Let the Olympic controversy begin!
The U.S. Olympic Figure Skating team was named last night. Many of the names will come as no surprise, as they are the top finishers at Nationals.
Sasha Cohen and Kimmie Meissner took gold and silver at Nationals, assuring themselves of a spot on the Olympic team. Emily Hughes (yes, she is Sarah’s sister) came in third but, in a move that is sure to prove controversial, the Olympic team placed her in an alternate position in order to allow Michelle Kwan the third place on the team. Kwan was not at Nationals due to an injury. Also placed in an alternate position was Katy Taylor, a relative unknown.
The men’s team was a little more straightforward. Johnny Weir, Evan Lysacek and Matt Savoie took gold, silver, and bronze and all three will be attending the Olympics. It will be the first time since 1976 that three newcomers will be representing the United States at an Olympics. Weir is already stirring things up after using a drug reference in an analogy comparing his performace to that of a competitor.
Rena Inoue and John Baldwin will lead the pairs figure skating team in Turin, after completing the world’s first throw triple axel. They are still considered longshots at next month’s Olympics. Inoe is a two-time Olympian in singles and pairs for Japan. They will be joined by Marcy Hinzmann and Aaron Parchem.
Tanith Belbin, who was granted U.S. citizenship to allow her to attend the Olympics, and her partner, Ben Agosto were the top ice dancers. Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov and Jamie Silverstein and Ryan O’Meara will round out the ice dancing team.
Melissa Gregory and Denis Pethkhov are a nice story. Petukhov was born in Russian but came to the United States to skate with Gregory, who is now his wife. He became an American citizen last February. His mother, Luba, was with them at nationals, one of the few times she’s seen her son and daughter-in-law skate. I particularly like this story because when I was growing up I thought all pairs skaters and ice dancers were married. Torville and Dean? Married. Tai and Randy? Married. So, it’s nice to know that, for once, my romantic ideal matches up with reality.
So, let us know what you think about the U.S. Olympic figure skating team. Thrilled about Michelle Kwan attending? Outraged? Think Tanith Belbin should have had to wait? Think Johnny Weir ought to wear less flamboyant costumes? Leave us a comment and let us know what you’re thinking.
I think it is great that the USFA gave Michelle Kwan a spot on the team. She has earned it and by no fault of her own could not attend Nationals due to an injury. We need only look back at the Nancy Kerrigan situation to see that the USFA has set precedent of considering extenuating circumstances when awarding spots on the Olympic team. Nancy’s situation was no fault of her own and neither is Michelle’s depsite specifics being very different. I look forward to seeing Michelle compete and take home of the gold!
i am positively thrilled that michelle kwan was named to the us olympic team. this is
quite possibly her “last hurrah”.
i have been a fan of hers since she was a young teen ager. i wish her the best of luck!
First of all, although I have the utmost respect for Michelle Kwan, I don’t think she should be allowed a spot on the Olympic team at the expense of other, maybe more qualified contestants, considering how she fared in the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Also, Johnny Weir. If he maybe curbed his speech and applied a more professional approach to skating, it would be easier to rejoice with him when he wins. He certainly doesn’t go out of his way to make the public like him.
It was very interesting when they asked the other skaters about this last night. To a person, they all said they thought that if Michelle Kwan was healthy enough to compete, she should have a place on the team. Katarina Witt was interviewed, and I found her response interesting. She said Michelle Kwan should be offered a place on the team, but she should agree to go only if she thinks she can really compete for gold. She shouldn’t go just to “participate”.
I think that Michelle should be allowed to compete and be granted a place on the Olympic team as so many others have in the past. Skating is a huge draw to the Olympics and names like hers get the people to tune in or buy tickets for the skating finals. So its a win, win. As far as bumping others out of the competition. Look at it this way, they have another shot in 4 years, Michelle is getting up there in age and this maybe her last shot. The girls coming up behind her can do more rotations on their spins, they take more chances and they are young enough to be there longer. So good luck to them all, and I will tune in!
Michelle Kwan certainly deserves a chance to win the gold medal and if she is healty enough, she has the talent to do it. If people have a problem with the rules of skating, which were followed in this instance, then they should do something to change them. I love to watch Sasha Cohen skate as well as all the new up and comers – it is a great sport. And I think we have a pretty good team for 2006! Good luck to everyone! Go USA!