Irina Retiring... (?)

[Ptichka]

A reporter's job is to report what happens, not just what is favorable. It's OK to report that someone acted grateful and charming, then it's OK to report if they throw a hissy fit. Everyone knows that what happens back stage and in locker rooms is still part of the "story" of a competition....at least in real sports. If you want FS considered a real sport then you have to be willing for it's participants to be treated like real athletes and not Miss Sally's School of Dance. This was the Olympics, not a grade school recital. I think these skaters are not as fragile as some of you guys make them out to be.

Those of us who object to this story do so NOT because it's unfavorable to Irina, but because it is something that has happened in private. I do believe very strongly that public figures, be it athletes or politicians, should indeed have private lives inaccessible to cameras.

 

[antmanb]

And where's the fallout from this comment? You see, I refuse to believe that figure skaters are all nice princesses. see those looks on their faces before a competition? If looks could kill...

If someone else said that, they'd be crucified. But Kwan? It's OK, we can laugh it off. She's not REALLY like that, anyway :sheesh: yeah, whatever...



And just HOW do we know this? If Zimmerman hadn't said anything, we'd be saying that Irina never throws any medal in the trash, either.

Sorry if I sound a bit harsh, but I can't stand it when people are patronized. Usually it's MK, but I see this happening more and more with Sasha now. Everyone is human and has their bad days.

You totally got the wrong end of the stick - my comment about it never happening was saying - that no-one has reported sahsa or michelle throwing their medals in teh bin and that is why there are no comments saying how they would react. I was reacting to someone saying that if michelle or sasha had done that then people would jump all over them and crucify them. I disagredd on teh basis taht i would forgive any of them.

The point i was making is that we don't sit around discussing things that to the best of our knowledge didn't happen...what's the point in discussing public outrage at Mandy Skatealot mooning over the boards during Svetlana Jumphigh's LP if we have no proof that this happened?

Ant

 

[Mathman]

...what's the point in discussing public outrage at Mandy Skatealot mooning over the boards during Svetlana Jumphigh's LP if we have no proof that this happened?

Yes, it did! Check your tapes! It's a little bit blurry, but if you look at exactly the 1:43 mark over in the upper right side of the screen, what looks like a bald-headed guy leaning over the boards...

 

[curious]

I miss the cold war. In the good old days we could send out our gallant Olympians to fight for Truth, Justice and the American Way. Now -- meh.

MM

We will be hearing about pearl harbor very soon now that the japanese ladies are dominating the sport lol! Those Eville Japanese skaters

 

[Piel]

Those of us who object to this story do so NOT because it's unfavorable to Irina, but because it is something that has happened in private. I do believe very strongly that public figures, be it athletes or politicians, should indeed have private lives inaccessible to cameras.

But it wasn't done in private. Back stage is not a private area. No one would be complaining if she had won and John had reported her saying what a beautiful gold medal it was. How can you say her privacy was invaded when she was not in a private place? Now if John had been lurking in her apt. or following her into a restaurant then you could claim he was invading her privacy but not backstage where it is common to interview skaters, whether they win or lose.

 

[Mafke]

But it wasn't done in private. Back stage is not a private area. .... How can you say her privacy was invaded when she was not in a private place?

Then it _should_ be a private area, if the audience isn't there then journalists are there at the athletes' sufferance and everyting should be 'off the record' unless the athlete specifically says it's not.

Jeez, why don't we just follow Slutskaya into the toilet so posters here critique her wiping technique ...

 

[Piel]

Then it _should_ be a private area, if the audience isn't there then journalists are there at the athletes' sufferance and everyting should be 'off the record' unless the athlete specifically says it's not.

Jeez, why don't we just follow Slutskaya into the toilet so posters here critique her wiping technique ...

Then maybe you should petition whoever is in charge to designate it as a private area. But until then it is unfair to condemn the reporter for doing his job. Why should her reaction to not winning the gold NOT be reported, just because she may have acted in a way that she later regreted (or not)? Irina has competed long enough to know where reporters might be. She has a coach who should have looked after her best interests and taken her to a private place if she was too distraught. Irina is an adult and a seasoned competitor. She is soley responsible for her actions. Don't want it to be reported that you acted ugly...then DON"T ACT UGLY. I don't remember anyone complaining that Sarah Hughes' privacy was invaded when NBC televised her and Robin carrying on after she won the OGM at SLC. IMO this all falls under the "thrill of victory and agony of defeat" category and is fair game to be reported.

 

[demarinis5]

IMO Michelle, Sasha and Irina all have something in common. They have
all been guilty of Diva Behavior at one time or another in their careers it comes with the turf. Do they act like that all the time of course not. They are figure skating stars and very competitive and that must affect their actions to some degree. It does not change the fact that l am a fan of all three ladies.
.

 

[antmanb]

Yes, it did! Check your tapes! It's a little bit blurry, but if you look at exactly the 1:43 mark over in the upper right side of the screen, what looks like a bald-headed guy leaning over the boards...

