- Joined
- Aug 27, 2003
Soogar brings up a good point in suggesting that the OGM winner should go to Worlds if for no other reason than to place well and give up-and-coming younger skaters the opportunity to go the next year.
The OGM winners are certainly not *obligated* to do this, but I feel they ought to. Most skaters depend heavily on the federation's support on their way up. Why can't they give a little back once they've reached the top? I remember how sorry I felt for MK at Worlds in 1994, carrying all the pressure of the U.S. ladies program on her 13-year-old shoulders. (The fact that she handled it and skated as well as she did was one of the first indications that MK was special.)
I also agree with mpal that skaters who truly have that competitive spirit will want to skate at Worlds and have the opportunity to compete and win again.
As you can tell, I have strong feelings about this issue.
The OGM winners are certainly not *obligated* to do this, but I feel they ought to. Most skaters depend heavily on the federation's support on their way up. Why can't they give a little back once they've reached the top? I remember how sorry I felt for MK at Worlds in 1994, carrying all the pressure of the U.S. ladies program on her 13-year-old shoulders. (The fact that she handled it and skated as well as she did was one of the first indications that MK was special.)
I also agree with mpal that skaters who truly have that competitive spirit will want to skate at Worlds and have the opportunity to compete and win again.
As you can tell, I have strong feelings about this issue.