The truth behind Patrick Chan's China crisis

Violet Bliss · Dec 22, 2011

skateluvr said:
I think damage control IS being done here and at fsu,

I see his fans refuting flaming of his words and creation of "China Gate" - what's a "gate", a national scandal? With real crimes covered up?

AS for me, I have nothing else to say about Patrick until he skates again.

Really?

I hope he skate, keeps his mouth shut and thrills us with his very good, very expensive he tells us, skating "package."

Ooh, I like hearing him talk. And watching him skate.

And I hope he earns the scores.

He always does, as all analyses show, despite all the contrary claims.

Personally, I think China gate has lost him corporate sponsors in Canada.

Which ones?

I'm thankful for the great skaters from Canada of the past. Maybe Patrick can emulate them more and their attitude of gratitude. See; Canada's best thread.

Canada's great, Kurt Browning, says Patrick Chan is the best male figure skater he's ever seen. And he's seen all the great one over the last few decades. Patrick Chan, on his part, says,

"First of all, Kurt doesn't remember what he says," Chan said with a laugh. "He may regret saying that. Maybe it's a good thing but I don't even think I'm at that point yet. As much as these guys tell me I'm at that point ... I could never compare myself to Kurt. I'm telling myself every day, that's what I'm working to. I'm still working on it, I'm still working for that point of being a showman, not just being a competitor. As much as people may tell me I'm one of the best, it's still not enough for me."

What a brat!

spikydurian · Jan 25, 2012

Poodlepal said:
I was not a big fan of Patrick before this article, but now that I know the truth, I've changed.

Imagine, the tough life this boy has. Let me list all of his problems:
*Once he won a competition, but he didn't break a world record because he fell too many times

*Cruel people question the system when he wins while falling, instead of just accepting that the judges know best and the point system is perfect.

*Nobody even says this to his face, but complain on the Internet, but hey, that's bad enough.

* He only has a sponsorship deal with McDonald's, and not every other multinational corporation

* His $130 a plate fundraiser wasn't diverse enough, lacking in White, Black, and Latino Canadians.

* He's forced to speak in a language he doesn't like, even though it's the language of the city he grew up in, IIRC.

* One of his family's two homes isn't very big.

My eyes are filling with tears. He reminds me of Rudy Galindo, who lost his entire support system to AIDS or heart attacks in a single year or so. Or Joannie or Angela, whose mothers died unexpectedly at skating events. Or Tonya or Nancy or Elizabeth Punsalan, who came from families with violent and crazy relatives (assuming Tonya was telling the truth, of course). Now we have the family whose second home isn't big enough. When will it end?

You are nasty. As it is, I am sure his comments were taken out of context. Journalists twisting and manipulating comments are common. The timing of the misquote was calculated to destabilise Patrick's performance. It is 'underhand' tactics. I was very happy when he won simply because it proved that he can stand pressure and refocus, a trait which is very important to be an excellent competitor, and I have no respect for people who manipulate facts to suit their agendas.

chuckm said:
The biggest hurdle for Nam Nguyen is having Joanne McLeod as a coach.

why?

Boeing787 said:
The parents have to sacrifice one way or the other: financially or emotionally. Which way is better is in the beholders' eyes.

As another poster has pointed out, talking sweet to media won't help Patrick much. Kim Yuna wouldn't be Queen Yuna if she were Canadian. Patrick is in the wrong country, period.

A KOrean friend told me that Yuna 'very rich' with lots of endorsements (he called her a millionaire). If I were in Patrick's shoes, I would also daydream about earning that level of endorsements so that it could pay for my training and future education without my aging parents spending every cent of the retirement savings so that I can have the best training. Patrick is very lucky. I would assume his parents are considered 'middle class' plus the fact that he is the only child, they can put aside all their savings for Patrick. If Patrick has come from a middle income family of 3-4 kids, he may not have the opportunity to realise his talents because his parents cannot give him everything and leave nothing to other children (and I am sure this is happening to many potential skaters). The flip side is looking after his parents will fall on only one shoulder, His. (filial piety). What is wrong with daydreaming? Patrick has now learned not to tell his 'day dreams' to journalists, I am sure. :biggrin:

mskater93 · Jan 25, 2012

spikydurian said:
why?

Because her skaters have consistently had Axel problems, basic skating skills problems, and a coach who blames it on the judges.

Boeing787 · Jan 25, 2012

But she is also the only coach whose students took 2nd, 3rd, and 7th spot in the nationals, right?

chuckm · Jan 25, 2012

Boeing787 said:
But she is also the only coach whose students took 2nd, 3rd, and 7th spot in the nationals, right?

And how many of her skaters have won World medals? None that I can think of. Oh, some of her students were hyped as potential medal contenders (Sandhu in particular), but never lived up to their potential.

Boeing787 · Jan 25, 2012

chuckm said:
And how many of her skaters have won World medals? None that I can think of. Oh, some of her students were hyped as potential medal contenders (Sandhu in particular), but never lived up to their potential.

maybe they don't have the potential? Kristy Krall didn't have any star students before Patrick Chan.

jettasian · Jan 25, 2012

mskater93 said:
Because her skaters have consistently had Axel problems, basic skating skills problems, and a coach who blames it on the judges.

Then why are skaters still flocking to her?

Violet Bliss · Jan 25, 2012

Basically all BC skaters are under Mcleod's tutelage, whether or not they are coached directly by her.

Sandhu was a huge talent who could have won Worlds but he had a lot of inner turmoils and was a headcase who could not put out two great programs in one competition. Much of his problems were attributed to his childhood and even to his being held back from major international competitions on account of his young age. Anyways, most people faulted him with his attitude and gave up on him. I can't say how much of his troubles could be blamed on Mcleod, whom he was close to. Then there was Mira Leung, touted as the Next One for the Ladies but somehow disappeared. Lots of rumours blamed her mother for meddling control. Again, was it all Mcleod's fault? I really don't know but she seems to have acquired a reputation of being unable to teach 3A and to somehow hold back her students from ultimate success.

Many young skaters can't afford to train elsewhere or even to consult specialists outside the province. (J10, e.g., lives with his parents to train, work, and attend college in BC.) Besides financial reasons, there is supposed to be some politics aka professional courtesy preventing such switches or outside help. Nam is very well grounded with very strong family support and has talents to perhaps attract more financial backing so I'd watch to see how he develops. I believe his parents will somehow do the best and whatever is necessary to ensure his success,

Poodlepal · Jan 25, 2012

spikydurian said:
You are nasty. As it is, I am sure his comments were taken out of context. Journalists twisting and manipulating comments are common. The timing of the misquote was calculated to destabilise Patrick's performance. It is 'underhand' tactics. I was very happy when he won simply because it proved that he can stand pressure and refocus, a trait which is very important to be an excellent competitor, and I have no respect for people who manipulate facts to suit their agendas.

Yeah, well you didn't read the original article. The article (by Beverly Smith) was out over a month ago--why you're dredging this up now, I don't know--and was extremely flattering to him. It was not meant to "destabilise" him, whatever that means, but to make excuses for him putting his foot in his mouth (not for the first time). Just like there is an excuse if he falls on his footwork (it's because he cares so much!), jumps into a wall, or does anything else wrong on the ice or off it. Everyone has to acknowledge that he is the best skater ever (even when he rarely skates a clean or clean-ish competition) AND feel sorry for him because he's not rich enough. Boo hoo.

The truth behind Patrick Chan's China crisis

Violet Bliss

spikydurian

mskater93

Boeing787

chuckm

Boeing787

jettasian

Match Penalty

Violet Bliss

Poodlepal

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