XXI Olympic Winter Olympics Games Thread

[Jennasis]

Katerina Witt was in the crowd last night. She is on DH's "LIST", lol.

Regarding Evan: I heard that he was dating Nastia Liuken also. DH is convinced all male figure skaters are gay. I recently watched Blades of Glory with DD12 and she was like "this is GAY!" and now that is all I think about whenever I see these guys skate, lol. They may not all be gay of course, but how can you NOT be and wear some of those costumes? Most guys wouldn't be caught dead in stuff like that. It has kinda ruined it for me, to be honest. I have no problems with homosexuality, and I think they are talented and athletic, but I just am not impressed with the "sport" aspect. I'm way more interested in snowboarding and hockey. Those guys who did the biathlon have my respect... man, they looked like they were sucking some major wind! That takes some physical training. Ice dancing? Yes, those guys are athletic but the competition is about reputation, kissing up to the judges and costumes. I still like to watch it but I'm more excited about hockey.

The problem with skating is that it's SUBJECTIVE. Snowboarding is too, though it has a bit more excitement to it. Subjective judged sports can be dicey. My students compete exclusively in a subjective sport, and sometimes it is maddening!

The biathletes for SURE are amazing athletes. Figure skaters too. Everyone of those skaters is more athletic, I'd venture to say, than anyone here on the DIS..with perhaps a few exceptions. Needless to say, I'd hate to challenge any Olympian to an arm wrestling match...well, maybe the curling team!

I think that is part of the appeal of the Olympics. There is something for everyone. You couldn't pay me to give a rat's shiny white rump about any of the hockey.

 

[robinb]

I love the medals this year. They're unique and beautiful.

I do too. I'm not wild about the ribbon, though. I think it's too fat and doesn't fit the metal well.

Here is cool video on how the artist came up with the medals:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkQsXls7m0o

She chose the design of an orca whale for the regular metals because they live in groups and no matter how great they are as individuals they cannot survive without their pod. She chose the raven for the Paralympics because the raven rises above challenges. The waviness of the metals represents the landscape.

 

[LJC1861]

For those of you who think figure skating is not a true sport....I beg to differ.

It takes an incredible amount of strength and control to move quickly across the ice, turn, jam your toe pick into the ice and then jump as high as you can while twisting your body and pulling your arms in as tight as you can to turn 3+ times in the air, then stop the rotation and land, on one edge of a 1/8 inch steel blade, while moving backwards in less than 3 seconds and make it look effortless.

It takes an incredible amount of strength and flexibility...not to mention balance and coordination... to spin on one foot while contorting your body into unusual shapes and then to switch feet and or positions, or possibly even directions and keep on doing it for 15 revolutions.....and NOT get dizzy so you can keep on skating.

It takes an incredible amount of stamina to keep moving at a very fast pace for 4:30 all the while you are smiling and trying not to gasp for breath while you are skating your program.

It takes an even bigger amount of strength and energy if you are a pair skater, who has to life your partner over your head...with one hand....while turning. Then you have to put her down, again with one hand, gently and without dropping her or jarring her landing.

If you are a pairs or dance skating woman you have to be absolutely fearless to be lifted and thrown all over the ice...risking life ending injury each and every time you are lifted or thrown.

Core strength is needed to keep your shoulders and hips in line and square to make landings neat and pretty. Strong arms and legs are needed to hold the proper positions on landings. Brute strength is needed to skate pairs and dance.

Skating is most definitely a sport, albeit a subjectively judged one. I do think that some of the costuming decisions for all the skaters could be much better thought out and some restriction does need to be re-implemented.

Years ago, the rules stated that women MUST wear skirted attire. When Brian Boitano started wearing tights the rules were changed to stipulate that men MUST wear pants. I think that the time has come to re-implement some of those same type of rules.

Just my opinion......

Linda

 

[Jennasis]

For those of you who think figure skating is not a true sport....I beg to differ.

It takes an incredible amount of strength and control to move quickly across the ice, turn, jam your toe pick into the ice and then jump as high as you can while twisting your body and pulling your arms in as tight as you can to turn 3+ times in the air, then stop the rotation and land, on one edge of a 1/8 inch steel blade, while moving backwards in less than 3 seconds and make it look effortless.

It takes an incredible amount of strength and flexibility...not to mention balance and coordination... to spin on one foot while contorting your body into unusual shapes and then to switch feet and or positions, or possibly even directions and keep on doing it for 15 revolutions.....and NOT get dizzy so you can keep on skating.

It takes an incredible amount of stamina to keep moving at a very fast pace for 4:30 all the while you are smiling and trying not to gasp for breath while you are skating your program.

It takes an even bigger amount of strength and energy if you are a pair skater, who has to life your partner over your head...with one hand....while turning.

If you are a pairs or dance skating woman you have to be absolutely fearless to be lifted and thrown all over the ice...risking life ending injury each and every time you are lifted or thrown.