I see it! I see it!!!

Ant

 

[antmanb]

Then it _should_ be a private area, if the audience isn't there then journalists are there at the athletes' sufferance and everyting should be 'off the record' unless the athlete specifically says it's not.

Jeez, why don't we just follow Slutskaya into the toilet so posters here critique her wiping technique ...

I'm with you on this one - the backstage area should be off limits to all reporters - i think its hard enough for teh skaters to get through the kiss and cry bit without having to hold it all in til....when they get back to the hotel? That's too much.

Ant

 

[antmanb]

Then maybe you should petition whoever is in charge to designate it as a private area. But until then it is unfair to condemn the reporter for doing his job. Why should her reaction to not winning the gold NOT be reported, just because she may have acted in a way that she later regreted (or not)? Irina has competed long enough to know where reporters might be. She has a coach who should have looked after her best interests and taken her to a private place if she was too distraught. Irina is an adult and a seasoned competitor. She is soley responsible for her actions. Don't want it to be reported that you acted ugly...then DON"T ACT UGLY. I don't remember anyone complaining that Sarah Hughes' privacy was invaded when NBC televised her and Robin carrying on after she won the OGM at SLC. IMO this all falls under the "thrill of victory and agony of defeat" category and is fair game to be reported.

I agree with everything you've said but i forgive irina for any of her actions - i can sympathise. Regadless of it all i still think John Z is a rat for reporting it, for being unable to be a human being for long enough to make the moral call that sometimes you have to let being a human being be more important than your job. He made the call that went with his job and therefore i judge him on that call.

Ant

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

We will be hearing about pearl harbor very soon now that the japanese ladies are dominating the sport lol! Those Eville Japanese skaters

THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE INSULT​

 

[R.D.]

Bumping up this thread to say...according to a poster on FSU and a Russian article, Irina may stay in it another four years (gasp) if her health allows! I'm not convinced, but...what do you make of it? Maybe Kwan will stay in it, too? The old veterans are really determined to stick around, it seems.

Then again, Irina said she was going to Worlds and then she didn't. I'm not sure what to think here...

 

[Mathman]

Then again, Irina said she was going to Worlds and then she didn't. I'm not sure what to think here...

Well, I think she finally decided that she did want to go to worlds, but by that time it was too late.

Anyway, there is no reason for her to retire from competition if she doesn't want to. She is skating the best of her career, with only a couple of subpar performances (2006 Olympics and 2004 Euros) in the last two seasons.

Figure skating is what she does, and she can probably make more money at the sport by staying eligible than by "going pro" (whatever that entails these days).

Her health is a concern, and will continue to be so the rest of her life -- but that's true whether she skates or not. So, go Irina!

MM

 

[demarinis5]

Bumping up this thread to say...according to a poster on FSU and a Russian article, Irina may stay in it another four years (gasp) if her health allows! I'm not convinced, but...what do you make of it? Maybe Kwan will stay in it, too? The old veterans are really determined to stick around, it seems.

The Rolling Stones are still touring and selling out arenas. Why not
Michelle and Irina.

 

[R.D.]

The Rolling Stones are still touring and selling out arenas. Why not
Michelle and Irina.

Skating is not singing, though...I doubt anyone would be able to win a world title at 65...

 

[demarinis5]

Skating is not singing, though...I doubt anyone would be able to win a world title at 65...

Who said anything about winning World's at 65. It was a comparison.
Why should you retire if you are healthy and still can compete.
The Rolling Stones may be senior citizens but they rock for two
solid hours and have been touring for years. I think they do a little
more than just sing and expend a lot more energy while performing
than skaters doing a 2 minute short and 4 minute long. If Michelle
and Irina want to stay eligible I think that is just wonderful.

 

[R.D.]

No, I meant that I don't think it's a fair comparison since they're two totally different things...ice skating and singing. Forget the 65 comment, and that's what I meant.

 

[Pau-goodle76]

If any skater over the age of 21 want to stay in the game more power to 'em!

 

[Rgirl]

I've adored Irina ever since I saw her tacky LP to a tacky rendition of Broadway show tunes in her costume with the tacky ostrich feathers on the sleeves. Why I fell in love with "leetle 'reenee" who knows, but all that spunk and radiance of just loving to be out there probably had something to do with it.

And when she made it through the Evil Growth Cave of puberty and came out the other side an exciting, athletic woman, I just loved her all the more. And there ain't nothin' like seeing Irina skate all out in person. She is the epitome of ZOOM!

I will miss her on the ice, but given her health situation, the sooner she tries to "born a baby" the better. Having vasculitis is going to make her life tough in a way most of us will never be able to imagine, thankfully. To quote Napoleon Dynamite: Irina, I hope all your experiences are unforgettable.

Thanks for a decade full of countless hours of phenomenal, powerful, and beautiful skating.

Rgirl