Rachael Flatt news

Long time reader, 1st time poster and parent of a competitive figure skater. You could have ended your post at "Flatt was an overachiever who had a very nice career for herself in international skating." All current/past competitive skaters and their family know what each skater and their respective family sacrifice for this sport/dream. Let's stop the negativity (ironic since I'm actually pretty bitter person). Imagine waking up at 4am every morning since you were 4~5yo 'til your 20's, eating in the car, changing for school in the car, doing homework in the car, no sleepovers (doesn't work when you're used to sleeping by 7pm), no playdates, friends, etc, etc. It's what these skaters sacrifice and do. I've read many posts here, there, everywhere, criticizing Nagasu's work ethics. Here's my take, I think she was burnt out. All those years of early morning, afternoon practices. All those lonely hours on the ice (it's not a team sport, it's got to be psychologically/mentally taxing). It all culminated to Vancouver Olympics where she, admirably, finished 4th (and many believe should have won the bronze). Where do you go after you've reached your dream, the olympics? Even the great Yuna Kim lost her motivation at the Worlds following the olympics. And Nagasu was a teenager. Let's cut her some slack. Perhaps she should be faulted for not taking a long break to refuel and to energize.

This is not an attack on pantongfan. I hope you don't take it that way.

Welcome jdlee. I don't think PT was suggesting Rachel worked harder than the others. Rather, it's clear that her form in competition was closer to her own peak level than her rivals. Often we see Mirai and Ashley (among others) do beautiful jumps in practice and warm-up, but tighten up during the competition. This is understandable, but Rachel was rare in her ability to rise above the burn out to deliver to her best ability.

my apologies.

jdlee said:

Long time reader, 1st time poster and parent of a competitive figure skater. You could have ended your post at "Flatt was an overachiever who had a very nice career for herself in international skating." All current/past competitive skaters and their family know what each skater and their respective family sacrifice for this sport/dream. Let's stop the negativity (ironic since I'm actually pretty bitter person). Imagine waking up at 4am every morning since you were 4~5yo 'til your 20's, eating in the car, changing for school in the car, doing homework in the car, no sleepovers (doesn't work when you're used to sleeping by 7pm), no playdates, friends, etc, etc. It's what these skaters sacrifice and do. I've read many posts here, there, everywhere, criticizing Nagasu's work ethics. Here's my take, I think she was burnt out. All those years of early morning, afternoon practices. All those lonely hours on the ice (it's not a team sport, it's got to be psychologically/mentally taxing). It all culminated to Vancouver Olympics where she, admirably, finished 4th (and many believe should have won the bronze). Where do you go after you've reached your dream, the olympics? Even the great Yuna Kim lost her motivation at the Worlds following the olympics. And Nagasu was a teenager. Let's cut her some slack. Perhaps she should be faulted for not taking a long break to refuel and to energize.

This is not an attack on pantongfan. I hope you don't take it that way.

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And more people thought the bronze medallist should have been silver which means the silver medallist should have been fourth. Mirai sadly did not have the edges or skating skills back then of the top skaters (Kim, Asada and Rochette). Her version of Carmen was rather an academic execution of elements but had very l i ttlte to do with the character of CArmen other than she was a female. She could have been skating to Beauty and the beast or a Whole New W - very little interpretation or comprehension of artistic skating

Just playing the devil's advocate.... there lies the problem with this sport. Edges, skating skills, musicality, etc etc are in the hands of these judges who award points. someone commented, a 2 point basket in a basketball game is a 2 point basket, no extra point is awarded for a shot with Michael Jordonesque difficulty. Then again, one can argue fouls are called by referees that can affect the outcome of a game. In baseball, balls and strikes are called by umpires. Are skating judges equivalent to NBA referees or MLB Umpires? Just a thought.

Nobody had a chance at the last Olympics--no American, I mean. If YuNa skated pretty good, she'd come in first. If Mao skated pretty well, second. Rochette was the hometown girl and her mother had died, making her the sentimental favorite. There was no conceivable way Mirai would go ahead of her unless Joannie fell numerous times, and she did not. Mirai deserves a lot of credit for at least getting an American near the podium. We'll see how well these three do in a couple of weeks, but the only one I trust not to fall apart is Polina. I wish Rachael were going.

