I think you're probably right. This is guy who didn't really expect to be the Olympics this year. First year on the senior circuit, not having a quad, etc. So when he made it, to him it was about the experience, the excitement of being there, not about his placement. Frankly, I think that was the right attitude in his case. As he continues to develop, I suspect he'll have many competitions where he'll have pressure to place well - perhaps even in four years at the next Olympics. He might as well enjoy the experience now.
2014 Olympics Mens Free Skate
- Thread starter ARipp42014
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I think you're probably right. This is guy who didn't really expect to be the Olympics this year. First year on the senior circuit, not having a quad, etc. So when he made it, to him it was about the experience, the excitement of being there, not about his placement. Frankly, I think that was the right attitude in his case. As he continues to develop, I suspect he'll have many competitions where he'll have pressure to place well - perhaps even in four years at the next Olympics. He might as well enjoy the experience now.
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- Jun 27, 2003
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- Jun 27, 2003
injury and getting "fired" by his coach. went on to college and was a math major... he also works with skating in harlem.
I kind of wish he'd start coaching a high-ranked Canadian skater so that he could help Canada finally get that gold he didn't get himself in 1988
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- Jun 27, 2003
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- Sep 12, 2013
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- Sep 12, 2013
I agree with all who have written about the unwatcheability of Kevin Reynolds. His posture, carriage, etc are abysmal. and he looks miserable while he skates. Does he ever smile? And this isn't even to get into his bizarre hair and dead eyes. Is he really the next Canadian champion?! Please tell me no.
If anyone can do it, it would be Brian.I don't think anyone can help Canada... except maybe a voodoo exorcist?
But honestly, when Patrick won Worlds last year, I thought "dang, now he's only going to get silver at the Olympics."
It's hard enough for any reigning world champion to win OGM in men's, but if it's a Canadian, there's a double curse.
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- Dec 25, 2012
To be fair, these were his first international comps this season. I think he did admirably to land any quads at all after having such a late start. I have enjoyed his past programs quite a bit...but these programs seem unfinished.
I think he will improve...I hope he will improve.
I think he will improve...I hope he will improve.
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- Jun 27, 2003
quite true
but I'm not sure Brian could be the one to do it... he couldn't shake the curse TWICE as a skater... and while he can coach another skater to gold (on Canadian soil and abroad) I'm not sure that the Canadian curse could be lifted by him. it'd be an interesting experiment though...
perhaps, too, a Canadian Mens Olympic Champion is a sign of the apocalypse and the return of Christ is still a ways off?
but I'm not sure Brian could be the one to do it... he couldn't shake the curse TWICE as a skater... and while he can coach another skater to gold (on Canadian soil and abroad) I'm not sure that the Canadian curse could be lifted by him.
it'd be an interesting experiment though...perhaps, too, a Canadian Mens Olympic Champion is a sign of the apocalypse and the return of Christ is still a ways off?
At least in '84 he didn't go in s reigning world champion. That part was less of a curse.quite true
but I'm not sure Brian could be the one to do it... he couldn't shake the curse TWICE as a skater... and while he can coach another skater to gold (on Canadian soil and abroad) I'm not sure that the Canadian curse could be lifted by him.
perhaps, too, a Canadian Mens Olympic Champion is a sign of the apocalypse and the return of Christ is still a ways off?
But you have a point about that apocalypse thing. It'd be an interesting experiment though
I think one of the reasons that American casual fans have had such a hard time warming up to the IJS is because the commentators don't understand it and haven't properly explained it. Canadian commentators did a much better job of that right from day one, and most people I know prefer the new system as a result.
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- Jan 17, 2014
As always, love your posts, Mrs. P! You always manage to put into words what I want to say about Jason. I'll also add what Kurt Browning said, about Jason having that innocent childlike quality of wanting to please an audience and show off a routine that he's proud of. To me, that's what makes his programs so magical even with all the mistakes.
The thing is, Jason seemed distracted (in a fun, relaxed way) on the day of his short program too. There are clips of him dancing and joking around with people just moments before he went on the ice. And yet he still managed that near perfect performance!
