Imagine this, you've just skated the routine of your life. Your program was flawless, you landed the jumps you needed to, you were in sync with your partner, and your transitions were technical and artistic. You don't win however, you never had a chance.
This is the world of Olympic figure skating. Entering the Olympics and many other world competitions, only the top 2-3 ranked skaters or pairs ever have a chance to win. Why? Not because they are infinitely better, but because they've payed their dues, did their time, and it is their "turn" to be the top teams.
Dick Pound, head of the IOC stated that he believe the judging for figure skating is the most corrupt in the world. He also called figure skating a "nightmare sport." People play games, cut deals, make political decisions, and award success based on past accomplishments, not current performance.
Look at what happened to Canadian pairs skaters Jamie Sale and David Pelltier at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City. The Russian mafia got involved in the Games and swayed the judges to award the gold medal in pairs skating to the Russian duo, not the deserving Canadians. It wasn't until 5 days later when the IOC intervened and awarded Sale and Pelltier their shared gold medal.
On a world scene that has recently flipped in favour of strong Chinese skaters, it is likely there will still be Russians on the podium, deserving or not. Why? Because of their reputation, something that often carries you as far in figure skating as your actual talent does.
Pay your dues, stay competitive, and when your country decides it is your turn to shine, then you'll be promoted and have the opportunity to be a champion.
It doesn't seem fair, and it isn't. The sport of figure skating needs to clean out the skeletons in the closet, make the sport more accessible, and let the best skaters win.
Let the games begin.
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Amen. It's really disgusting -- and sad -- that "the best" in sports aren't really the best at all in many cases. Just ruins the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteJust look at last night. Shen and Zhao shouldn't have won. Their country-mates Pang and Tong skated better, but since they weren't "supposed" to win, they didn't.
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