What I find upsetting is that (it seems like) the "sports envoy" is some sort of a fluff job for famous people. I thought Michelle had really earned the position through her studies in international relations, not her skating background. Correct me if I'm wrong.

As for Rachael? We'll see. It's hard to tell who's really smart and who gets into fancy schools, etc. based on their fame. Sarah Hughes was supposed to go to medical school, too, and she seems to have no career at all. Of course, this makes Debi Thomas's accomplishments all the more impressive.

Poodlepal said:

As for Rachael? We'll see. It's hard to tell who's really smart and who gets into fancy schools, etc. based on their fame. Sarah Hughes was supposed to go to medical school, too, and she seems to have no career at all. Of course, this makes Debi Thomas's accomplishments all the more impressive.

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People who get into "fancy schools" have a combination of smarts and personal accomplishments. Once there, they usually do pretty well because top schools generally don't give grades below B except in STEM courses. Someone like Rachel who can make A's and B's, along with having been one of the best in the world at something, will have her choice of medical schools to attend.

Poodlepal said:

Nobody had a chance at the last Olympics--no American, I mean. If YuNa skated pretty good, she'd come in first. If Mao skated pretty well, second. Rochette was the hometown girl and her mother had died, making her the sentimental favorite. There was no conceivable way Mirai would go ahead of her unless Joannie fell numerous times, and she did not. Mirai deserves a lot of credit for at least getting an American near the podium. We'll see how well these three do in a couple of weeks, but the only one I trust not to fall apart is Polina. I wish Rachael were going.

What I find upsetting is that (it seems like) the "sports envoy" is some sort of a fluff job for famous people. I thought Michelle had really earned the position through her studies in international relations, not her skating background. Correct me if I'm wrong.

As for Rachael? We'll see. It's hard to tell who's really smart and who gets into fancy schools, etc. based on their fame. Sarah Hughes was supposed to go to medical school, too, and she seems to have no career at all. Of course, this makes Debi Thomas's accomplishments all the more impressive.

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:yes:

Yeah, Sarah got back into skating and attending events. The drive and push she showed to be able to skate that performance at 16 was amazing. I did not hear Sarah was interested in med school. I thought law school like her Dad. At any rate, she is very capable and still on the edges of the skating world. Maybe she has enough money to float until she finds something she really loves. I think she is still the very mature, self own girl we watched rise meteorically in skating like Tara. She will likely go to grad school when she finds something she loves as much as she loved skating.

It must be very seductive to be an American Oly Gold medalist-always on the invitation list to the upper class activities, charity events, competitions. It seems funny that fashionista Sasha wants know to be a hedge fund mgr, and Sarah is still floating around. Fine with me, but I thought she had the drive to become a New York Senator. No one really knows her. She is not seeking notoriety with a political marriage. It just occurred to me she may be wanting to marry and have a pack of Hughes kids like her mom. Maybe she is looking for her husband. At any rate, she could do anything. I hope we see her using the talents she has.

skateluvr said:

Yeah, Sarah got back into skating and attending events. The drive and push she showed to be able to skate that performance at 16 was amazing. I did not hear Sarah was interested in med school. I thought law school like her Dad. At any rate, she is very capable and still on the edges of the skating world. Maybe she has enough money to float until she finds something she really loves. I think she is still the very mature, self own girl we watched rise meteorically in skating like Tara. She will likely go to grad school when she finds something she loves as much as she loved skating.

It must be very seductive to be an American Oly Gold medalist-always on the invitation list to the upper class activities, charity events, competitions. It seems funny that fashionista Sasha wants know to be a hedge fund mgr, and Sarah is still floating around. Fine with me, but I thought she had the drive to become a New York Senator. No one really knows her. She is not seeking notoriety with a political marriage. It just occurred to me she may be wanting to marry and have a pack of Hughes kids like her mom. Maybe she is looking for her husband. At any rate, she could do anything. I hope we see her using the talents she has.

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Is this a dig at Michelle????

Because I hardly think she was lacking in notoriety before her marriage.

Poodlepal said:

What I find upsetting is that (it seems like) the "sports envoy" is some sort of a fluff job for famous people. I thought Michelle had really earned the position through her studies in international relations, not her skating background. Correct me if I'm wrong.

