Ice Skating
When I was younger I was a huge figure skating fan. I watched every time it was on TV (whether it was the international championships or just for fun) and I knew all the ice skaters by name. Now I barely know who anyone is. I think the last ice skater who I really loved was Michelle Kwan (it's a shame she never won the gold. I think she was more talented than many who did.) With everyone so much younger than me and the rules of ice skating changing though I have lost interest over the years. Of course I still enjoy watching the event at each Olympics.
As for the men's event, my personal favorite was Daisuke Takahashi from Japan. But I thought Evan Lysacek was by far the best skater last night. His program was excellent and he deserved the gold. Despite what Plushenko and his fans might think I don't think you should win the Olympics because you do a quad. It should be about the entire program not about one jump. Plushenko just came off completely ungracious to me. Winning the silver (when you already won the gold at the last games) is something to still be proud of. In contrast Takahashi who won the bronze was all smiles and extremely gracious about just being on the podium (admittedly after that early fall I wasn't sure he was going to make it at all, but the rest of his program was strong). Johnny Weir's scores might be a little low, but his program was not as technically difficult as the others so I don't think he was better than Takahashi overall (I see some of his fan's saying this).
As for the new rules, personally I prefer the old ones but the skaters know going in what the new rules are so blaming them for not winning is silly. In my mind the best skater won last night!
My Favorite Figure Skaters of All-Time
Ladies Singles
Men's Singles
Pairs
As for the men's event, my personal favorite was Daisuke Takahashi from Japan. But I thought Evan Lysacek was by far the best skater last night. His program was excellent and he deserved the gold. Despite what Plushenko and his fans might think I don't think you should win the Olympics because you do a quad. It should be about the entire program not about one jump. Plushenko just came off completely ungracious to me. Winning the silver (when you already won the gold at the last games) is something to still be proud of. In contrast Takahashi who won the bronze was all smiles and extremely gracious about just being on the podium (admittedly after that early fall I wasn't sure he was going to make it at all, but the rest of his program was strong). Johnny Weir's scores might be a little low, but his program was not as technically difficult as the others so I don't think he was better than Takahashi overall (I see some of his fan's saying this).
As for the new rules, personally I prefer the old ones but the skaters know going in what the new rules are so blaming them for not winning is silly. In my mind the best skater won last night!
My Favorite Figure Skaters of All-Time
Ladies Singles
Click to viewMen's Singles
Pairs