I think a lot of people have become invested in Roman. A very large number of online fans have been flying high since Cranberry, rightfully celebrating that win. After a roller-coaster of a career, Roman wins his first international title!
And, a week later, with one Olympic spot on the line... Keegan the spoiler comes back. That's what they seem to feel anyway. I think there's also a group who semi-resent Gabby for coming back and threatening Maddie's spot. Just like in America there is some eye-rolling at the Shibs.
I dismiss these opinions entirely. If it's Roman's spot, or Maddie's spot, or Green and Parson's spot, then they'll all go out and prove they deserve it.
Fair enough but how can fans resent someone like Gabby who has had such freak accidents, struggled for the last 3-4 years to regain her shape, is now healthy again but far from her peak level, from trying to end her career on her own terms? An olympic champion and world medalist should be given credit for coming back from so far back... she doesn't need more credentials... she is doing it for the love of skating. No matter where she ends in the rankings, and I doubt it will be first place at Nationals, I bow in reverence to her for her perseverance.
Regarding ShibSibs, sidelined by Maya's illness... they too, do not have anything to prove.
Keegan probably feels that his O games were stolen away from him, by Covid. He didn't get to experience the joy of taking part in those olympics and well, his life was taking him somewhere else with his family growing. He was also in pain throughout his last season.. His body was tired. Again, kudos to him... yes, unlike the other returning skaters (and there are more) he could want to pick up some hardware, especially the team event medal that alluded him in 2022... but again, and I said that in the Shibs thread :
To be competing at this level, the elite... top 20-30 skaters in the world, with such a difficult sport on the body, you cannot just show up after a while and hope for the best. Serious training and commitment are required and these athletes deserve the ultimate respect.
I am proud of Roman's and Stephen's achievements at Cranberry cup. They simply need to keep bringing their A game. I'd say that they are ahead of Keegan because they have indeed started competing well early in the season. Keegan's level could be similar to Gabby's at this point (good stuff but not all steady jumps) and that wouldn't be enough to beat 160 LPs. In other words, Roman fans need to stop whining
Roman just needs to perform well and that's the only thing HE can control. If Roman doesn't skate well, he won't be going to the games .... that's all. If he does skate well and gets beaten, then he will be able to say that he's tried his best and done what he could do.
Sorry, I quoted you and I know that we are on the same page here... so thank you for explaining why fans who were so excited about the Cranberry results turned sour so quickly because Keegan announced his retirement just after that.
I have been through this before as people also complained about Patrick's return and Virtue and Moir's return. Well, they returned and got the medals they deserved.
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