2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating | Page 85 | Golden Skate

2017-18 State of U.S. Ladies Skating

I don't have a problem with it. It's how nearly all major non-profits are funded. Through corporate donations. They don't have a say in what's done with the federation. But I thinks it's important that the USOC is free from government funds. Being under threat of being cut off by congress could potentially destroy Team USA.

You could make the argument that given the success that the U.S. has had in the last few Summer (particularly) and Winter Olympics, that government funding isn't needed, anyway. ;)

Plus, I can't imagine the corruption that would happen. Besides, the American culture is such that I can't imagine what the reaction would be if a figure skater did some perceived tacky/offensive program and their training was funded by any tax dollars. It would be :mad:, :devil:, and :angry1:.
 
I think USOC is mostly funded by corporate sponsors. It's why Coke and McDonalds start promoting the olympics and athletes every two years.

Doesn't McDonald's always have a restaurant in the Olympic Village?

Although McDonald's just ended its Olympic sponsorship three years early, for many years both it and Coca-Cola were top-level sponsors not of the US Olympic team, but of the Olympics themselves: the IOC. Coca-Cola still is a top-level Olympic sponsor. USOC sponsors include a number of food brands not known for being super-healthy: Hershey (chocolate), Kellogg (sugary cereals, crackers, cookies, potato chips), Nabisco (cookies, candy, crackers, chocolate), Smucker's (jam, peanut butter, baking mixes, baked goods).

It's a common criticism of these sponsorships that they use the Olympics to sell junk food, and it's not limited to the US; I remember French television making the same point during the 2008 Olympics (and I'm sure that wasn't the only time; that was just when I happened to be watching). See, for example, this story from CNBC (owned by the Olympic broadcaster NBC):

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/16/mcdonalds-ends-olympics-sponsorship-deal-early.html
 
Probably... and it's not like the athletes are going to eat those chemicals! They're going to eat real food :biggrin:

Exactly. It makes as much sense as Lebron James being in Sprite's Super Bowl this year. :scratch3:

Although McDonald's just ended its Olympic sponsorship three years early, for many years both it and Coca-Cola were top-level sponsors not of the US Olympic team, but of the Olympics themselves: the IOC. Coca-Cola still is a top-level Olympic sponsor. USOC sponsors include a number of food brands not known for being super-healthy: Hershey (chocolate), Kellogg (sugary cereals, crackers, cookies, potato chips), Nabisco (cookies, candy, crackers, chocolate), Smucker's (jam, peanut butter, baking mixes, baked goods).

That's because they want to sell to Olympic Games watchers. ;)
 
Probably... and it's not like the athletes are going to eat those chemicals! They're going to eat real food :biggrin:

Oh, in the contrary, many of the Olympic athletes eat at McDs...
Here's a link to a story about McDonalds, athletes and Rio:
https://www.google.com/amp/www.newsweek.com/rio-olympics-athletes-eating-mcdonalds-490813?amp=1

And one from 2014 that talks about athlete's high calorie diets, junk/fast food, including McDonalds, and Sochi Olympians.
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4723915

I was shocked too when I first saw the story. Michael Phelps ate like 5 egg McMuffins, 10 pankaces and sausage, or something crazy like that. I did not see any artistic athletes (gymnasts, skaters) featured, so I doubt you'd see Ashley or Adam chowing down 5 Big Macs, but that would be funny to watch.😝
 
I understand no Gracie given her stepping away briefly, but it would be nice if they invited Max and Vincent, perhaps more - even if they needed a second panel. But, I think it was only A Envelope.

Vincent was invited to the USOC media summit.

He was in the group of Team USA skaters who were scheduled for and took part in roundtable sessions on Tuesday.


And let's look back again at some of those included and not included in 2013 USOC media summit for Sochi hopefuls:

Included: Max Aaron; Agnes Zawadzki; Denney/Coughlin.

Not included: Jason Brown; Polina Edmunds; Felicia Zhang/Nate Bartholomay; Madi Chock/Evan Bates.​

The USOC media summit is a great opportunity for those involved.
But it does not guarantee an Olympic slot.

And not being involved does not mean that making the Olympic team is unthinkable.
 
I don't have a problem with it. It's how nearly all major non-profits are funded. Through corporate donations. They don't have a say in what's done with the federation. But I thinks it's important that the USOC is free from government funds. Being under threat of being cut off by congress could potentially destroy Team USA.
Why would any legislature in the world cut off funding for one of the most effective and powerful promotions of healthy way of life, peace, fairness, teamwork, personal perseverance and excellence amongst children and youth? :shrug:
 
Why would any legislature in the world cut off funding for one of the most effective and powerful promotions of healthy way of life, peace, fairness, teamwork, personal perseverance and excellence amongst children and youth? :shrug:

Because our elected officials are allowed to receive thousands of $ in campaign contributions from large corporations who sell unhealthy food and drink. And most of them just care about being re-elected and not about the health of the people. Sad, but true.
 
Why would any legislature in the world cut off funding for one of the most effective and powerful promotions of healthy way of life, peace, fairness, teamwork, personal perseverance and excellence amongst children and youth? :shrug:

I doubt the government sees spending like this at all. More like, why should they spend on Skating since we don't win and no one watches it anymore. Let's transfer that money to sports we can win in.

Politics are cynical. Many noble causes have met the knife. At least this way figure skating can grow on its own terms, rather than at the hands of bureaucrats.
 
So about those U.S. Ladies? :)

No ladies at Nebelhorn, but we'll get to see Kaitlin Nguyen in her second JGP event this week! Hoooray!
 
Also Karen is competing an a club competition this weekend. No video, of course. However, after the two times she won it she had her best seasons. So good luck, Karen!
 
Probably... and it's not like the athletes are going to eat those chemicals! They're going to eat real food :biggrin:

Vincent was invited to the USOC media summit.

He was in the group of Team USA skaters who were scheduled for and took part in roundtable sessions on Tuesday.


And let's look back again at some of those included and not included in 2013 USOC media summit for Sochi hopefuls:

Included: Max Aaron; Agnes Zawadzki; Denney/Coughlin.

Not included: Jason Brown; Polina Edmunds; Felicia Zhang/Nate Bartholomay; Madi Chock/Evan Bates.​

The USOC media summit is a great opportunity for those involved.
But it does not guarantee an Olympic slot.

"And not being involved does not mean that making the Olympic team is unthinkable."
--

I'm glad to hear Vincent was invited! I completely missed that there was a second panel, so thank you for sharing. I look forward to watching.
 
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I'm glad to hear Vincent was invited! I completely missed that there was a second panel, so thank you for sharing. I look forward to watching.

Vincent and other Tuesday skaters were seen/heard in various social media posts scattered among their own and other accounts -- stuff from their roundtable sessions and other activities.

And the Tuesday skaters (including Vincent) are discussed in this IN article:

A presser that was live streamed (and archived) did not take place on Tuesday. (Took place only on Monday.)


Looks like Mirai is sponsored by Milk Life.
https://milklife.com/teamusa#mirai-nagasu

Thanks :). Happy for Mirai.

And I see that Hannah Miller also is on Team Milk.
 
Also Karen is competing an a club competition this weekend. No video, of course. However, after the two times she won it she had her best seasons. So good luck, Karen!

Good for Karen! Her work ethic so far this season is fantastic, I hope it serves her well as we get closer to the Olympics!
 
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