The Voting Booth was in desparate need of a new poll! So, which of these following Olympic Champs would be most likely to be LEAST remembered by 2022?
The Voting Booth was in desparate need of a new poll! So, which of these following Olympic Champs would be most likely to be LEAST remembered by 2022?
Ooops! I messed up! So, I guess I need an administrater. I meant to include the following Olympic Champions in a poll:
Alexei Urmanov
Oksana Baiul
Ilia Kulik
Tara Lipinski
Sarah Hughes
I'm going with Urmanov. Sure, he had a beautiful, classic style, but besides Lillehammer he never really left any other mark. He also never endeared himself to me in anyway. I just couldn't be roused by his skating. Baiul, Kulik, Lipinski and even Hughes (to a point) all had a string of strong international showings to back up their Gold Medals. Poor Alexei (even though he won Europeans) was never able to produce that Lillehammer magic either before or after. (And that magic did include a great deal of luck, with 2 Olympic Champs and the reigning World Champ performing dismally).
I dont even know who AU is so um yeah....
Id say Tara. Oksana is remembered as the girl who wrecked her own life, and sarah and illia have been kinda forgotten already.....
North America never gave Urmanov the opportunity to endear himself to the audience. He was never forgiven for beating Elvis Stokjo
Of those names, I will go with Sarah, depending wether she manages to come back or not.
skatepixie, you don't know Urmanov? he was soo good, he still is, you should really see him skate. I don't think Ilia is been forgotten.
Skatepixie,
Alexei Urmanov was the men's Olympic Champion at the 1994 Olympics. His win was quite a shock seeing that he beat two former Olympic Champs (Boitano - 88, Petrenko - 92) and the reigning World Champ (Browning). After Lillehammer, his career took somewhat of a dive and he failed to reach the podium at Worlds. Although, he was the leader going into the freeskate at the 1997 Worlds, but he had to withdraw due to an injury (which also kept him out of the 98 Olympics). So, it seems he might have been regaining his form by 1997, but that damn injury!
And I do agree that North America really never embraced him. I think that was in part due to him defeating the ever popular Elvis, but also because his style and dress were seen as too feminine by some. Either way, I thought he had a nice style, I just wasn't at all impressed with programs such as his "Swan Lake" from 1995. At any rate, its a shame he wasn't able to skate for the World title in Lausanne. It would have made that event incredibly interesting.
I will say Oksana.
Bronzeingolden, to create a poll, click on "new thread," fill in the subject line and write whatever you want to say. Then check the box down at the bottom that says "submit new poll," change the "number of responses" from its default of 4 to however many answers you want, then go "submit." A new screen will come up where you can put your choices.
Mathman
Agree! Poor Alexei U.! I've to admit I was never a huge fan of him, but to me he was a way better, much more entertaining and versatile skater than Elvis S. or Todd E. Well, at least not worse! :D But in opposite to them they've treaten him like a dog in NA. This is one of the most sad stories in figure skating ...Originally posted by curious
North America never gave Urmanov the opportunity to endear himself to the audience. He was never forgiven for beating Elvis Stokjo
Anke
I think one of the reasons Urmanov wasn't as well known to the
public was Tom Collins. I think he had him a few times but was quoted as saying Americans weren't interested in foreign men. I disagree with him there. I really liked Urmanov. I would much rather see him skate than Elvis. Elvis is very good but I like Urmanov's style much better. Also, I know Collins had lots of other non-Americans, so I think it must have been more than that. You did know he is the father of twins?
Here is a link to Alexei Urmanov's homepage: http://home.snafu.de/figureskating/urmanov/
If you go to Photogallery: off ice: you can see some pics of his sons.
Alexei is coaching some lower level skaters in Russia right now, he also recently performed at Artur Dmitriev's show this weekend.
After Carol Heiss and before Peggy Flemming there was Sjorkye Dykester (netherlands). I hope I spelled that correctly.
Anyone remember her and if so what was your opinion"
Joe
If you include just North American winners, I'd say Sarah. Tara had a World Championship as did Oksana, and both toured for a number of years after their Oly wins (Oksana off and on, but her name is still out there.) On an international level, I would say Alexi U....................(although I realize that his name is very recognizable in Europe.....) 42
I'm not so sure a continent is supposed to give endearment to an Oly winner. I've never heard that Europe gave one to Urmanov, although I would assume he was greatly appreciated in Russia.
Although he won the Oly, all the potential winners had had a bad night, so it wasn't like he was the proverbial 'best in the world'. As for North America, his Louis XIV like costume wasn't a big hit with fans of Elvi, Todd, and Kurt. It did seem a bit foppish to me.
This was the firt time I saw him skate and I noticed the wonderful lines he brought to his skating movements. He has a great athletic/balletic body and I thought he would be a first class principal in the Kirov Ballet Company.
Joe
Joe, I was referring to "name recognition".........where as all of my non-skating friends know and recognize Tara and Sarah's names, I get the "Huh" comment when Alexi's name is thrown into the mix...............42
Oh, wait! I messed up. I thought the poll said who would be MOST remembered. I meant to say Oksana will be remembered the best and the most fondly. She has definitely left her mark on the sport.
Now, though, I have to disagree with everyone who is voting for Urmanov. Even if you don't like his style, he will be remembered as a representative of a certain artistic point of view. Also, he is continuing in the sport as a coach, and I think that he is becoming increasingly involved in the Russian Skating Federation and in organizing shows, etc. He was recently chosen as the "caller" in the first test of the CoP at Nebelhorn. So he has opportunities to expand his influence even after his competitive career is past.
Mathman
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