2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games | Jan 27 - Feb 1

[throw_triple_flip]

So I've caught up with it. The French ice dance team finally put it all together in competition with no massive errors holding them back. Brilliant. And as a Brit I was pleased for our team fighting back onto the podium(though I felt so bad for the Korean team).

I noticed there seemed to be bit of an internet hate campaign against the commentators and I'm a bit perplexed as to why. They weren't that bad. They already seem to struggle to get anyone to do commentary these days and if this is how some fans (over)react I can't see that changing.

 

[ladyjane]

I wouldn't call it a hate campaign exactly. Let's just say, there was a learning curve and the baby pairs had to cope with some very unkind comments which had us begging for Ted. They were better with the other disciplines, although it was pretty obvious they had no real links to the sport - alpine ski-ing and roller skating were their backgrounds. After a while they learned to keep quiet during the programmes, comment on elements during the slo-mo, and show some real compassion for the participants. They did make some mistakes, but I had no real problems with that.

 

[saine]

I noticed there seemed to be bit of an internet hate campaign against the commentators and I'm a bit perplexed as to why. They weren't that bad. They already seem to struggle to get anyone to do commentary these days and if this is how some fans (over)react I can't see that changing.

My issue with the commentary is how they're commenting on the skaters. There's been unnecessary commentary about height and body type.

Both talked about how 'skinny' one female skater was. There was also discussion about how one ice dance team had too much height difference while one pair team didn't have enough. One female pair partner had commentary that she would have to stop growing if she wanted to stay with her partner.

They're teenagers who are still growing in a sport where aesthetics come into play. There's going to be pressure on them to fit into a preferred body type when they haven't fully grown yet. I don't like the commentators contributing to that when the skaters don't have control over how they're growing.

 

[icewhite]

My issue with the commentary is how they're commenting on the skaters. There's been unnecessary commentary about height and body type.

Both talked about how 'skinny' one female skater was. There was also discussion about how one ice dance team had too much height difference while one pair team didn't have enough. One female pair partner had commentary that she would have to stop growing if she wanted to stay with her partner.

They're teenagers who are still growing in a sport where aesthetics come into play. There's going to be pressure on them to fit into a preferred body type when they haven't fully grown yet. I don't like the commentators contributing to that when the skaters don't have control over how they're growing.

I didn't listen to the commentary, but I have a few thoughts about it anyway.

First, I agree that you cannot commentate on teenagers like that, it is inappropriate.

Secondly, I wonder why it seems so hard to find good sports commentators - usually my impression is that it is just laziness from the bosses, nepotism, and casual fans being used to certain commentators, so guys stay for ages although there are definitely others who could do better. But in this case the commentator duo had very little reputation, so one wonders why they were picked in the first place. I always think there must be so many people out there who would be able to do a very decent job at this. Are they paid so terribly? I thought Savitsky was doing a good enough job when he was once commentating on his own in English (his English also seemed better than Petra's from the short clips I heard from her, but maybe that's just me being German). Surely it would be even better if he got a second person to talk to, best someone who's a native speaker. Many current skaters do probably not have the time right now, but there must be many recently retired ones who are willing to do the job - no? When everyone is eager to skate shows because it brings some money, I would think they would like to take such a job. Did Petra and Graham also commentate on other sports during these games? That would be the most likely explanation why they were picked, if they have some basic knowledge in several sports.

Thirdly, there might be a cultural aspect. While I agree that youth competitions need to be treated differently, and that certain comments about athlete's bodies are just unappropriate in any case, German commentators tend to be very judgemental, will focus on the faults and not gloss over anything. I'm sure many Germans don't like this either, but in general that's just the way we are. Sorry.

 

[midori green]

I didn't listen to the commentary, but I have a few thoughts about it anyway.

First, I agree that you cannot commentate on teenagers like that, it is inappropriate.

Secondly, I wonder why it seems so hard to find good sports commentators - usually my impression is that it is just laziness from the bosses, nepotism, and casual fans being used to certain commentators, so guys stay for ages although there are definitely others who could do better. But in this case the commentator duo had very little reputation, so one wonders why they were picked in the first place. I always think there must be so many people out there who would be able to do a very decent job at this. Are they paid so terribly? I thought Savitsky was doing a good enough job when he was once commentating on his own in English (his English also seemed better than Petra's from the short clips I heard from her, but maybe that's just me being German). Surely it would be even better if he got a second person to talk to, best someone who's a native speaker. Many current skaters do probably not have the time right now, but there must be many recently retired ones who are willing to do the job - no? When everyone is eager to skate shows because it brings some money, I would think they would like to take such a job. Did Petra and Graham also commentate on other sports during these games? That would be the most likely explanation why they were picked, if they have some basic knowledge in several sports.

Thirdly, there might be a cultural aspect. While I agree that youth competitions need to be treated differently, and that certain comments about athlete's bodies are just unappropriate in any case, German commentators tend to be very judgemental, will focus on the faults and not gloss over anything. I'm sure many Germans don't like this either, but in general that's just the way we are. Sorry.

