Speedy is a strange man - Article

[Kwanford Wife]

I saw this article on another site and decided that I'd try my hand at posting an article link... If it doesn't work, the article can be found at Boston.com's on-line edition

http://www.boston.com/sports/other_s...in_motherland/

The article is a pretty good review of Worlds but has the strangest comment from Speedy regarding Plushy's injury...

They won gold medals in three of four events and if three-time men's victor Evgeny Plushenko hadn't withdrawn with a balky groin muscle, the hosts might have run the table. "I would have put him out there in his pajamas," declared International Skating Union president Ottavio Cinquanta.

Excuse me, but am I'm missing something? How does the president of a sport justify this sort of position? Is he trying to ruin this sport with his shortsighted views and bad business model? [color=red]*[/color][color=red]*[/color][color=red]*[/color] is he thinking?

Kwanford Wife

[JonnyCoop]

He's a jackass, pure and simple. What was he so worried about, that everyone who'd bought a ticket for the Mens Final was going to demand a refund? I say let him keep putting his foot into his stupid mouth; one of these days he's gonna say just the wrong thing and THEN maybe we'll have a good chance to see his head on a pike.

On a related note; I could have well done without the phrasing of "Carolina Kostner won the first Italian Women's medal in 27 years", given that Susanna Driano won the last one and that was at the last Worlds contested before I started following skating in '79. I do not care for any little reminders as to how old I actually am!

[Ptichka]

May be Speedy should have gone out there himself in his pajamas...

As to what he is afraid of - it's easy. Low TV viewership. That people will know that Plushy didn't skate, that it was a boring men's final, and that they won't watch.

[Joesitz]

Speedy is one silly *** but he can be dangerous.

I did like the tone of the article, though. Kind of amusing with his opinions.

Pitchka - Any review by that Russian journalist whom I enjoy so much?

Joe

[michaelfsfan]

Excuse me, but am I'm missing something? How does the president of a sport justify this sort of position? Is he trying to ruin this sport with his shortsighted views and bad business model? [color=red]*[/color][color=red]*[/color][color=red]*[/color] is he thinking?

Kwanford Wife

I believe Speedy has what's called the Foot-In-Mouth disease .....

[Ogre Mage]

I hope that pajama thing was a joke. Otherwise, that kind of talk makes $peedy sound like some sort of slavedriver and the skaters are just animals there to do his will. You don't treat people like that.

[soogar]

I don't think there's anything wrong with the comment he made. It sounds more tongue in cheek than anything. Perhaps a testiment to Plush's talent that he can win a worlds in his pajamas (comment was made in reference to Russia sweeping the other 3 disciplines).

I think it's so odd how people are jumping on him for this

[Ptichka]

Pitchka - Any review by that Russian journalist whom I enjoy so much?

Yah, I'll get to translating it when I have time. He is not as easy to put into English as most journalists.

BTW, ever since I started translating his pieces and sending them to him, he has put them on his website http://www.arthurwerner.narod.ru/

[Eeyora]

Just what he needed to say to boost his already loved image

[mzheng]

May be Speedy should have gone out there himself in his pajamas...
.

[sk8addict]

I hope that pajama thing was a joke. Otherwise, that kind of talk makes $peedy sound like some sort of slavedriver and the skaters are just animals there to do his will. You don't treat people like that.

I bet you Russia's #1 man will appear on the ice in pajamas sooner or later. He has a great since of humor & would probably love the oppertunity to bring this back into the public arena.

[Kwanford Wife]

I don't think there's anything wrong with the comment he made. It sounds more tongue in cheek than anything. Perhaps a testiment to Plush's talent that he can win a worlds in his pajamas (comment was made in reference to Russia sweeping the other 3 disciplines).

I think it's so odd how people are jumping on him for this

You are probably the most contrary person I have ever come across... And that is truly impressive...

KW

[Mathman]

BTW, ever since I started translating his pieces and sending them to him, he has put them on his website http://www.arthurwerner.narod.ru/

Wow, that's totally awsome, Ptichka.

But he ought to aknowledge the translator. Or does he do this in Russian on his main page? The translations are excellent and the notes are useful, too, for non-Russian readers.

(Plus, tell him to get a faster server, LOL.)

MM

PS. Hi Kwanfordwife. Yes, Soogar is a contrarian , but in this case I think she is right. I think Cinquanta's statement is intended to be a joke.

[Joesitz]

Yah, I'll get to translating it when I have time. He is not as easy to put into English as most journalists.

BTW, ever since I started translating his pieces and sending them to him, he has put them on his website http://www.arthurwerner.narod.ru/

I just had a chance to read the one on black ice. This is not what I expected to read but it was fascinating because I do not know anything of the Russian(Soviet) workings in figure skating.

Mr. Werner has a lot to say and he keeps within the historical sense of figure skating in the Soviet Union. With the breakup of the SU, and the rise of Piseyev, I can understand the diaspora of the Russian coaches.

Thanks again, Pitchka, and I look forward to reading any review of the recent Worlds if you have the time. Werner's sense of humor breaks me up. I think he could get a job writing a sitcom.

Joe

[Mathman]

I bet you Russia's #1 man will appear on the ice in pajamas sooner or later. He has a great since of humor & would probably love the oppertunity to bring this back into the public arena.

He should jump on it! I don't know if he can match Sex Bomb or the Big Head, but everyone in the know would be at the inside joke!

MM