Evora already has been teaching/coaching/mentoring too, per IN blog (which has details that I didn't copy into my earlier post).Originally Posted by mousepotato
Evora already has been teaching/coaching/mentoring too, per IN blog (which has details that I didn't copy into my earlier post).
For Mathman and others who were excited for the Shibutanis when they attended Sec. Clinton's recent State Department dinner for PM Noda of Japan:
On Friday, Evora attended Sec. Clinton's luncheon in honor of His Excellency Benigno S. Aquino III, President of the Republic of the Philippines. IN has Evora's excellent report on the occasion + photos.
Mathman has previously noted that President Obama watches curling on TV and that evidence keeps increasing that Sec. Clinton must be a skating fan.
Although we haven't seen any curling athletes at the White House yet (AFAIK?), it's great that the State Department has been showcasing some skaters as ambassadors not only for their sport but also for the US.
Yes, it's wonderful that skaters are being noticed for duties like this. I think athletes from all sports have wonderful possibilities as non-professional goodwill ambassadors. They're experienced in public appearances, they're used to the rigors of travel (which isn't all excitement and exotic scenery by any means) they can keep hold of themselves in clutch situations (and not faint or babble the way I, for example, would do), and they often have family links to other cultures, so they can represent American diversity. Some of them even speak the language of their family heritage. Of course, I'm happiest when skaters get these assignments, especially to luncheons with heads of state, but a poised track and field or soccer star can be equally helpful to international relations.
This totally rocks.Thanks for the post, Golden411. Figure skaters rule!
I just took a good look at all the names in this post and realize that I've been about two jumps behind the news. I didn't realize that Benigno Aquino III was the new President of the Philippines. That's Ninoy and Corazon's son, right? My goodness. The things we learn through skating.
ETA: I read the Ice Network report supplied by Evora. It's very vivid. What a lovely event it must have been. The one photo of Evora with President Aquino is wonderful.
Last edited by Olympia; 06-12-2012 at 09:05 PM.
Olympia is correct that Ninoy and Cory were the parents of President Aquino.
Benigno III's nickname apparently is Noynoy, and he was elected President in 2010. (I too had to play quick catch-up on this news.)
http://malacanang.gov.ph/presidents/...no-aquino-iii/
http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/se...noynoy_bio.asp
And Olympia, I hope that you also clicked on IN's photo gallery of Evora at the luncheon, which shows her with a few other guests, such as Sen. Lugar. There's a great one of her next to the seal of the Department of State, and another one of the fancy table setting showing her place card.
Nice for her to do such a good job of documenting the occasion for us.
Thanks, Golden411! I hadn't noticed the gallery until you pointed it out. The table setting is spectacular, and Amanda looks wonderful in all the photos. What a tremendous experience for her to take part in, and how nice of her to share it with her skating fans.
And the Shibutanis were at an event for Japanese officials? Maybe it's true about Hillary, that she's a skating fan. (Finally, a government official who's interested in something besides football and basketball.)
Condi Rice is a former figure skater.
Yes, Toni, I know, and she set the ball rolling with skating by hiring Michelle. Believe me, I'm grateful to both of them for getting skating into the spotlight like this. In fact, I wondered when the administration changed whether the new Secretary of State would continue Michelle's role, so I'm extra gleeful that Hillary also saw the potential in having a skater represent us abroad. Though we know for sure that Condi Rice is a longtime fan of skating, I don't know what Hillary Clinton's personal preferences are with this sport, but I like to think that she follows it at least a little.
By the way, I gather that Rice's enjoyment of sports isn't limited to skating. At one point, didn't someone suggest her as the commissioner of football as a post-government job? She's apparently quite an aficionado. But I'm more interested in the fact that she plays really good chamber music. I'm sure football is very nice...far away from me.
Rice playing Brahms. In this recital she and the strings played one movement of Brahms and one movement of Dvorak. Now, this is a team sport I can get into. She's obviously an accomplished pianist; Brahms is notoriously tough on instrumentalists.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq6_nHyFSrc
Last edited by Olympia; 06-13-2012 at 09:01 AM.
Involving figure skating to politically amicable parties has been a consistent move on Hilary's part and the fact that Michelle's rolling like a fireball during her time in Washington sure does help. Yuna was invited earlier this year IIRC when two years ago Madame secretary praised her olympic victory publicly, and Shibutanis and now Evora. Such a wonderful time for the sport:D
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