Plushenko may be a bada$$ when it comes to his male rivals, but I have seen him interact with the ladies at various events, and he is the soul of gallantry. :yes:
Agree that most of us don't know the three skaters personally.
That said, I would be happy to have tea and cookies with Scott and Patrick or for them to marry my nieces. And not because of their world titles, but because of who they are off the ice.
I would be thrilled if one of them is chosen as a flagbearer for the Closing Ceremony -- although in Scott's case, I hope that Tessa and he both would have the honor together.
We are talking about Plusheno, who has lived the russian dream, who left at age 11 with no money to train with Mishin as a wunderkid, has stayed in Russia for all his life and with same coach, has brought popularity inside Russia, 90% of young skaters are copying him and his haircut, he is famous outside Russia too, will be in his 4th Olympics and has earned a tone of medals, most of them gold, has come back time after time, I m guessing unless you spend time reading the yellow press and what he said where, he pretty much represents what Russia would want to promote as a role model when it comes to sports.
I agree that skaters make statements that are poor judgment but I think in the case of slamming another skater to try to get to the Olympics isn't really deserving of bearing the flag. It would be like if Chantelle Kerry won her campaign against Brooklee Han, and somehow ended up being Australia's flagbearer. I think sportsmanship is a huge part of Olympic ideals and athletes who breach that shouldn't be representing other athletes, no matter how extensive their athletic success has been.
but I think in the case of slamming another skater to try to get to the Olympics isn't really deserving of bearing the flag
Don't you really know what is happening outside Canada, in Russia? As Senorita said, it was Kovtun first criticize Plushenko after Russian National. It is part of Tarassova's campaign against Plushenko to send Kovtun to Sochi. And also Yagudin takes part to it blaming Plushenko every time he talks or writes. So, Plushenko is only a gentlemen don't answer in a worse way. And what he said? Only that for Oly is necessary an expert skater. What else said? I don't understand, sorry. He has so many pressure. Haters in Russia, out of Russia, surgery, age, etc.. Please he's a great athlete and deserve at least to be informed before criticize him.
Also Chan, before Vancouver had a big mouth blaming Plushenko and Joubert, don't you remember? Now he's diplomatic. But I never mind it.
Anyway, come back to the topic, i think organisation's schedule is not good! I'm so sorry about it!!
"Slamming"?? So, when kovtun first say something, this is only "easily" say something. When plushenko answer to him, this is slammering. Ok, that's your opinion.
Anyway I repeat: you don't know what is happening in Russia and what Tarassova is doing. Senorita reported some details!! To be clear: Tarassova in interviews says plushenko is the best choice, than her boys (kovtun, yagudin,...) attack plushenko (pease read what Yagudin says these days about plshenko. I'm so surprised he's this kind of person and he openly said he's following Tarassova).
Behind kovtun's words there is something else. It's necessary to understand it.
Plushenko is obliged to defend his right to go to Oly and, I repeat, he's a gentlemen to answer only with these words!! In Russia he's under attack.
If plushenko for these words doesn't deserve to be a flag bearer, I don't know who deserves it. You want the perfect model of olympic spirit! But this saint really exist? You are judjing persons. Maybe he's better judge all the sacrifices an athlete did since he was a little boy to became a legend.
Personally I don't want judge anyone, but only judge performances on ice
"Slamming"?? So, when kovtun first say something, this is only "easily" say something. When plushenko answer to him, this is slammering. Ok, that's your opinion.
Anyway I repeat: you don't know what is happening in Russia and what Tarassova is doing. Senorita reported some details!! To be clear: Tarassova in interviews says plushenko is the best choice, than her boys (kovtun, yagudin,...) attack plushenko (pease read what Yagudin says these days about plshenko. I'm so surprised he's this kind of person and he openly said he's following Tarassova).
Behind kovtun's words there is something else. It's necessary to understand it.
Plushenko is obliged to defend his right to go to Oly and, I repeat, he's a gentlemen to answer only with these words!! In Russia he's under attack.
If plushenko for these words doesn't deserve to be a flag bearer, I don't know who deserves it. You want the perfect model of olympic spirit! But this saint really exist? You are judjing persons. Maybe he's better judge all the sacrifices an athlete did since he was a little boy to became a legend.
Personally I don't want judge anyone, but only judge performances on ice
Restraint is certainly not what I would call it. He has been very outspoken. If he were to have exercised restraint he would not have said the things he said about Kovtun, particularly after losing to him. Restraint would have been not saying anything and then going to Euros to earn the spot rather than get a big asterisk any time people wonder how he made the Olympic team without ever beating Kovtun and not being the reigning Russian champion for a single Olympic spot.
Although I should say that Kovtun's attitude and juvenile behaviour has made me less sympathetic towards him in this whole situation. Voronov, however, seems to be wayyy more gracious and classy than Plu and Kovtun, even though he has been doubly screwed over being denied Worlds last year and Olympic consideration this year.