Final 3 ladies (amongst others) were just stunning to watch. I have never been a fan of Osmond, but I’ve loved her programmes in this competition and entirely think that bronze was hers to claim.
My heart is still so torn
Neither of our Russian girls did anything wrong and to come out with the same score in the free was (for me) the best outcome. Actually it demonstrates that artistry and technical ability in the long are both important. It just came down to a short programme. It’s the continual battle between art and sport, and we can’t disregard the technical side if we still want skating to be considered a sport. But I hope to see far more skaters following in the artistic shoes of Kostner and Medvedeva because whilst the jumps make us cheer or groan, it’s the artistry that makes us fall in love with the sport.
Medvedeva was stunning and had me in tears - I’ve never seen her react like that. I can’t wait to see what she brings to the table next and hopefully she can push her technical because she is one of the few skaters who has the artistic ability to allow her to do that without ruining her programmes. There is more to life and skating than an OGM, and how many people can say they are an OSM?!
Zagitova did so well - whilst she lacks the maturity and performance, all the same technical skills are there. Her footwork is L4, her spins are stunning, it’s just needs greater refinement. I think that that type of jumping ability should be rewarded because it’s as much a skill as fast spins or clean footwork. She won’t be able to do it forever, and for the moment what she lacks in artistry, she can make up in technique. Handling that pressure as a 15yo really takes guts. I hope that her performance ability can improve now, but I’d expect that to as she gets older.
In my heart, I wanted Medvedeva to win, but in December, none of us were even sure she would or could compete. She’s had such a rough season and to have the mental stamina to deliver two skates like that absolutely blows my mind. That silver medal shouldn’t just represent Med’s skating today, but her entire season where she battled on through hell and high water to be at these games and she did not disappoint a single person. We don’t know where the sport is going to go next, but I certainly hope that she is there pushing the field, as she’s always done. I still can’t say who I thought should have won, but I strongly believe that neither girl lost, whatever the medal colour.
All three ladies were a pleasure to watch and to end the Olympics with a competition like that was marvellous. Please remember whatever you’re posting online, they’re only youngsters, they aren’t responsible for scoring, and they all did a fantastic job at the end of the day.
{p.s. rumour is that Medvedeva has already said she’s looking to the next Olympics?}
