Winter Olympics: Torino 2006 - Page 6

AOIIalum · #76 02-13-2006, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by honeychile
Emily Hughes hasn't had a chance to build up that political backing. Being Sarah's sister will work as much against her as for her. That's why I felt that a little graciousness would have served her well. After all, what's one of the things said about Michelle Kwan almost every time her name is mentioned with Olympics? That she voluntarily and gracefully stepped down for Nancy Kerrigan. If you don't believe how political it is, read On Thin Ice, I think by Christine Brennan. The top five are already selected, unless someone chokes. It's just a matter of skating the events now.

Agreed. I'm not a Brennan fan by a longshot, but the book clearly outlines the politics involved. She wrote it pre-COP, and we all know that the COP is designed for fairness and that it's just about the competition skates. Yeah, right, we'll see. If Inoue and Baldwin skate their LP well enough to medal and actually do so, I might be inclined to buy that theory.

Michelle has been nothing but gracious throughout her career. We can't say the same for Sasha, and I hope that doesn't apply to Emily or any of the other up and comers out there. Has Emily been quoted saying something less than gracious about Michelle stepping down? She's got the chance of a lifetime, because if you've followed skating, there was no guarantee that Emily would be skating in Torino in the first place.

ZTABullwinkle · #77 02-13-2006, 10:51 AM

Personally, I think the loss of Kwan is not going to affect the Olympics or its coverage. If anything, it probably will benefit the coverage. People have heard ALL about Kwan withdrawing and the after-events. They may tune in just because of all the coverage.

Why in the world did Bode Miller and the other downhill skier choose to use BRAND-NEW skis? Not a smart move on their or coaches' part.

Missed what happened with Ohno, but not a huge fan of his.

(Yeah, I am now looking to see what to watch at night....)

Did I hear right that "Grandma Luge" was hurt in a training accident in the last couple of days and can't compete? I love her and was hoping to see her do well.

AznSAE · #78 02-13-2006, 11:27 AM

i was also rooting for my girlfriend michelle kwan to bring home the gold.

also, i am very disappointed that they didnt add the polar bear plundge, diving, and swimming competion to the winter olympics.

madmax · #79 02-13-2006, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AOIIalum
Agreed. I'm not a Brennan fan by a longshot, but the book clearly outlines the politics involved. She wrote it pre-COP, and we all know that the COP is designed for fairness and that it's just about the competition skates. Yeah, right, we'll see. If Inoue and Baldwin skate their LP well enough to medal and actually do so, I might be inclined to buy that theory.

Michelle has been nothing but gracious throughout her career. We can't say the same for Sasha, and I hope that doesn't apply to Emily or any of the other up and comers out there. Has Emily been quoted saying something less than gracious about Michelle stepping down? She's got the chance of a lifetime, because if you've followed skating, there was no guarantee that Emily would be skating in Torino in the first place.

Michele Kwan didn't belong on the team. Emily Hughes should have been there all along. Kwan wasn't healthy enough to compete at the event that determined the team and then they put her on the team anyway. Total BS.

honeychile · #80 02-13-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AGDee

ETA: After Michelle's first press conference, they interviewed Emily Hughes at her home and Emily was very gracious. She said something along the lines of "It would be awful for Michelle if she can't compete" as she should have. THEN she added "If I get the call though, I'm ready to go" and they talked about how she had been practicing all along as if she was going, just in case.

I'm glad to hear that! I obviously didn't hear the entire interview, and what I saw sounded terribly conceited. This is one time that I'm GLAD that I'm wrong!

AOIIalum, I agree with you completely!

AOIIalum · #81 02-13-2006, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by madmax
Michele Kwan didn't belong on the team. Emily Hughes should have been there all along. Kwan wasn't healthy enough to compete at the event that determined the team and then they put her on the team anyway. Total BS.

I didn't say that Emily didn't deserve to be on the team. She is now based on her Nationals performance, just like Alissa is not based on her Nationals performance (sniffle).

I will say that if you asked anyone who follows US Women's Figure Skating prior to Nationals, I doubt you would have had many include Emily Hughes in the top 3 over Michelle (IF she was in fact healthy), Sasha Cohen, Alissa Czisny, or Kimmie Meissner. I tended to place Emily with Katy Taylor, Danielle Kahle, Bebe Liang (if she could just once put together a short AND a long program!!!) and a healthy Sandy Rucker.

irishpipes · #82 02-13-2006, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AGDee
Not yet. Thankfully, the women don't start until Feb. 23rd or something like that. She is in New York and it will probably be a couple days before she can get out.

I was probably too harsh on Michelle in my first post. She has dominated the sport for a long time and is an excellent skater, but hasn't pulled off the Gold at the Olympics. I did always find Kristi Yamaguchi more appealing as a skater. Michelle had quite a career and will be known as one of the best, Gold or not. She did handle that press conference very maturely. I feel like I've watched her grow up ... oh wait, because I have!

I also love Kristy Yamaguchi, but I would not say that she "ranks" higher than Michelle Kwan in terms of career stats just because she won Olympic Gold. Kristy fell during her long program and got the gold anyway because she had very little competition. Michelle's performance at Nagano would have been a gold medal in any other Olympics. Michelle dominated at a time when there was a lot more competition with the rise of the Eastern bloc in female skating and the amazing skaters the US has produced. It seems to me that she is the exception to the basic rule of figure skating that if you don't win the gold your career is incomplete. I am glad she stepped down rather than performed poorly, closing her career with a bad skate. Let's face it, they are going to give this gold to Irina Slutskaya even though she is a horrible skater. I am not sure who told her that running her hands wildly through her hair = artistic impression.

AOIIalum · #83 02-13-2006, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by irishpipes
I am not sure who told her that running her hands wildly through her hair = artistic impression.

Hey, that move is worth 9.5 in COP!!

A Random DphiE · #84 02-13-2006, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by irishpipes
I am not sure who told her that running her hands wildly through her hair = artistic impression.

lmao!

USCTKE · #85 02-13-2006, 06:28 PM

did Canada's womens team lose today?? they were down 3-0 with 10 minutes left in the game last time I saw a score

BetteDavisEyes · #86 02-13-2006, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OTW
To the Olympic champion, we award you this gold CD....

When I first saw them, I poked my hubby & said Look honey! They get Gold, Silver, & Bronze donuts!

RACooper · #87 02-13-2006, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by USCTKE
did Canada's womens team lose today?? they were down 3-0 with 10 minutes left in the game last time I saw a score

Canada didn't play today - their next game is Wed. against Sweden....

Lady Pi Phi · #88 02-13-2006, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by USCTKE
did Canada's womens team lose today?? they were down 3-0 with 10 minutes left in the game last time I saw a score

Are you confusing curling with hockey? Canada lost 7-5 against Sweden in curling.

AGDee · #89 02-13-2006, 07:45 PM

Michelle Kwan may be a technically better skater than Kristy Yamaguchi was, but Kristy had a personality that shined through, like the Mary Lou Retton perkiness that made her more fun to watch. That was what made her more fun to watch, in my opinion.

I'm so glad I get CBC so that I know what curling is

NBC rarely, if ever, shows it and it's usually just to say "Look at this weird sport that you only see at the Olympics". However, there is now a place in Detroit where you can go curling.

IF Canada's women's hockey team loses, it will be to the US. And this year, I think that's a big IF.

USCTKE · #90 02-13-2006, 08:02 PM

I could have sworn Canada was playing today...I was standing in line at one fo the sports stores here and they had a game on...I watched a few minutes of it while I was standing there, I could have sworn it was Canada v. Sweden...hell I dont know maybe I am losing my mind