The thing is, Jason seemed distracted (in a fun, relaxed way) on the day of his short program too. There are clips of him dancing and joking around with people just moments before he went on the ice. And yet he still managed that near perfect performance!
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- Nov 24, 2006
Yes. And since what this is the 10th (?) year of the current system it is unforgiveable for Scott and Sandra to be so ignorant. If they are being paid to commentate (actually I think Scottie is just being paid because he's loud and does not offer anything of substance) they need to know what they are talking about. Sandra admits that she is not totally up on the rules, hence her no longer choreographing competitors. Tara and Johnny at least can talk about the system in detail and not just generalize it as this confusing monolith. When the commentators don't seem to understand they system, how is joe-average fan ever going to or even care to try?
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- Sep 12, 2013
I thought this bit from an ESPN.com article celebrating Jeremy's press conference remarks today was worth putting up. It puts Jeremy's comments in context and includes more of them. In another article, I read that he delivered these comments without anger in his tone but with some humor. I actually think his points are extremely well-taken and that his comments as as whole end up supporting other athletes who may not shine as brightly on the Olympic stage but have still had triumphs- I'm thinking of skaters like Adam Rippon (silver at Nationals), Kurt Browning (no Olympic medals), and even Todd Eldredge, who failed to medal in 3 Olympics despite being a gold medal contender at one and a podium contender at the other 2. It isn't about denying that he has issues with international competition at all. It's about not judging harshly when you haven't stood in the person's shoes. It's about changing our criteria for what constitutes victory and value. and I actually agree with him!
"So when a reporter asked Abbott after Friday's free program whether there is any validity to the view that he always chokes on the biggest stage, the four-time U.S. national champion did not slip or fall. Abbott instead delivered a gold-medal response we all should keep in mind before judging athletes who compete on ice.
"I would just want to put my middle finger in the air and say a big F-you to everyone who has ever said that to me," Abbott said. "Because they have never stood in my shoes. They have never had to do what I have to do. Nobody has to stand center ice in front of a million people and put an entire career on the line for eight minutes of their life when they've been doing it for 20-some years. And if you think that's not hard then you're a damn idiot.
"Some people can handle it better than others, but everyone has that mental struggle and goes through the same doubts and same things. I'm not alone. Everyone has their highs and their lows, they just come at different moments. Some people have their moment at the Olympics and some people have it at the national championships. And it's always different and everyone's career is different.
"I'm proud to be standing here. I'm a four-time national champion. I'm a two-time Olympian and no one can take that away from me. And so, whatever people have to say about me, that's their own problem. Because I'm frickin' proud of what I've done and I'm not going to apologize for anything."
"So when a reporter asked Abbott after Friday's free program whether there is any validity to the view that he always chokes on the biggest stage, the four-time U.S. national champion did not slip or fall. Abbott instead delivered a gold-medal response we all should keep in mind before judging athletes who compete on ice.
"I would just want to put my middle finger in the air and say a big F-you to everyone who has ever said that to me," Abbott said. "Because they have never stood in my shoes. They have never had to do what I have to do. Nobody has to stand center ice in front of a million people and put an entire career on the line for eight minutes of their life when they've been doing it for 20-some years. And if you think that's not hard then you're a damn idiot.
"Some people can handle it better than others, but everyone has that mental struggle and goes through the same doubts and same things. I'm not alone. Everyone has their highs and their lows, they just come at different moments. Some people have their moment at the Olympics and some people have it at the national championships. And it's always different and everyone's career is different.
"I'm proud to be standing here. I'm a four-time national champion. I'm a two-time Olympian and no one can take that away from me. And so, whatever people have to say about me, that's their own problem. Because I'm frickin' proud of what I've done and I'm not going to apologize for anything."
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- Apr 15, 2013
Not only is joe average not going to understand it or even try, but they're going to think "Heck, if even the experts can't understand it, it must be really awful and make no sense"
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