ANGELS ON ICE in Korea.

SeaniBu said:

Must say JW is staying consistent with his desired message to skate for a different country, must say I respect that conviction but have to wonder. They must have denied him citizenship by now that he could afford a new jacket. Maybe show something else important to him rather than the same old "I wish I skated for Russia."

Wonder if there is another country that would accept this? Shows our freedom AND history that is for sure. Like the message JW just ready for a new one from ya.

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Wonder if there is another country that would accept this?

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Q: Hi Johnny. What is your take on the criticism of the WNBA star (forgot her name, sorry) who played for the Russian team in the Olympics. Some people called her a "traitor" while other people think it is great. Also, would you skate for Russia in the Olympics or Worlds if asked? Bob

A: I think most major sports team in the United States are made up of players from other countries in addition to Americans. Nobody was upset when Yao Ming didn’t play for America, it was natural that he play for China. A lot of people have asked me this question. I am American to the core, but my version of being American may be different than most. I would see it as an enormous compliment if Russia or any country thought enough of me to ask me to represent their country. If everything was in order and I was a citizen of that country and was able, I think I would. At the moment I carry one passport, and am committed to winning medals for my country. Another thing I say a lot is that I feel I represent every country when I take the ice. In Sweden at the world championships this year I had flags waving from USA, Sweden, Russia, Ireland, Hungary and Japan. That is an enormous compliment to me. As American as I am, and as proud of my country as I am, I feel it is important to be a good representative of our world and all it’s peoples and cultures.

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libby said:

Even the head of the US Olympic committee stood up for him at the Salt Lake City Olympics and said he thought it was great that Johnny wore a Russian jacket to practice, because it was common for athletes from different countries to trade gear at international competitions and it showed interest in each others' cultures and international friendship.

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Snowgirl said:

Sergei Voronov says he prefers American and Canadian skaters to Russians, wore a shirt that said USA at CoR practice and I've seen a photo where he and Johnny exchanged team shirts (Johnny wore Russian shirt, Sergei - Team USA shirt). No one there cares.

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Tonichelle said:

Salt Lake? or Torino?

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psycho said:

Oh crap. I wore a hoodie that said "France" on it just last week. I hope no one thinks I am sending the French messages and begging for citizenship...

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