^ What was wrong with Virtue and Moir's free dance at Finlandia? I thought it was great. Some of the lifts need to get smoother, but the same is true of Davis and White. I think it will go down to the wire, as usual.
I have mixed feelings about the interviewers at the USFS media event who asked all the skaters about Russia's anti-gay law, not just about TSL. I applaud Ashley's strong stance against the law, and felt very uncomfortable listening to the other skaters, including Meryl & Charlie, stumble around trying to answer the question.
Meryl and Charlie got a grilling from David Lease in this week's edition of 'This and That'
Absolutely disgusting! He was mocking Meryl, her character and her voice in such a rude, scathing and cattish manner. They also implied that since they were so focused on getting the gold next year that they are unrelatable to others because they didnt have an Ashley Wagner response when asked about Russia's propaganda laws- absolute garbage.
We all have an opinion on this serious issue but it's the athletes choice whether or not they want to go public on a political/human rights issue and we as a member of the public have to respect their decision As much as we demand others to respect our opinions and beliefs.
I also don't think that athletes should 'need' to use their celebrity to advance a social issue if they do not want to, and that if they do want to which social issues they choose to advocate for should be up to them. It's not really fair to say skaters X Y Z are awful people because they wouldn't speak out about this specific law.
Meryl and Charlie got a grilling from David Lease in this week's edition of 'This and That'
Absolutely disgusting! He was mocking Meryl, her character and her voice in such a rude, scathing and cattish manner. They also implied that since they were so focused on getting the gold next year that they are unrelatable to others because they didnt have an Ashley Wagner response when asked about Russia's propaganda laws- absolute garbage.
I honestly don't care one bit what any of them did or didn't say about the law. Even if D/W had said they're in favor of the law, I'd still think their skating was top notch and OGM worthy.
I also don't really think they care too much about their skating leading to other opportunities. Both are pursuing a quality college education that they doubtless expect to be more instrumental in their job search than their figure skating careers. I am not suggesting they'd scoff at endorsements or other opportunities, but having flown under the radar for so long due to the lack of popularity in ice dancing, I doubt it'd be any big loss to them.
I do also agree with some other comments that asking the question at all puts the skaters in a very uncomfortable position. They have been told a stance to stick to, and not sticking to it might have subtle but real implications for them. I also don't think that athletes should 'need' to use their celebrity to advance a social issue if they do not want to, and that if they do want to which social issues they choose to advocate for should be up to them. It's not really fair to say skaters X Y Z are awful people because they wouldn't speak out about this specific law.
To be totally clear, I hate the law as much as anyone. But I don't think that's relevant to what skaters should say or be expected to say.
They obviously have some kind of opinion on the matter and decided to just ignore it and fabricate a story ("we've never talked about it" - what a joke, you've never once talked about this issue, EVER?). It's entirely accurate to say they are hurting their careers.
I have mixed feelings about the interviewers at the USFS media event who asked all the skaters about Russia's anti-gay law, not just about TSL. I applaud Ashley's strong stance against the law, and felt very uncomfortable listening to the other skaters, including Meryl & Charlie, stumble around trying to answer the question.
Tuesday, the only likely individual U.S. figure skating medalists in Sochi, reigning world champion ice dancers Meryl Davis and Charlie White, also chose not to take a public stand on the anti-gay legislation.
“I don’t think we can speak because we haven’t really talked about between the two of us very much,’’ White said.
“I don’t think the Olympics is really the right place for an athlete to make a political statement,” Davis said.
Asked if this was not a political issue but a human rights issue, White said, “Unfortunately, it’s semantics. To Russia, it is a political statement. And they are the host country. I think that is probably all we will say on the subject.”
You are entitled to your opinion. It isn't shared by many of the skaters/fellow competitors themselves, past or present, or other coaches, or many fans. Some people did not understand the concept or art of Carmen, or perhaps didn't want to. These are normally the same people who don't watch, understand or appreciate modern dance on the floor. V/M Carmen was groundbreaking because it really worked to take the principles of real dance on the floor and stage and bring it to the ice. It was likely the most difficult program ever done on ice. It was executed with incredible lines, attention to detail, speed, power, emotion, .... It was the closest thing I've ever seen to marrying ice dance into art and sport. It really transcended COP, which is evidenced by how it was and wasn't judged throughout the season. They proved that COP does not need to be formulaic, and only about elements. There is nothing wrong skating to classics. People complain about D/W sometimes because they do re-use many concepts, stylings and yes, elements. I don't blame them. They are staying with what they know, doing it well, and racking up the points. When V/M skate, to me, it really is art, from unique choreography, new elements, and attention to all the details from the top of their heads to the tips of their fingers and toes. Their lines, expressions, everything is so in sync. They are truly once in a generation team. D/W are fantastic skaters and great athletes. I like watching them. They are very nice people. My favourite programs of theirs would have to be Bollywood and Samson. But for me, V/M are the perfect combo of sport and art, real dancers. And for me, this is ice DANCE.
golden, I don't think any audio is available.
I will hazard a guess that D/W have not been doing the 3-set twizzles because they would fall right off on the third set.
I agree with everything you say! As an ex dancer & modern dance fan I loved V/M's Carmen, was so impressed they pushed themselves in a new way. But to each his/her own. Some were shocked & disturbed by the program - of course that's sometimes the intention of modern dance - to evoke strong emotion. The story of Carmen isn't a pretty one. Those who saw it as "vulgar" and "pornographic" - well, perhaps that's what's in your mind to begin with. I enjoy both top teams but prefer V/M because they truly dance & transcend ice dance, making it art.
and this guy wants to be taken seriously as a journalist? What a joke!
and this guy wants to be taken seriously as a journalist? What a joke!