What I noticed the most seems to fit your third point. During pairs short program, Petra's commentary seemed mostly that none of these pairs were very good at any of the elements. She seemed to be holding them to a much higher standard than the developmental stage they're currently in (especially given that the age restrictions for this event eliminated most teams who compete in the junior level). Slightly in her defense, only 3 elements in four short programs received positive GOE, but I was shocked her attitude wasn't more encouraging for these young, and very new, skaters. The long program commentary seemed better.

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

Mark Hanretty was directed to the application to apply for commentary on Twitter/X, so here's hoping we will have him at the next YOG!

 

[skatingguy]

Mark Hanretty was directed to the application to apply for commentary on Twitter/X, so here's hoping we will have him at the next YOG!

The scheduling with Dancing on Ice always seems like it's a problem.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Going to be in bed when this is on, so this is a placeholder.

Team Event starts in 6 hours from now.

Here is the link for the World Feed coverage on the Olympic Figure Skating YouTube Channel (starts in 5h 55m from now):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msf207kHwe0

Here is the link for the World Feed coverage on the Olympic Channel (starts in 5h 45m from now):
https://olympics.com/en/gangwon-202...ating-winter-youth-olympic-games-gangwon-2024

Here is the link for the World Feed coverage on Discovery+ UK (starts in 5h 55m from now):
https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/vi...port-sport/winter-youth-olympic-games-6027246

And here is the link for the World Feed coverage on the Eurosport website (starts in 5h 55m from now):
https://www.eurosport.com/figure-sk..._brdeurosport-e100271499c0ch20015/video.shtml

Here are the Time Schedules:
Free Dance - https://results.isu.org/results/sea...----------FNL-0004DC--_StartListwithTimes.pdf
Pairs FS - https://results.isu.org/results/sea...----------FNL-0003PR--_StartListwithTimes.pdf
Men's FS - https://results.isu.org/results/sea...----------FNL-0001MN--_StartListwithTimes.pdf
Ladies FS - https://results.isu.org/results/sea...----------FNL-0002LD--_StartListwithTimes.pdf

And here are the live scoring pages:
Free Dance - https://results.isu.org/results/season2324/wyog2024/SEG012.htm
Pairs FS - https://results.isu.org/results/season2324/wyog2024/SEG011.htm
Men's FS - https://results.isu.org/results/season2324/wyog2024/SEG009.htm
Ladies FS - https://results.isu.org/results/season2324/wyog2024/SEG010.htm

Hope this helps

ALL THE BEST EVERYBODY!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[icewhite]

Mark Hanretty was directed to the application to apply for commentary on Twitter/X, so here's hoping we will have him at the next YOG!

There must be more people out there able to commentate decently than just Mark Hanretty though.

 

[throw_triple_flip]

There must be more people out there able to commentate decently than just Mark Hanretty

Commentary is a skill. Not everyone will be good at it. Or be available to do it. Or want to. Look at the borderline forensic essays you see on here and the rest of the internet picking apart every single tiny thing they say (in that weirdly competitive way which seems to be the trend these days).
Why would any rational person bother?

 

[lileychristie]

Commentary is a skill. Not everyone will be good at it. Or be available to do it. Or want to. Look at the borderline forensic essays you see on here and the rest of the internet picking apart every single tiny thing they say (in that weirdly competitive way which seems to be the trend these days).
Why would any rational person bother?

A rational person won't make comments about kids' bodies, or anyone's bodies for the matter.

There are enough pressure in the sport to look certain ways without commentators broadcasting it to the entire world. I sincerely hope the skaters won't be listening to Petra's comments at all. Last thing I want is for these kids to develop body image issues or eating disorder. And the harm doesn't stop at just the athletes, imagine other kids and teenagers around the world listening to her commentary. There could be a tall girl somewhere now thinking "oh no I'm too tall to do pair skating or ice dance then".

If no one can't give commentary about skaters (especially junior skaters who are literal kids) without talking about their bodies then better no commentary at all.

 

[4everchan]

well.. it is starting

 

[saine]

Here for the team event and one last round of the baby ice dance

 

[moonvine]

A rational person won't make comments about kids' bodies, or anyone's bodies for the matter.

There are enough pressure in the sport to look certain ways without commentators broadcasting it to the entire world. I sincerely hope the skaters won't be listening to Petra's comments at all. Last thing I want is for these kids to develop body image issues or eating disorder. And the harm doesn't stop at just the athletes, imagine other kids and teenagers around the world listening to her commentary. There could be a tall girl somewhere now thinking "oh no I'm too tall to do pair skating or ice dance then".

If no one can't give commentary about skaters (especially junior skaters who are literal kids) without talking about their bodies then better no commentary at all.

I agree 10000%. And I like commentary, but not that kind. We are rife with ED already.

 

[moonvine]

Oh my God they are so cute. Going to be a long night, gotta pace myself.

 

[moonvine]

Anyone else can't hear the commentators over the music?

 

[4everchan]

Anyone else can't hear the commentators over the music?

unfortunately i can hear it all

 

[saine]

That's nice, Liu/Ge got to redo their free dance without the fall

 

[SubRosa]

Not sure the status of senior dance in China these days, but this team + the two that competed on the JGP have good potential for sure.

 

[saine]

Shame about the twizzles for Gans/Boutsan, hope to see more from them next season on the JGP!