2026 Olympics: Gala Exhibition

[cocteautwin]

Also, let me stomp my feet a bit on Sui/Han not getting invited, and be the rabid fan that I am and say they had the best gala here. I don't even know what it is, I just know that's true.

Sui/Han rejected all gala invitations this season. My assupmtion is that they focused solely on competition programs and didn't prepare any gala number for this season (not even recycled one). Also, she is very injured and competed on pain killing injections so there is no point to make them skate in this condition.

 

[niks]

I would personally take your first sentence and substitute "Russia" for "Eteri".

Oh no, this is not about "Russia", otherwise Petr would also be there: same results as Adelia, and the organizers went even deeper down in the results lists to "recover" Illia and Daniel, but still bypassed Petr (and also Gogolev btw despite him having an extraordinary Olympics and coming from a big figure skating country such as Canada). No, this is "Eteri"

 

[TontoK]

People take the gala so seriously. I don't, although I admit I'm more interested this time around than usual.

I'm still not sure who exactly determines the skaters invited to the gala. And what do the skaters get out of it other than one more chance to perform? Are they paid for the gala performances? I guess I wonder if fans care more about the gala than the skaters do? I admit it's exposure, perhaps pitching potential programs for shows, but do any of them agonize like the fans do?

 

[CoyoteChris]

People take the gala so seriously. I don't, although I admit I'm more interested this time around than usual.

I'm still not sure who exactly determines the skaters invited to the gala. And what do the skaters get out of it other than one more chance to perform? Are they paid for the gala performances? I guess I wonder if fans care more about the gala than the skaters do? I admit it's exposure, perhaps pitching potential programs for shows, but do any of them agonize like the fans do?

In other events, the winning skaters are required if asked to skate in the gala, unless sick or injured. Don't know about olys.
I dont know about pay but I suspect not. When Mirai Nagasu wanted to skate in Sun Valley for bucks, she had to submit a form to the USFS and they would get a piece of the action in return.
The non transparancy as to who gets picked and who does not or who would like to be excused only leads to more distrust of the whole ISU/IOC system. If Mone is sick, injured, and has other extenuating circumstances, she should be allowed to let her fans know or her Fed. should be allowed to say so. If she is snubbed, she should be allowed to say so.
The rumor is the home country is allowed two fav. sons/daughters over the normal picking meathod. Dont know if that is true or not but it should be out there and transparent.
I dont believe for a minute that J and T don't know the truth in these matters. Whether or not NBC allows them to tell the truth is another matter.
Or the IOC/ISU allows people to talk about it.
I bet Christine Brennen knows the truth and love her or hate her, I would like her to do a piece on this.
Yes, I know after being a fan for 50 years that the gala is a money making event separate from the main event itself. Sometimes with different sponsors. No one is forced to go to a gala. I bet I have sold but mostly just given away a dozen gala tickets. But many people love them and that is fine. Hey, its an ice show. But I believe at the Olys there should be transparancy.

 

[CoyoteChris]

To be fair, IOC is pretty vocal about wanting to let russians back in. It's the ISU that stands its ground on keeping the ban (and honestly I respect them very much for that). So it might not be the case of backstage deals and such this time.

Whistle blower wins his case

Former skating judge is victorious in protracted fight with skating association

www.theglobeandmail.com

As low as $3 used on the net

 

[ruffledgrouse]

Looks like there's no venue feed for the gala. Do we know of any commentary free streams? Commentary is fine for a competition when we're trying to keep track of points, but just steps all over a showpiece

 

[CoyoteChris]

Full Gala line up

https://wmr-static-assets.scd.dgplatform.net/wmr/static/_PDF/OWG2026/FSK/2026-02-20/FSK-------------------------------__C51F_1.0.pdf

other than the invited skaters listed above there will be
Carolina doing the opening number
Host Country Team doing a group number to open second segment
Team USA doing a group number to open third segment

Thanks! I have no idea what the tickets cost and I understand why it is nice to represent as many countries who competed as possible. How hard would it have been to give China's Zhang and Mone a place in the sun? The crowd loved them both.

 

[lariko]

Daniel, Charlene/Marco, Sara/Niccolo they are in the Team Italy number but also in individual numbers, that's why I was hoping for Lara to have an individual exhibition too! Well, it is what it is, the host is allowed to invite whoever he wants!

Yes, but they also invited Carolina Costner, which duplicates an Italian woman singles slot. Pairs, men and dance do not have this double entry.

 

[CoyoteChris]

Looks like there's no venue feed for the gala. Do we know of any commentary free streams? Commentary is fine for a competition when we're trying to keep track of points, but just steps all over a showpiece

IMHO even Crackers keeps quiet during the actual Gala skates.

 

[CoyoteChris]

It would appear that if in the USA you cant get the USA Channel, NBC new york channel 501, or Peacock, you have to use another country's feed.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

It's only 2 hours since I finally watched the final group of the Ladies FS and got surprised with the results, but already it is time to get back on the ice. Now that the serious stuff is over, it's time for some entertaining.

Livestream for the Gala Exhibition is now on air.

Here is the link for the World Feed coverage on the IOC YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vse3GVVazBg

The BBC don't tell us what they will be showing on each channel, or if it will include the skating. So I will hedge my bets and provide links to both broadcasts.

Here is the link for the BBC2 coverage on the iPlayer:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002rw9l

Here is the link for the BBC Red Button coverage on the iPlayer:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m002s064

Here is the link for the "No Advert" coverage on Discovery+ UK:
https://play.discoveryplus.com/sport/olympic/956f32de-7f82-5acc-ad56-bbb23b6d9558

Here is the link to the TNT Sports 4 coverage on Discovery+ UK:
https://play.discoveryplus.com/sport/olympic/8f69512d-98e7-5fcf-9b08-6db07fa3a4c6

There is no UHD coverage tonight due to TNT Sports Ultimate showing the Manchester United v Newcastle United football match.

All the other information you may need is in the OP of this thread.

ALL THE BEST EVERYBODY!!!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[ruffledgrouse]

I got my chicken sandwich, my strawberries and cream, and my hot chocolate with bailey's and frangelico all ready to go!

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Tiffany Zahorski interviewing Carolina Kostner.

Don't hold her up, Tiff! Caro's first to skate!

(Don't worry, it was obviously pre-recorded. As shown by the fact that the arena is empty!)

CaroLiza_fan

 

[NanaPat]

People take the gala so seriously. I don't, although I admit I'm more interested this time around than usual.

I'm still not sure who exactly determines the skaters invited to the gala. And what do the skaters get out of it other than one more chance to perform? Are they paid for the gala performances? I guess I wonder if fans care more about the gala than the skaters do? I admit it's exposure, perhaps pitching potential programs for shows, but do any of them agonize like the fans do?

I believe some skaters (the medalists?) have to do the gala or pay a penalty. Their gala pay is included in their prize money. Lower-ranked skaters get paid extra for doing the gala.

 

[CoyoteChris]

I hope those are not empty seats!

 

[Rikku]

Caro

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

The Lovely Miss Marchei doing the introduction from the stairs.

I'm so not ready for Caro's goodbye.

I'm already welling up, and she's not even started yet!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[ruffledgrouse]

No commentary on CBC!

...oh, nevermind.

 

[NanaPat]

CBC GEM seems to be commentator free. VPN to Canada required.

-----------
as @ruffledgrouse sys, oops. But so far it's just Brenda saying the skater's name.

 

[Placebo11]

So many empty seats....

And I'm so mad that Mone Chiba wasn't invited.