted to but retired because Maia was diagnosed with cancer and had to have a major operation to remove a cancerous tumor. On the plus side, she seems to be doing well.

Holy hell - she’s super young! That is terrifying.

She was 25 when they found a cancerous tumor in her kidney

Again - young.

[Anonymous]

I saw Nathan going for that backflip and got soooo excited about it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The shibutanis didn’t come back this year like the other ice dance pairs. Apparently they wanted to but retired because Maia was diagnosed with cancer and had to have a major operation to remove a cancerous tumor. On the plus side, she seems to be doing well.

Holy hell - she’s super young! That is terrifying.

She was 25 when they found a cancerous tumor in her kidney

Again - young.

Yes, extremely scary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why aren't we talking about Morisi Kvitelashvili?? LOVED his Aladdin/Genie skate at the Gala, that was so much fun!

Coached by Mme Tutberudze.

[Anonymous]

On Nathan’s non traditional fan base my DH just said that Nathan is his favorite Olympian. DH is usually a NFL guy who cannot name another figure skater to save his life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why aren't we talking about Morisi Kvitelashvili?? LOVED his Aladdin/Genie skate at the Gala, that was so much fun!

Coached by Mme Tutberudze.

Every skater representing Georgia this year was Russian. Perhaps they’ll sweep the podium in 2026 if Russia gets banned for real this time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Is this conspiracy angle actually possible?

I’m someone who rolls my eyes at conspiracy theories, but I also skated at a high level when I was young and I don’t know about this one. Certainly Kamila was rattled and in her head before she ever started and could make mistakes because of it, but the sheer NUMBER of mistakes and falls — I don’t know that I buy it. At least two times, she had a decently solid landing, not terribly crooked or off balance, them twisted her body and had yet another fall. Absolutely looked as if it *could* have been intentional.

The behavior of the silver medalist was disgraceful at any competition, let alone an Olympic Games, and what the hell does “you knew everything” mean? I’m certain we’ll never know and this will all get swept under the rug, just as it always does.

As Adam Rippon said “what a s**t show. OMG.”

Just saw the ceremony where they were being presented with their stuffed animals. Trusova held hers with one hand flipping an obvious, pronounced bird.

What an absolute brat.

I assume she is abused by the state. The skaters have little agency over their own lives. Do you know how Russia works??

You know, if you want to argue that their training system sucks, that shipping young kids hundreds of miles away from their families to begin training in elementary school sucks, that the state funding their training and in return burdening them with totally unrealistic expectations of success sucks, etc,etc, I don’t disagree.

But the fact remains that in their system, umpteen athletes have managed to make it to the Olympics, compete, not take gold and *not* throw screaming temper tantrums and flip birds on the podium. So maybe expend less energy defending a pathetic, classless display from Trusova.

No one is shipping kids away. Stop inventing things just to bolster your argument.

The nature of skating is such that its facilities are concentrated in large urban centers or dedicated sports facilities. If you want to train with a top coach, chances are, you are going to have to travel to find him or her. Lipinski's mother moved with her while her father stayed behind in Houston. Sasha Cohen's family broke down under the burden of one parent's travel commitment to her skating. That's the game. Basketball can be played anywhere; skating requires a rink and a coach. It's a high price of admission sport.

Yeah, the talented kids in dirt poor villages in Russia hundreds of miles from home just stay home with mommy and daddy and train at the nearby state of the art facilities.

And the point is, even the skaters from Russia who DID come up through those churn and burn systems managed not to throw screaming temper tantrums like toddlers because they got a silver medal. Weird.

It sounded like the skater put trust in a coach and was lied to. And then the lie was revealed during one of the most televised events in the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is this conspiracy angle actually possible?

I’m someone who rolls my eyes at conspiracy theories, but I also skated at a high level when I was young and I don’t know about this one. Certainly Kamila was rattled and in her head before she ever started and could make mistakes because of it, but the sheer NUMBER of mistakes and falls — I don’t know that I buy it. At least two times, she had a decently solid landing, not terribly crooked or off balance, them twisted her body and had yet another fall. Absolutely looked as if it *could* have been intentional.

The behavior of the silver medalist was disgraceful at any competition, let alone an Olympic Games, and what the hell does “you knew everything” mean? I’m certain we’ll never know and this will all get swept under the rug, just as it always does.

As Adam Rippon said “what a s**t show. OMG.”

Just saw the ceremony where they were being presented with their stuffed animals. Trusova held hers with one hand flipping an obvious, pronounced bird.

What an absolute brat.

I assume she is abused by the state. The skaters have little agency over their own lives. Do you know how Russia works??

You know, if you want to argue that their training system sucks, that shipping young kids hundreds of miles away from their families to begin training in elementary school sucks, that the state funding their training and in return burdening them with totally unrealistic expectations of success sucks, etc,etc, I don’t disagree.

But the fact remains that in their system, umpteen athletes have managed to make it to the Olympics, compete, not take gold and *not* throw screaming temper tantrums and flip birds on the podium. So maybe expend less energy defending a pathetic, classless display from Trusova.

+1. Michelle Kwan skated perfectly in Nagano, and accepted her silver as she watched younger phenom and teammate Tara Lapinski get gold. Kwan was the epitome of grace, class and sportsmanship. No tantrums thrown.

And Kwan came from a democracy…Not the same as Russia at all.