Skating historians -- can you think of more parallels between the '94 and '06 Olys? I know of some, in three disciplines, especially the Russian and US teams, but nothing as to the pairs. Here is my list:
Men's -- Russian teams both include the multiple Russian Nat champ, who is coached by Alexei Mishin; US teams both include a 3 time (in a row) US champ
Ice Dance: If rumors are true, then in both cases the male half of the Russian world champ ice dancing team is cheating on his wife. In the US, both times, there was a reigning US champ with citizenship problems that it was hoped Congressional action would resolve; there was an attempt to derail that Congressional action on behalf of one of the team's competitors.
Ladies: Reigning world champ from former Soviet Union, who (as of worlds) had a very sick mother. In US, a Nats medalist (who came in 6th at Nats debut, and then medaled at Jr. Worlds) didn't get named to Oly team because reigning Oly bronze medalst (who as reigning Nat champ and reigning world medalist went to Worlds the year before Olys and sucked) needed a medical bye.
Men's -- Russian teams both include the multiple Russian Nat champ, who is coached by Alexei Mishin; US teams both include a 3 time (in a row) US champ
Ice Dance: If rumors are true, then in both cases the male half of the Russian world champ ice dancing team is cheating on his wife. In the US, both times, there was a reigning US champ with citizenship problems that it was hoped Congressional action would resolve; there was an attempt to derail that Congressional action on behalf of one of the team's competitors.
Ladies: Reigning world champ from former Soviet Union, who (as of worlds) had a very sick mother. In US, a Nats medalist (who came in 6th at Nats debut, and then medaled at Jr. Worlds) didn't get named to Oly team because reigning Oly bronze medalst (who as reigning Nat champ and reigning world medalist went to Worlds the year before Olys and sucked) needed a medical bye.