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11:35:00 PM EST
Pairs- these Girls are Tough!
February 13, 2006
So, the Russians lived up to all of the expectations, and easily skated away with the Gold medal. Clearly the class of the night, they dominated the event from start to finish…much like they have the entire competitive season.
It was an event that was full of risks, rewards, spills, and thrills.
Let me just say for the record…women pair skaters are second to none in terms of toughness! These girls are thrown, tossed, spun and flipped….and expected to come up smiling. They crash and burn from gasping heights and at amazing speeds. If you don’t have respect for figure skating after seeing Dan Zhang of China crash into the boards at full speed and get up, shake it off and win the Silver medal, you are impossible to impress. For those that know football…That is “Ronnie Lott” tough!
Unfortunately for John Baldwin and Rena Inoue of the U.S., they were unable to make a run at the medals with their history making throw triple axel. But they exemplified the resiliency of the women pair skaters. She too, took a nasty fall in their attempt to recreate the triple axel magic of two nights ago. The fall drew gasps from the audience as she landed right on her chest from over 4 feet high—showing just how difficult and dangerous this maneuver is! My hat is off to them for taking that kind of risk and leaving nothing on the practice rink. They were swinging for the fence…and that is what the Olympics are all about. A seventh place finish is overshadowed by a PERFECT, historical Triple Axel in the short program. What a moment!
If that wasn’t an impressive enough display, how about Hongbo Zhao from China…who gets my medal for Amazing comebacks. A torn Achilles???? That is an injury that ends the careers of football players, basketball players, and any other- macho man sport- players. And he comes back six months later to win a bronze medal in the Olympics? Courage and determination personified!
Maybe this event wasn’t the amazing level of pair skating of the 2002 Games, but it WAS a display of perfection by the Russians, toughness by the Chinese, and risk taking by the Americans.
Way to go guys! ….or should I say ….gals!
Also, a shout out to Marcy Hinzmann and Aaron Parchem for a strong performance in their Olympic debut. Great start to your Olympic career.
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I am not sure of what to make of some of these comments. First and up most Michelle Kwan is a person who has feelings. Whether you like her or not you can not dimiss what she has done for the sport she loves. She has dedicated half of her life. I certainly hope no ever has to give up on their dreams. For anyone with negitive comments, you must have never lost anything precious. I hope you never do. This is her career. It is no different than anyone who has been in the work place one day and out of a job the next. Michelle I can only hope the world has more people like you.
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All you bloggers out their that believe figure skating isn't a sport...you have got to be kidding me? Female pair skaters ROCK! All you nay sayers...why don't you stop yapping and rotate four times on 1/8" of steel on the ice and then tell me it's not a sport.
Figure Skating is mostly defined by customs...check out the definition below.
sport (spôrt, sprt)
n.
1.
a. Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.
b. A particular form of this activity.
2. An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.
3. An active pastime; recreation.
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I really enjoy reading your blog daily. You are correct in the fact that these gals are some of the toughest athletes out there. Pairs skating truly deserves the respect and awe of any figure skating fan. Wow!
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Looks like she might have gotten acl trouble. Any word on how she is now?
2/17/06 3:51 PM