Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the US could look the other way while Tanith Belbin's citizenship application was fast-walked through the process so that she could represent the US at the Olympics, China can look the other way with Gu as well.

DP. I'm not criticizing China for using Gu. Why wouldn't they use that opportunity? I criticize China for genocide and other human rights abuses, and I criticize Gu for being a tool in China's PR effort to whitewash that fact.

You say this like a country cannot be brutal AND excellent in sports. The two are unrelated.

OK, but why do we have to support an American voluntarily being part of their PR machine?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Oh honey. Did you miss this?
https://therecount.com/watch/tara-lipinski-and-johnny-weir/2645878492

It’s OK that you feel stupid now.

Way to go to make my point. Yeah, Johnny doesn't sound rehearsed at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the US could look the other way while Tanith Belbin's citizenship application was fast-walked through the process so that she could represent the US at the Olympics, China can look the other way with Gu as well.

DP. I'm not criticizing China for using Gu. Why wouldn't they use that opportunity? I criticize China for genocide and other human rights abuses, and I criticize Gu for being a tool in China's PR effort to whitewash that fact.

You say this like a country cannot be brutal AND excellent in sports. The two are unrelated.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the US could look the other way while Tanith Belbin's citizenship application was fast-walked through the process so that she could represent the US at the Olympics, China can look the other way with Gu as well.

DP. I'm not criticizing China for using Gu. Why wouldn't they use that opportunity? I criticize China for genocide and other human rights abuses, and I criticize Gu for being a tool in China's PR effort to whitewash that fact.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Sure a country who has managed to act evilly on the international stage for a solid 400 years now.

The US really isn't in a position to lecture others on brutality as policy.

Anonymous wrote:

Sure a country who has managed to act evilly on the international stage for a solid 400 years now.

Anonymous wrote:

I don't think NBC is telling him what to say. I do think there are probably things NBC would consider too controversial to say, and it'd probably be up to Johnny to decide how much he'd push back. In any case, nothing he's said-- either praising the skill and artistry of Russian skaters, in general, or coming down hard on Valieva being allowed to skate now-- is at all controversial.

I think NBC might be directing them to just give basic descriptions with regard to live commentary, as they don't know how her investigation will roll out, and they're being sensitive about the streaming potential of her programs. But they've also aired multiple interviews with Johnny and Tara, where Johnny has openly criticized the decision to let her skate, explained athlete's awareness about doping and what they are ingesting at all times, and how he visited Eteri's training facility and in retrospect sees it as a lot of smoke and mirrors.

Anonymous wrote:

Oh honey. Did you miss this?
https://therecount.com/watch/tara-lipinski-and-johnny-weir/2645878492

It’s OK that you feel stupid now.

Anonymous wrote:I was the one who posted the article about Johnny

It was in no way a criticism. I was sharing facts about him, that was it.

I think Johnny is amazing. I adore him as a commentator. I love that he is who he is.

I do think this saga does call into question Russian skating, though. How many years has this been going on? Is it only back to Sochi? Is it only the women?

And, frankly, the IOC allowed this to happen by NOT banning Russian athletes from competition 100% for several cycles. Not this slap on the wrist BS where they can'c compete under the flag.

I don't think NBC is telling him what to say. I do think there are probably things NBC would consider too controversial to say, and it'd probably be up to Johnny to decide how much he'd push back. In any case, nothing he's said-- either praising the skill and artistry of Russian skaters, in general, or coming down hard on Valieva being allowed to skate now-- is at all controversial.

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Anonymous wrote:You could tell Johnny and Tara were seething with rage during their commentary - they barely tried to conceal it - whereas Terry kept saying, remember, she’s only 15!

I didn't bother watching the skating but saw an interview of the 2 decrying the decision to let Kamila skate. They were pretty clear on where they stood. And really, being 15 shouldn't give her a free pass to doping or reaping the advantage from doping

Which is slightly amusing given that Johnny has been such a Russian cheerleader up until now.

NP. What's the problem with Johnny admiring and saying positive things about Russian skaters and performances? His job is to be a skating commentator, yes, not a Team USA cheerleader? Do you think other countries' commentators should not say anything positive about Nathan Chen or Chock and Bates or other U.S. skaters just because they aren't from their respective countries? Do you think Dick Button was a “Ukrainian cheerleader” when he used to compliment Oksana Baiul?

