Of course I realize all of what you have stated as well.Olympics is though a very serious competition, where the nerves play a much bigger role than in Worlds. To fail in Olympics, means that a skater has to wait 4 more years to try again. If one does not win at Worlds, it just means that one can try next year again. It is not at all such a pressure as competing in Olympics. And especial Olympic pressure have all those skaters that are possible gold medal contenders. There are no surprise winners in figure skating at Olympics. E.g. from the latest winners such as Baiul, Urmanov, Lipinski, Kulik and Hughes were no surprise winners for those that follow figure skating.
It has to suck waiting another long 4 years to go at it again, I just feel sorry for those who are medal favourites, then they make that trip to the Olympics only to be deemed a failure by the media and some of their fans. No skater is a failure to get out there and do what they do. But I think it's crazy to base any sports figures career on how they do at the Olympics, especially those who win 4 Worlds Championships in a row.I wish the skaters wouldn't put so much emphasis on the Olympics, but they do, that will never change.
TRAxel said:Of course I realize all of what you have stated as well.
Except, IMO and I was and have been following figure skating for a very long time, Oksana & Tara were some what surprise winners...I'm sure most fans were thinking that it was Nancy & Michelle who would take the Gold in those years.
That is why I said "somewhat" surprise winners, because for most fans...I'm sure that was the case. Urmanov was no surprise winner either, although I am one who doesn't agree with the outcome of that men's event... but that is a whole different storyJaana said:I too have been watching figure skating a long time, way beyond Nancy & Oksana. Actually I thought that Oksana had very good chances to win the gold and I rooted for her. As well as for Urmanov. To me Oksana was no surprise winner at all. The same applies to Tara. Of course Michelle was seen as a likely Olympic champion, but both Michelle and Tara were World champions, and I never thought that Tara could be counted out.