Actually, the title of greatest pair skaters in the history of the sport belongs to the Russian pair Oleg and Ludmila Protopopov. S&Z have not been skating all that long to be in that category. The Protopopos are legends and have skated for years and inspired many pair skaters and single skaters along the way.
http://www.lifeskate.com/skate/2008/01/clip-of-the-w-1.html
http://figureskating.about.com/od/olympicchampions/p/protopopovs.htm
I have to say so far I'm impressed with how little the NBC commentators are talking through teh performance... then again I've only gotten to see Caydee and Jeremy
I do agree that the Protopopovs are truly legends of the sport, as well as G/G. But I do rank S/Z in the top 5 (maybe 3) all time for their longevity and being able to combine the athletism and the artistry (especially in the later years).
You'll continue to be impressed, then. I know I was. The US commentator team kept quiet for long stretches during each performance, even when something significant happened on screen. Perhaps some heroic intern snuck some lorazepam in their drinks?
Did anyone else notice Yuko pop her shoulder back in after the fall on the throw 3lp? Makes me cringe every time I see it.
I have to say that having watched figure skating for SO many years, I never thought I'd see the day when a Russian pairs team was not on the Olympics podium.Oh and sorry to gloat but... RUSSIAN SHUTOUT!!!!
Well, if S/Z have kids, he may be in line to coach the next generation of a skating dynasty!Double congrats to the Chinese!! And of course to Bin; having the gold and silver medalists must be a total dream. Wonder what his next wave of skaters will be like?
David Peletier announced that he (Morosov) was retiring so that she (Volosozhar) could find another partner to medal (presumably because she can't with him, which I think is a fair assessment. He's extremely strong, though).