Well the point was that the media are trying to hype her up as a potential medal contender, by comparing her to Simone Biles, when that's not really the case. But casual watchers are not going to know any better and will buy into the hype.
One thing I don't understand. Why Russian girls can handle pressure and skate so well at competition? Anna fell at SP (4th) but she bounced back and placed second at European Championship. Kamila/Sasha/Anna receive way more media coverage, media attention, and pressure than Alysa. Eteri girls handle pressure very well. Look at their jaw dropping GP results. Media attention/pressure have no effect on Eteri girls at all. Do they have better sport psychology access and mental training than American skaters?
Thank you.
Its a little different...pressure on Alysa to medal at the Olympics when its almost impossible for her to do so vs pressure on the Russians to medal when its almost impossible for them NOT to do so. Pressure on Alysa to podium with 3 triple axels, something she hasnt done in many years vs pressure on the Russians to podium with less than 3 falls each.
Actually, Russia isn't nearly as big on sports psychologists as the US I don't think. If I had to guess, it's confidence in training. My understanding of the Eteri training method is repetition, repetition, repetition, so that in competition, your jumps are all very secure. Also, what they do in practice is probably far harder than actual competition, which makes things easier. The rink is also very high-pressure and competitive, which probably works in their favour at competitions.
This is a really good question. When I danced in Russia, I loved the discipline. We always did full runs of our dances and by the time we were in front of an audience, or judges, we were more excited than nervous. I think the US skaters are beginning to feel the same way. After seeing the success that Isabeau is having, I think we'll be seeing this happen more often
The American media will make it seem as if she has a chance. There are a lot of people who are once every 4 year watchers (as I am with many winter sports myself). They hyped plenty of athletes last time who didn’t win medals and some who did (Chloe Kim).
Ahh icic! That's so silly!!!
That was smart of you. It would never occur to me to do that for say, bobsled.
Its weird tho, I mean theyre not pretending clean C/L are podium contenders are they?
They probably will have Alexa and Brandon as podium contenders. They made a huge deal over Chris and Alexa last time, though I don’t think they went as far as to make them medal contenders.
She won't lose her spot on the team event if that is what you mean. She will or should be ranked the #1 US ladies skater and will get to choose which segments she wants to skate in the team event.
The media (NBC) hasn't been hyping Alysa at all. They are mega-hyping Nathan Chen and mentioning only Mariah and Karen.