Core strength is needed to keep your shoulders and hips in line and square to make landings neat and pretty. Strong arms and legs are needed to hold the proper positions on landings. Brute strength is needed to skate pairs and dance.

Skating is most definitely a sport, albeit a subjectively judged one. I do think that some of the costuming decisions for all the skaters could be much better thought out and some restriction does need to be re-implemented.

Years ago, the rules stated that women MUST wear skirted attire. When Brian Boitano started wearing tights the rules were changed to stipulate that men MUST wear pants. I think that the time has come to re-implement some of those same type of rules.

Just my opinion......

Linda

One would sure hope so!

I agree with everything you said. The sport may not be your cup 'o tea, but it's a sport nonetheless.

 

[RunDanceSkate]

I recently watched Blades of Glory with DD12 and she was like "this is GAY!" and now that is all I think about whenever I see these guys skate, lol. They may not all be gay of course, but how can you NOT be and wear some of those costumes? Most guys wouldn't be caught dead in stuff like that. It has kinda ruined it for me, to be honest. I have no problems with homosexuality, and I think they are talented and athletic, but I just am not impressed with the "sport" aspect. I'm way more interested in snowboarding and hockey. Those guys who did the biathlon have my respect... man, they looked like they were sucking some major wind! That takes some physical training. Ice dancing? Yes, those guys are athletic but the competition is about reputation, kissing up to the judges and costumes. I still like to watch it but I'm more excited about hockey.

I personally don't know any gay male skaters and I know alot of them. My son is one. He got into ice dance because he would rather be surrounded by pretty girls then smelly hockey guys. As for physical aspect my son actually does his off ice training with guys who are high level competitive track and field athletes who have been to the summer Olympics. My son can jump higher, lift more weight for his size, and kick butt on things like plank, push ups and sit ups. Those guys can run faster though LOL.

DS is still a couple of years away from Olympic level training but even at this stage his training schedule looks like this:
6 days a week
5am to 5:30 run
6 am to 6:30 off ice lifts
6:30 to 9:30 on ice
school
2:30 to 3:30 run
5:30 to 8:30 gym 3 days, skating other 3

On Sundays he does a 2 hr session at the gym and 3hrs on the ice teaching and partnering. Then he usually goes snowboarding for a couple of hours to "relax".

He runs and places well in 4 to 5 marathons a year.

A few quotes from newspapers today:

"Guys playing hockey = obnoxious smelling locker bags and lost teeth. Guys doing ice dance = continuously surrounded by a plethora of beautiful women and real teeth. And you'd choose the former why? ;-)"

Scott Moir (Gold medal winner) on choosing ice dancing over hockey at age 9: "It just made more sense to hang out with a cute girl than with 19 other guys."

Don't judge a sport by a poorly made movie.

Costume wise, they don't choose them coaches do, just like coaches choose the skintight jumpsuits won by speed skaters, skiers etc. All of which are still better then the hockey players wearing shorts and socks that go up to said shorts. What about the curling pants worn by Norway.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Interesting! I would've sworn up and down that he was gay. Guess not. I think he's freakin' adorable, and he and Nastia would make a cute couple.

LOL, I was talking to somebody I work with and she thought the same thing...I wasn't quite sure but was thinking no. Guess we know how to answer that question though!

 

[Bay Hill]

The Switzerland vs Belarus vs Belarus game went in to a 10 min overtime and a shootout. SUI won the shootout 2-1.

USA takes on a very tired Switzerland team.

 

[Bay Hill]

Another gold medal for Canada in Women's Ski Cross...
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/freestyle-skiing/results-and-schedules/event=FRW740000/index.html

 

[DarthKTrava]

I personally don't know any gay male skaters and I know alot of them. My son is one. He got into ice dance because he would rather be surrounded by pretty girls then smelly hockey guys. As for physical aspect my son actually does his off ice training with guys who are high level competitive track and field athletes who have been to the summer Olympics. My son can jump higher, lift more weight for his size, and kick butt on things like plank, push ups and sit ups. Those guys can run faster though LOL.

DS is still a couple of years away from Olympic level training but even at this stage his training schedule looks like this:
6 days a week
5am to 5:30 run
6 am to 6:30 off ice lifts
6:30 to 9:30 on ice
school
2:30 to 3:30 run
5:30 to 8:30 gym 3 days, skating other 3

On Sundays he does a 2 hr session at the gym and 3hrs on the ice teaching and partnering. Then he usually goes snowboarding for a couple of hours to "relax".

He runs and places well in 4 to 5 marathons a year.

A few quotes from newspapers today:

"Guys playing hockey = obnoxious smelling locker bags and lost teeth. Guys doing ice dance = continuously surrounded by a plethora of beautiful women and real teeth. And you'd choose the former why? ;-)"

Scott Moir (Gold medal winner) on choosing ice dancing over hockey at age 9: "It just made more sense to hang out with a cute girl than with 19 other guys."

