- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
...I suppose you can argue Mao Asada has a need. But I am concerned that by accommodating her, it will have unintended consequences on others. Maybe I worry too much, maybe you are absolutely right but I haven't yet heard from a single skating coach who thinks this proposal actually makes sense. I guess time will tell, I just hope it won't end with some spectacular disasters on TV in the same way of the Luge accident in Vancouver.
That is actually quite a jarring comparison. The Canadian Olympic Committee admitted to moral (but, tellingly, not legal) responsibility for this accident. Anxious not to be shut out of the medals in their own Olympics, they deliberately made the 50-50 turn so difficult that no one could do it. Then they proceeded to allow Canadian sliders, but not athletes from other countries, to practice on the course for several weeks. The coach of the Canadian luge squad even bragged the day before the accident that -- yes, that is exactly what we did; all's fair in love, war and the Olympics. (Not, of course, that the Canadian OC actually wanted anyone to die -- just to wipe out on the turn.)
So, are we accusing the Japanese Figure Skating Federation of the same thing -- putting other athletes at danger of life and limb in order to gain an advantage for the Japanese skater?