Have you noticed how biased the audience has been during the team competition? Yes, it is in Russia but even when a skater from a different country excels in his performance, they are very muted. Compare that with American or Canadian crowds who really cheer when they witness great skating regardless of country. I think it has to do with the innate Russian sense of insecurity.
My aren't we getting snarky about the Russians. Forget how blatantly biased and loud the crowd was for the Canadian skaters in Vancouver? Or Michele Kwan in Salt Lake? Happens in every country and the Russians are just as entitled to cheer for their skaters as any one else. Many countries they cheer as encouragement if someone falters. I thought the Cold War was over. The Russians have a very strong team of Figure Skaters because they work at it.
Did you miss the title of this thread?No one is complaining about the Russians giving support to their own skaters. That's to be expected and the home crowds always cheer loudly for their own, but the point of contention is their lack of applause and appreciation for the skaters from other countries. Most figure skating crowds recognize outstanding achievements by any skater and will give them a loud round of applause but to my eyes and ears, that's definitely missing from these Russian crowds and unfortunately, it seems to be affecting the judges.
I just cannot for the life of me recall this kind of attitude from the Canadian public in Vancouver. I take no offense in cheering loudly (or louder) for Russian skaters, or chanting 'Rossia' or whatever. But laughing at skaters that make mistakes? Very, very subdued reactions to other amazing skaters? Complete over the top reactions during the warm-up? I also roll my eyes every time they start clapping when music comes on that was created by a Russian composer - skaters who opted to skate to Russian music this season are rewarded with *some* audience participation. I think it's normal that the crowd gets into a familiar tune, but it's just so obvious it happens only when it's Swan Lake or something. The patriotism is just very tangible throughout the entire competition and it's getting on my nerves. I've watched so many figure skating competitions in all sort of countries and I feel it's never been like this before. Still a week and a half to go...
On the other hand I didn't know what to make of the clapping when Robin fell. I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt in the respect that they were trying to pick them up.The crowd responded to their choice of music enthusiastically.
From my television it does seem different from any competition I've seen in any other country that I've been to or seen on TV
But at least from my TV, my impression of the crowd in the team event was nothing like I've ever seen in relation to response for other countries. Expecting Russia not to get a little overzealous about their own skaters seems a bit unrealistic.
I think what we are seeing is the equivalent of an American crowd at a Super Bowl. Figure Skating in Russia is as popular as football is in the US.
Aliona & Robin apparently picked up on the strange 'loyal' crowd reactions to their performance. Icenetwork article:
- their music was welcomed with cheers because it was The Nutcracker
- "Szolkowy fell on a triple toe loop and the crowd cheered again ... The cheers were not lost on the Germans"
- "At least they clapped after our performance."
In the audience's defense (though I still stick to my earlier rant & frustrations) - it's never easy to have a 'good' reaction when a team/skater is having a rough skate.
The crowd in the Iceberg Skating Palace was boisterous and loyal to the Russian skaters, but once they recognized the opening notes to the Germans' music, which was from the classic Tchiakovsky ballet, The Nutcracker, the fans began to cheer.
Shortly after the Germans opened their program, though, Szolkowy fell on a triple toe loop and the crowd cheered again, this time knowing full well that the gold would end up in Russian hands. The cheers were not lost on the Germans. Savchenko and Szolkowy did not give up on their program, even attempting the throw triple Axel at the very end, but Savchenko fell, and so did their gold-medal hopes.
"For me, it was not the best to skate here," Szolkowy said. "We are in Russia and Russian skaters are on the ice. I would say it would be the same in Germany. At least they clapped after our performance.
"This is a really hard time for us right now," Szolkowy added. "Yesterday, we were in second place after the short program and we wanted to fight to win. Now, it feels like we lost a lot."