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Short answer: You're wrong.

Longer answer:
- When the State Department issues a press release announcing Flatt as a sports envoy, I will come back and post it in this thread, along with the old State Department announcements re Kwan and Lysacek.
- Meanwhile, I assume that Flatt's role will be in addition to -- not instead of -- her studies at Stanford. I doubt very much that the envoy position will be a full-time job. I have no expectation that it will interfere with her long-planned medical career.
- I envision that as Lysacek has done, she will make one or more trips to foreign countries to interact with international youth as an official representative of the U.S. I bet that they will be excited to meet one of America's best and brightest.
- Through her ACCOMPLISHMENTS, Flatt EARNED whatever "fame" she has. She is an Olympian and a former national champion, a future physician, and a lovely young lady on the inside and the outside. As an American, I too would be honored to meet her.
- I should have been more precise regarding Kwan in my original post. Lysacek and other sports envoys (who are known primarily for their own accomplishments as athletes) have slightly different official titles than what Kwan's was. She technically was named a "public diplomacy envoy," IIRC -- but with a clear emphasis on sports diplomacy. And IIRC, Kwan became an envoy before completing her studies -- so her demonstrated interest in international relations would not have hurt, but her academic credentials to date were hardly the sole basis for the State Department's original interest in her. Kwan's skating background was very much a reason for her appointment as envoy. I'm sure that Kwan herself would say the same.

Thanks to the mods for changing the title of this thread.

I am sad that the only comment about the State Department news has been one of skepticism.
With "friends" like us, apparently skaters do not need enemies. :no:

Sadly, even after she retires from skating, Rachael can't cut a break from people on these boards. Oh well.

In any case, I'd suggest that people head on over to the Department of State's Sports Diplomacy page: http://eca.state.gov/programs-initi...voys-and-sports-visitors#sthash.pBXvXkcM.dpuf

Sports Envoys are athletes and coaches who travel overseas to lead programs that were developed by U.S. embassies and consulates. These American coaches and athletes hold sports clinics for young people and their coaches, participate in community outreach activities, and engage youth in a dialogue on the importance of leadership and respect for diversity. SportsUnited manages the Sports Envoy programs, working in cooperation with the U.S. Olympic Committee, U.S. sports federations, and professional leagues.

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Here's a list of Sports Envoys: http://eca.state.gov/programs-initi...d-sports-visitors/sports-and-public-diplomacy

Besides being a former Olympian, Rachael's community service activities probably caught the attention of the department as well. While she was active in the competitive ranks, I recall that Rachael actively was involved in other aspects of the sport that included skating in benefit shows, helping out at various learn-to-skate events and other related causes (see here: http://www.figureskatersonline.com/rachaelflatt/causes.html). More recently Rachael served as an athlete ambassador to the University of Coloraldo Health System "Road to Greatness" challenge. http://www.uchroadtohealth.org/people/rachael-flatt/

In essence, Rachael EARNED this job just like any regular person would have. Rachael had clearly had a slew of community service and sports activities on her resume. That list clearly caught the attention of the U.S. Department of State, which extended the Sports Envoy job to her.

So really, I was not surprised that she was selected for this great opportunity. Go Rach!

Sasha'sSpins said:

All I see is the title and some survey. What is the gist of the article?

eta: I found part of it on this other site: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_24841117/rachel-flatt-leads-public-ice-skating-event-colorados

COLORADO SPRINGS — Rachael Flatt says she is at her best when she is really busy. The 2010 Cheyenne Mountain High School graduate knows. You can trust the 2010 Olympian on this.

Her extracurricular commitments as a junior class president at Stanford and a Alpha Phi sorority member and challenging academic work as a pre-med student is enough to overwhelm most.

She is excited to begin life after figure skating after about three years of battling injuries. She wants to enjoy this final season before she retires to focus on medical school.

Part of her transition to life after figure skating is why Flatt led a public skate Thursday that drew about 110 people to Honnen Ice Arena on the Colorado College campus. It served as a fundraiser for the Memorial Hospital Foundation.