Don't judge a sport by a poorly made movie.

Costume wise, they don't choose them coaches do, just like coaches choose the skintight jumpsuits won by speed skaters, skiers etc. All of which are still better then the hockey players wearing shorts and socks that go up to said shorts. What about the curling pants worn by Norway.

WOW. When does he do his homework?

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Anyone can have a hunk of metal hanging from a string. Having a lalique piece is quite obviously, one of a kind.

Evan is as far from gay as the owner of this board is straight, for heaven's sake.

Skating is a sport. Anyone who thinks otherwise should try lifting someone over their head while skating, or have someone stand on the back of their leg and continue skating.

Stereotyping is an unpleasant thing.

 

[ugadog99]

I totally agree that skating is a sport! These are athletes, plain and simple. I've never understood the reasoning that skaters aren't athletes. I've been fortunate enough to be a spectator at various major sporting events. One of my favorite and most memorable was in Atlanta at US Nationals with Michelle Kwan. It was an amazing skate, and an evening I'll never forget.

 

[RunDanceSkate]

WOW. When does he do his homework?

Right now

 

[Jennasis]

Anyone can have a hunk of metal hanging from a string. Having a lalique piece is quite obviously, one of a kind.

Evan is as far from gay as the owner of this board is straight, for heaven's sake.

Skating is a sport. Anyone who thinks otherwise should try lifting someone over their head while skating, or have someone stand on the back of their leg and continue skating.

Stereotyping is an unpleasant thing.

Roll your eyes if it makes you feel superior. I wasn't stereotyping anything. I thought I remembered reading that he was gay.

 

[sandramaac]

Anyone can have a hunk of metal hanging from a string. Having a lalique piece is quite obviously, one of a kind.

Evan is as far from gay as the owner of this board is straight, for heaven's sake.

Skating is a sport. Anyone who thinks otherwise should try lifting someone over their head while skating, or have someone stand on e back of their leg and continue skating.

Stereotyping is an unpleasant thing.

ahhhh, ummmm not sure about all the 'dating' our current men's gold medalist is doing but as someone who has a dd in figure skating ahhhhh, always kinda heard that our present men's gold medalist use to be a lot less guy acting, and a bit more feminine in demeanor the only reason I say this is because I found it odd, that as Johnny became more "princessey", (and outspoken and less in favor with the powers that be) the current men's gold medalist became more macho and since the powers that be--i.e. the media, the skating federation, etc began to have more of an issue with the princessey one, I can't help feeling it is being used to stay in the good graces of the power that be to get ahead many in the sports and entertainment biz have used as they are called 'beards' to appear more one way than another

 

[declansdad]

I totally agree that skating is a sport! These are athletes, plain and simple. I've never understood the reasoning that skaters aren't athletes. I've been fortunate enough to be a spectator at various major sporting events. One of my favorite and most memorable was in Atlanta at US Nationals with Michelle Kwan. It was an amazing skate, and an evening I'll never forget.

I would never say that a figure skater is not an athlete, nor that figure skating is not a sport. The problem is that it is a judged sport and a subjective on at that. This is where most people have a problem.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Roll your eyes if it makes you feel superior. I wasn't stereotyping anything. I thought I remembered reading that he was gay.

Whooooa! Guilty conscience? I wasn't referring to you in the least. I was commenting on the several comments regarding his being gay, and on the several comments that skating was not a sport and that skaters were gay.

Hello? Hockey? Skating? Oh, right wait a sec. Not a good example. One of my dearest friends who is a gay man is a hockey player. Oooops. My bad.

Regardless, you really need to not read personal commentary directed toward only you in my posts. Not sure why you think I would be so concerned with your thoughts alone?

So, now. Back to the regularly scheduled games...

Another gold for Cananda!

 

[Jennasis]

Whooooa! Guilty conscience? I wasn't referring to you in the least. I was commenting on the several comments regarding his being gay, and on the several comments that skating was not a sport and that skaters were gay.

Hello? Hockey? Skating? Oh, right wait a sec. Not a good example. One of my dearest friends who is a gay man is a hockey player. Oooops. My bad.

Regardless, you really need to not read personal commentary directed toward only you in my posts. Not sure why you think I would be so concerned with your thoughts alone?

So, now. Back to the regularly scheduled games...

Another gold for Cananda!

I was the one who brought up the thought that Lysacek was gay. Why would I not think you were directing the comment towards me??

 

[happygirl]

My heart broke for the girl from Canada that skated. When her mom just died. I don't know how she was able to pull it off but she skated a great program

 

[PeterPan09]

How about what happened to the Netherlands speed skater?? Costas was right-that coach better go into witness protection.

 

[happygirl]

How about what happened to the Netherlands speed skater?? Costas was right-that coach better go into witness protection.

That was horrible. That coasch will never ever live that down