New Johnny Weir Journal -2/10

[decker]

First, I liked this entry. It cleared up some things and gave the insider's view on some things and moved upward and onward toward Tokyo. Good read.

I heard Kimmie was told she had to do 4CCs or she couldn't do the SOI performance she had scheduled. It may be a matter of not wanting to appear to play favorites.

I happen to think there's a difference between celebrating the life of an "elderstatesman" in the sport versus making a standard-issue paid appearance. But it would probably cause a lot of issues if the federation tried to make that distinction.

Susan

 

[Mathman]

Johnny says,

I am supposed to be doing a show in Russia next week, but I am still unclear about going or not. I didn't compete in the Four Continents Championships so my federation thought I shouldn't go to Moscow to perform in a show. I am still unclear about everything, but I know everyone is trying to reach common ground, Russia, USA, myself and all my peeps.

I think this shows that they are still trying to work out the details of exactly what the policy is or should be.

Two years ago the ISU sent out a threatening letter after Plushenko withdrew from a grand prix event but wanted to skate in an exhibition scheduled for the same day. The only problem is, the ISU cannot threaten Plushenko (or Kwan, Cohen, etc.) because none of these skaters is a member of the ISU.

So instead Cinquanta could only threaten the national federations, expecting them in turn to make the skater's from their countries behave themselves. But then again, it's not clear exactly what the ISU can threaten Piseev, or USFS, with.

So I think Johnny is right. Everybody's "peeps" are still searching for "common ground." Johnny was not going to do Four Continents anyway. What possible reason would USFS have for wanting him to do, or not to do, an exhibition skate in Russia?

 

[Zanzibar]

Johnny was not going to do Four Continents anyway. What possible reason would USFS have for wanting him to do, or not to do, an exhibition skate in Russia?

Basically, if you're an eligible skater and you skip an international competition that your Federation would like you to skate in, they can refuse to let you skate during that surrounding time period of the eligible season in what they deem to be 'shows'. I'd say the reason is all about control, and to some extent fairness. They want to control all the skaters, to be fair.

 

[Hsuhs]

I think, Johnny really wanted to participate in the show. I think, however, he's been a bit naive to think his federation will be on his side in times of trouble.

 

[SeaniBu]

I think, Johnny really wanted to participate in the show. I think, however, he's been a bit naive to think his federation will be on his side in times of trouble.

:agree: ITA!

COULD that be - COULD??? - because the federation does not feel Johnny is behind them????? This COULD be any number of reasons, from not feeling he was serious for around a year now to advertising his love for other federations.????? I am not trying to suck up to the fed at all! But often wonder how much of destiny is self controled - and how people often just "blame the establishment" out of habbit.

Don't forget I like Johnny! And he might have good reason for not backing them???

 

[attyfan]

Basically, if you're an eligible skater and you skip an international competition that your Federation would like you to skate in, they can refuse to let you skate during that surrounding time period of the eligible season in what they deem to be 'shows'. I'd say the reason is all about control, and to some extent fairness. They want to control all the skaters, to be fair.

Well, they seemed to be exercising that control over Kimmie, Emily and B/A (who are all doing SOI dates), so it is only fair to exercise it over Johnny.

 

[Tonichelle]

Well, they seemed to be exercising that control over Kimmie, Emily and B/A (who are all doing SOI dates), so it is only fair to exercise it over Johnny.

exactly

 

[sk8addict]

I love this guy. No skater ever sounds as honest and open as he does. Go, Johnny!

I have to agree!! He is the best communicator in skating history.
Wish he would give up fur and get more involved in global warming.

 

[sk8addict]

a lot of my friends are Johnny's age and they're parents...

but yeah that through me for a loop for about half a second too lol

Not to change the subject BUT how does Tonichelle get these pictures up on her posts when we don't even have avatars? I want to do it too!!

 

[Tonichelle]

it's a siggy banner. I make them, host them on photobucket, and then put them in my signature with an image tag...

 

[Zanzibar]

Well, they seemed to be exercising that control over Kimmie, Emily and B/A (who are all doing SOI dates), so it is only fair to exercise it over Johnny.

That's what I said. That they want to control all the skaters.

 

[sk8addict]

I dunno, it makes sense to me... though really all three of the US guys who went to 4CC did just fine without him... but at the same time, if he's too tired and not training like he wants to be, then I can see the USFSA's reasoning behind not wanting him to take more time and get even further jet lagged for a show in Russia.

