Did Tonya Harding really ‘destroy’ figure skating?

[noskates]

Well I'll just say this - Kurt didn't need triple axels to best the younger skaters. Check out his Rag-a-din or Singin' In The Rain or Brickhouse. He was an entertainer and people wanted to be entertained. I attended many of the pro shows and competitions and some of the 'retired' skaters were just phoning it in. They'd throw together a program, put on a silly costume and expect everyone to enjoy it. Add to that the ever increasing ticket costs (and Ticketmaster's so-called handling fees) and the average family with 2 kids couldn't afford to go to these shows. Then the snowball effect of fewer and fewer cities making it difficult for people living outside of metropolitan areas to travel to the shows....There were a lot of reasons why they went by the wayside. It was very heartening to me to attend SOI in St. Louis this past week and see the arena very nearly full. I think there were more people for SOI than attended most of the National events at the same arena in January. The effect of having champions that interest people and then getting the chance to see them again in person was evident.

 

[RobinA]

I disagree that Tonya Harding destroyed figure skating. It was clear during the Harding-inspired boom years that they were killing the goose that laid the golden egg by trying to get every dollar out of it they could. Prices went through the roof, both for fun events and competitions. They started taking fans for granted. Zillions of pro events that became meaningless. I very much miss World Pros. That's where great skaters like Boitano and Browning did some really fantastic programs that would not have been right for competition, but showcased what figure skating could be with great skating and creativity.

 

[ladyjane]

Thank you @Mathman for the Gary Beacom clips. always such fun, no good jumps to speak of. Just excellent control of the blade, the edges and his body, I'm the Man!

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

When Scott gave that interview, over 20 years had elapsed since the Kerrigan attack. Fans who are 30 now weren't even born when that happened. The governing bodies should focus more on athletes' mental health, integrity of the judging, and making the sport more accessible to a wider variety of audiences and participants, rather than dwell on an event from the mid 1990s that has probably has zero impact on skating's popularity today.

 

[Skater Boy]

I am not sure we can say skating is dead. ut the popularity of skating or interest during the Harding Kerrigan mess did maye led too too many trying to exploit the sports popuularity and their were too many shows and competitions. So many "pro am" world championships etc.. I think those who truly are skating fans will stick with it through thick and thin. ut to the Average person the skating "scandals" or judging controversies or controversies who should have won unfortunately instead of maybe trying to imporve the sport hurt it. Ie the whining and complainaing abbout Yuna Kim losing in 2014, even in 2002 it wasn't about cheating it was aout corruption and even without he corruption the judging system allowed for the more artisitc team to possibly win. An unintentional consequences of the internet and people complaining is that people not die hards just laugh and the credility is hurt of the sport. 2002 brought a new scoring system ut to the average person not into the nuances the complicated system plus te constant change in values, requirements - the world record score really is meaningless. Values of elements have changed. Elements have changed. Comination/sequences values change The rise of the internet that allows people to form groups like those who felt chock and ates should have won OGM add to why care attitude but the average watcher.

 

[SmileHappy34]

First of all I am disappointed in Scott Hamilton. Back then he was all in pushing it saying it was good for sport.
Now this video claim he think it bad despite media claim in 1994 short term gain for long term losses.

 

[SmileHappy34]

Now the reasons
1. The figure skating expected the non fans to believe that hoopla and fall for it and be in love foe long term. It didn't happen. They tune in so for farce itvwas and the advertisement of sport to gain that back fired. It seem all they did push the bad or state what skater behavior was to focus on negatively.
Nothing really good was stated. All backstabbing against sport
2.pushes only certain skaters.
Yes winners but people like see growth. How handle win loses.
3. Fan pages that state at beginning who is retired, Injured won't skate. The skate during season.
4. Stating how result are incorrect on other web pages without showing or relating the correct result.
5. The safe sport stating who did this who did that without confirming. Why
6. Guilty in public opinion affirmation. Wh
Is it to help the sport, favor a particular skater team over another , make public or fan base feel sorry to help their rise and hurt other.
7. Monetary whether it money or In lieu of money, help, aid assistance.
Claim need it .claim of dire poverty or below income guidelines when most if not all are above.
They should live in u.s.a. on less thanb$12,000 a year not month.
Yes they need it. I dont want to hear it. Yes the sport income is lower than NBA, soccer. Golf, football.
Incomes are stretched , sport based is stretched, viewing hour are stretched
People have to limit what watch and see, go to afford. Figure skating not high on list. Cold rink,

 

[SmileHappy34]

Now the reasons
1. The figure skating expected the non fans to believe that hoopla and fall for it and be in love foe long term. It didn't happen. They tune in so for farce itvwas and the advertisement of sport to gain that back fired. It seem all they did push the bad or state what skater behavior was to focus on negatively.
Nothing really good was stated. All backstabbing against sport
2.pushes only certain skaters.
Yes winners but people like see growth. How handle win loses.
3. Does other sports highjack take over other sports forum
Is there mislead info put into forums deliberately

 

[SmileHappy34]

Did Tonya no combined effort