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She may have never won the big prize but she sure is a winner.

jdlee said:

Long time reader, 1st time poster and parent of a competitive figure skater. You could have ended your post at "Flatt was an overachiever who had a very nice career for herself in international skating." All current/past competitive skaters and their family know what each skater and their respective family sacrifice for this sport/dream. Let's stop the negativity (ironic since I'm actually pretty bitter person). Imagine waking up at 4am every morning since you were 4~5yo 'til your 20's, eating in the car, changing for school in the car, doing homework in the car, no sleepovers (doesn't work when you're used to sleeping by 7pm), no playdates, friends, etc, etc. It's what these skaters sacrifice and do. I've read many posts here, there, everywhere, criticizing Nagasu's work ethics. Here's my take, I think she was burnt out. All those years of early morning, afternoon practices. All those lonely hours on the ice (it's not a team sport, it's got to be psychologically/mentally taxing). It all culminated to Vancouver Olympics where she, admirably, finished 4th (and many believe should have won the bronze). Where do you go after you've reached your dream, the olympics? Even the great Yuna Kim lost her motivation at the Worlds following the olympics. And Nagasu was a teenager. Let's cut her some slack. Perhaps she should be faulted for not taking a long break to refuel and to energize.

This is not an attack on pantongfan. I hope you don't take it that way.

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Young skaters would do better to forego those early morning training sessions. The Hughes consulted a sleep specialist, who has been on tv recently, and told them Sarah should forego her early morning sessions . IMO many skaters are not training smart and are making things much more difficult for themselves than is necessary.

Icey said:

Young skaters would do better to forego those early morning training sessions. The Hughes consulted a sleep specialist, who has been on tv recently, and told them Sarah should forego her early morning sessions . IMO many skaters are not training smart and are making things much more difficult for themselves than is necessary.

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I think they need to do early morning sessions because that is when the ice is available.

And because it works around the school day if they attend regular school.

I'll say this for her--she exited the skating world with class and on her own terms. With two killer costumes to boot.

So, style and class. Not a bad combo.

Icey said:

Young skaters would do better to forego those early morning training sessions. The Hughes consulted a sleep specialist, who has been on tv recently, and told them Sarah should forego her early morning sessions . IMO many skaters are not training smart and are making things much more difficult for themselves than is necessary.

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Thank you for your response. Perhaps you are correct and in a perfect skating world, all competitive skaters would get perfect amount of sleep and perfect balance of on and off ice training to fuel them in their endeavors, not to mention perfect balance of school/social life and skating. Believe you me, not only are skaters sleep deprived but also their chauffeurs, the parent(s). Family's somehow make it "work" (Harding, Agnes Z, Mirai N, and countless dreamers at your local rinks down the street). It's a brutal activity (sport?) where the fate of your present and future standings in the activity (sport) do not rest solely on your ability to execute required elements, but also impressing (and being noticed early on in your skating career) those people sitting on the board wearing their warm, fuzzy coats, and critiquing your every move. Having said that, there's not a thing I would change about me, waking up 4am daily, sitting in a frigid, dark (fig skaters are treated like a "stepchild" at most rinks as the rinks dim the light during FS sessions to conserve electricity while nuclear rays of sunshine spotlights hockey sessions) skating rink watching my lil girl working hard for her goals.

drivingmissdaisy said:

People who get into "fancy schools" have a combination of smarts and personal accomplishments. Once there, they usually do pretty well because top schools generally don't give grades below B except in STEM courses. Someone like Rachel who can make A's and B's, along with having been one of the best in the world at something, will have her choice of medical schools to attend.

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Maybe things have changed, or Harvard doesn't follow the grade giving procedures you suggest for top schools, but when JFK's academic record was made public there were c's given.

Some of the ivy leagues make it almost impossible to fail and Stanford is among them:

Although Stanford has a regular grading policy where undergraduate students can get A, B, C, and D grades, there are no F grades given.

Here, grade inflation is still common. This chart shows the steady increase in average GPAs from a 2.48 in 1917, to a 3.55 in 2005.

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http://www.businessinsider.com/13-schools-where-its-really-hard-to-fail-2013-5?op=1

I have worked with Harvard graduates in my field and find myself often astounded at the things they don't know. Some have come to me for help with problems that any sophomore major in my field at my state institution would know how to solve.