Don't you think maybe the federation is blaming Johnnys poor season on him being in Russia all year?

 

[Tonichelle]

maybe so... and I don't see anything wrong with that logic... *shrugs*

 

[Jaana]

I think, Johnny really wanted to participate in the show. I think, however, he's been a bit naive to think his federation will be on his side in times of trouble.

Well, they seemed to be exercising that control over Kimmie, Emily and B/A (who are all doing SOI dates), so it is only fair to exercise it over Johnny.

Weir was already doing a fashion show instead of participating in Four Continents. Fair is fair, the same rules must apply to Weir as to other US skaters.

About Weir´s Journal, that is always such a pleasure to read his writings. The thought has though come into my mind, that maybe it would be better for his skating if he would not be such a fluent writer, hmm... Besides, Weir always sounds so competitive on paper, and that applies to his short programmes. Freeskates are though a totally different matter in big international competitions.

ISo sorry he couldn't perform in Moscow, he wanted to be there and I wanted to see him so badly Just why the federation didn't let him go, it was not a simple show, it was Tarasova's birthday, and she did something for American figure skating too! They could show a little more respect to her.

Could you though write your opinions about the skating in the Tarasova show, please? I think that no review has been posted on this forum so far?

 

[krenseby]

re:

...But we all know that it's INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS that really make your reputation, unfortunately. (Sarah Meier was Swiss national champion FIVE times.) :yes: I didn't even know who she was until this year. Hopefully, Johnny can get those international judges in his corner with some good results.

It's not as clear cut as that. The American nationals do matter more than some others because America has historically had its male skaters make the podium. It's like the Japanese Nationals. They really do matter, because the Japanese ladies are so dominant on the World stage. The US men have never been that dominant, but many have medaled. Think about Tim Goebel who medaled once at the Olympics and twice at Worlds. So, Johnny Weir's US Champion titles have certainly made his noteworthy because he seemed to have the potential to medal just like the previous top skaters in the US have done before him. It's true, however, that he has not fulfilled his potential. But that's another issue altogether.

 

[Eeyora]

That was a good read. It came straight from Johnny's heart.

 

[Snowgirl]

Jaana the show WAS great. Outstanding skaters, amazing performances... some organizational issues took place, but it couldn't ruin the impression!
It is difficult to describe programs since I don't know all music. But all performances were so passionate! Kulik was awesome and Yagudin was incredible, Petrova and Tikhonov were tender (they have a new exhibition number, to Hurt by Aguilera.. made me think about Johnny once more) and Totmianina-Marinin were so lyric... Domnina-Shabalin danced a Tango accompanied by a live orchestra and Khokhlova-Novitskij turned to gypsies performing to "Ochi chernye" (instead of Kohen There was a spectacular moment when Petrova-Tikhonov and Leonova-Khvalko performed pair elements in parallel, and they made a kind of "double death spiral" that was funny!
And there was an outstanding mini-show when Yagudin performed with an actor Marat Basharov (who is the winner of Skate with Stars project), so Marat was dressed as Tatiana Tarasova and teached Lesha how to skate, and then Lesha showed us his unforgettable "Winter".... I just have no words to describe it!!!
All I could say was "Amazing! Outstanding! Great!!!" I wasn't able to comment it properly even in Russian!
There were air gymnasts, ice ballet, synchro skating as well. Bestemianova-Bukin. Navka-Kostomarov, Drobiasko-Vanagas, Delobel-Shoenfelder, Klimkin, Griazev performed too and they were nice to watch
I enjoyed the show so much! Soooo sorry Johnny wasn't here... it would have been such a pleasure for him and for us too...

 

[soniathepoet]

That's what I said. That they want to control all the skaters.

I agree,i think they just want to control him and all of them.

 

[Mathman]

Thanks for the wonderful reiview, Snowgirl! :agree:

 

[seafoam]

Don't you think maybe the federation is blaming Johnnys poor season on him being in Russia all year?

:scratch: He was in Russia for Cup of Russia and the GPF. Which he was sent to by the Federation. It would be a little strange for them to complain about it, since it was their doing.

And he didn't turn down 4CC to do the fashion show, although, granted, it might look like it. He (and Priscilla Hill) had already decided it was not in his best interest to go. He has only gone to 4CC once, in 2002, when he wasn't on the team for Worlds.