I'm rooting for Team USA, but I recognize that the Russian and Japanese ladies are far better than our female skaters. I can admire Wakaba Higuchi's talent; that doesn't make me a "Japanese cheerleader."

he has declared himself a Russophile in the past

you might find this article interesting: https://southfloridagaynews.com/World/russian-society-requests-figure-skater-johnny-weir-be-less-fabulous.html

And? So? I’ll walk you through this slowly:
Johnny Weir was a talented skater who emphasized creativity/artistry in his programs
To do so, he closely studied ballet
Ballet is an art form that has long been practiced and perfected in Russia
Russian skaters have been known as artists on ice since the dawn of competitive ice skating

Like, what is surprising to you about this?

Who cares? As long as Johnny Weir doesn’t lie during his commentary, who cares? Look at who is at the top of the podium in most disciplines, and has been for decades: Russian skaters. I agree that there has been lots of controversy surrounding Russian judging and doping…but that doesn’t take negate the legacies of Gordeeva and Grinkov, Evgeni Plushenko, Evgenia Medvedeva, Elena Berezhnaya/Anton Sikharulidze, and Victoria Sinitsina/Nikita Katsalapov, FFS.

I think it actually gives him MORE credibility. Like, if HE can watch this unfold, being as big of a fan as has been of their style and abilities, and come away with "I think the only thing I can say is there is her short program in the Olympics" as commentary, good on him. It shows he has the ability to see it for what it is instead of sugar coating anything.

Look, I like Johnny as much as anyone, but if you think he doesn't get his talking points before the broadcast, you're terribly naive about how television is made. No one is letting him freestyle there.

Anonymous wrote:I was the one who posted the article about Johnny

It was in no way a criticism. I was sharing facts about him, that was it.

I think Johnny is amazing. I adore him as a commentator. I love that he is who he is.

I do think this saga does call into question Russian skating, though. How many years has this been going on? Is it only back to Sochi? Is it only the women?

And, frankly, the IOC allowed this to happen by NOT banning Russian athletes from competition 100% for several cycles. Not this slap on the wrist BS where they can'c compete under the flag.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You could tell Johnny and Tara were seething with rage during their commentary - they barely tried to conceal it - whereas Terry kept saying, remember, she’s only 15!

I didn't bother watching the skating but saw an interview of the 2 decrying the decision to let Kamila skate. They were pretty clear on where they stood. And really, being 15 shouldn't give her a free pass to doping or reaping the advantage from doping

Which is slightly amusing given that Johnny has been such a Russian cheerleader up until now.

NP. What's the problem with Johnny admiring and saying positive things about Russian skaters and performances? His job is to be a skating commentator, yes, not a Team USA cheerleader? Do you think other countries' commentators should not say anything positive about Nathan Chen or Chock and Bates or other U.S. skaters just because they aren't from their respective countries? Do you think Dick Button was a “Ukrainian cheerleader” when he used to compliment Oksana Baiul?

I'm rooting for Team USA, but I recognize that the Russian and Japanese ladies are far better than our female skaters. I can admire Wakaba Higuchi's talent; that doesn't make me a "Japanese cheerleader."

he has declared himself a Russophile in the past

you might find this article interesting: https://southfloridagaynews.com/World/russian-society-requests-figure-skater-johnny-weir-be-less-fabulous.html

And? So? I’ll walk you through this slowly:
Johnny Weir was a talented skater who emphasized creativity/artistry in his programs
To do so, he closely studied ballet
Ballet is an art form that has long been practiced and perfected in Russia
Russian skaters have been known as artists on ice since the dawn of competitive ice skating

Like, what is surprising to you about this?

Who cares? As long as Johnny Weir doesn’t lie during his commentary, who cares? Look at who is at the top of the podium in most disciplines, and has been for decades: Russian skaters. I agree that there has been lots of controversy surrounding Russian judging and doping…but that doesn’t take negate the legacies of Gordeeva and Grinkov, Evgeni Plushenko, Evgenia Medvedeva, Elena Berezhnaya/Anton Sikharulidze, and Victoria Sinitsina/Nikita Katsalapov, FFS.

+1 Russia has an extraordinary cultural history not just in ballet, but in music, literature, poetry. Tragedy and beauty are the two sides of the Russian coin.

Sure a country who has managed to act evilly on the international stage for a solid 400 years now.