Biggest upset in Olympics or Worlds

[Vash01]

What was the biggest upset or the most surprising/unexpected gold medal in Olympics or worlds?

[Germanice]

I've chosen Alexei Urmanov! Absolutely deserved and undisputed IMO, but of course a huge surprise to win over such cracks like Boitano, Browning and Petrenko. Nobody would've predicted that before.

Anke

[Matt]

I chose Grischuk/Platov's gold at the '94 Olys b/c, IMO, they didn't deserve it. Usova/Zhulin and Torvill/Dean skated much better programmes (Torvill/Dean especially ) and when they showed footage of it afterwards, they were clearly in violation of the "no more than 5 seconds apart" rule in place at the time.

[RealtorGal]

I voted for Urmanov, but I hesitated because Sarah Hughes upset victory was equally as compelling and surprising.

Now that I look back, I have to wonder whether the comeback of Boitano & Petrenko was more hype than substance. I mean, Boitano didn't even win Nationals that year. It was just expected that they would sweep the podium based on past accomplishments. Boitano and Petrenko hadn't competed in at least several years prior to the Olympics, and in Boitano's case it had been MANY years since his amateur days. Kurt was reigning World Champion but had lost Canadian Nationals that year--I don't know what was up with THAT.

[Vash01]

Realtorgal,

You made an intereseting point- Boitano, Petrenko, Browning may have been more hype than substance. IMO particularly Boitano and Petrenko since they had not competed in the amateur comp since their Olympic gold medals. IIRC both Boitano and Browning had lost in their national chapmpionships. Browning at least was the reigning world champ so it was not too far out to expect him to win the Olympic gold.

I think many people forgot the importance of having to land jumps in the SP, under the Olympic pressure. Many assumed that these past champions would easily land them. When the networks were trying to 'predict' the 94 mens champ, Urmanov was not even being mentioned. Stojko was the only one being mentioned along with the big three.

Vash

[Germanice]

Realtorgal,

You made an intereseting point- Boitano, Petrenko, Browning may have been more hype than substance. IMO particularly Boitano and Petrenko since they had not competed in the amateur comp since their Olympic gold medals.

Sorry, correction! I have no idea what happend at US Nationals, but I know for sure Petrenko became 1st at European Championships before, an amateur comp!

Anke