I was scared to start this thread but the story was about more than just throwing accusations. They started with Sochi but more interestingly they presented research:
1. NBC tallied the 164 judges "available" for the Olympics--20% hold leadership positions in their countries federations
2. A Dartmouth economist analyzed figure skating scores and showed that there's significant nationalistic bias.
3. Who got called out by name on the show; Ukraine, Russia, South Korea, US
4. The ISU said "they have a robust system for monitoring judges."
None of this is new to us hardcore figure skating fans, but the more media coverage and academic studies, the more likely that the ISU will actually do something. Outside monitoring is one of the only ways things will change.
ETA: Here's the video story
ETA: Here's the Zitzewitz paper.
1. NBC tallied the 164 judges "available" for the Olympics--20% hold leadership positions in their countries federations
2. A Dartmouth economist analyzed figure skating scores and showed that there's significant nationalistic bias.
3. Who got called out by name on the show; Ukraine, Russia, South Korea, US
4. The ISU said "they have a robust system for monitoring judges."
None of this is new to us hardcore figure skating fans, but the more media coverage and academic studies, the more likely that the ISU will actually do something. Outside monitoring is one of the only ways things will change.
ETA: Here's the video story
ETA: Here's the Zitzewitz paper.