Now, don't jump all over me but I thought he raised some very valid points.
All someone had to do was hear Tim Goebel after his failure to make the Olympic team at US Nationals almost break down and question what he would do with his life, and how many years he had now wasted.
People don't always think about the short shelf life these skaters have. If Slutskaya wins -she'll be ELEVEN years older than the previous two ladies Olympic gold medalists - she is considered OLD. Michelle is just right behind her. The beauty of things for Michelle is that she is an icon, a millionaire, and beloved by the public - so really - she's going to be fine, just fine.
But what I see with these skaters - especially some of the ones I've gotten to know well - is that they have a skewed existence. They don't grow up going to school, making friends, going to the prom, living a normal life. They are solo creatures - NOT part of a true team. They spend a life trying to cajole and influence adults (coaches, judges, sponsors) to love them. They destroy parts of their bodies for a shot at medals, money and fame - and then like shooting stars they burn out quickly.
It's a very solo sport where attention is lavished upon you at center ice....and then you get older...and injured...and lose popularity....and the spotlight slips away, and I'm sorry - but there is a certain desparation that goes along with that. I'm not saying Michelle is there - she is in fact light years away from that - but plenty of skaters really suffer when their presence on the ice is no longer requested.
All someone had to do was hear Tim Goebel after his failure to make the Olympic team at US Nationals almost break down and question what he would do with his life, and how many years he had now wasted.
People don't always think about the short shelf life these skaters have. If Slutskaya wins -she'll be ELEVEN years older than the previous two ladies Olympic gold medalists - she is considered OLD. Michelle is just right behind her. The beauty of things for Michelle is that she is an icon, a millionaire, and beloved by the public - so really - she's going to be fine, just fine.
But what I see with these skaters - especially some of the ones I've gotten to know well - is that they have a skewed existence. They don't grow up going to school, making friends, going to the prom, living a normal life. They are solo creatures - NOT part of a true team. They spend a life trying to cajole and influence adults (coaches, judges, sponsors) to love them. They destroy parts of their bodies for a shot at medals, money and fame - and then like shooting stars they burn out quickly.
It's a very solo sport where attention is lavished upon you at center ice....and then you get older...and injured...and lose popularity....and the spotlight slips away, and I'm sorry - but there is a certain desparation that goes along with that. I'm not saying Michelle is there - she is in fact light years away from that - but plenty of skaters really suffer when their presence on the ice is no longer requested.