Negative Article Re: Kwan in Houston Paper

[Joesitz (RIP)]

Coca-Cola already made a statement that regardless of whether or not she goes to Torino, it's her overall marketability that attracted them. Now that could just be spin, but it's the official line at this point.

It makes sense. When in a recent competition, she skated very poorly and won on call-ins, and the competition was far superior so she has marketability.

Joe

 

[swannanoa54]

Just wondering because I also hve read a statement from her that she has a shot for gold medal in Turin. That sounds rather delusional, in my opinion.

Well, what would you say if you were going to go to the Olympics? That you're skating for a bronze or any medal? Nothing delusional about her statement. I think ALL the Olympians have a "shot for the gold medal" because that's what they train for and want to try for. They may not truly be of OGM material, but why say someone is delusional for believing they have a shot? IMO it sounds like confidence whether any of us believe it to be true or not. I'd rather see someone say they have a shot than say "I'm going to try and medal".

 

[easygoer13]

So which part of this story is untrue???

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/lopez/3599640.html

What can I say they gave us George Bush.....both of them. I wonder if the Taylors or Lipinskis own stock in this paper?

So which part of this article is factually incorrect, hmmm? So far as I can see, this author is guilty of reporting the truth....

Politics on a skating forum, eh? What can I say....? Another socialist against meritocracy and open competition. Politics, anyone?...

 

[easygoer13]

Please list the inaccuracies!

Wow, this is some of the worst journalism I've come across lately. The chronicle is a sister paper to the express-news, I think I'll drop him a line. Its not even acurate.

Just read the article in question.....fairness requires me to ask you to actually LIST the inaccuracies in the article.

 

[Mathman]

The article says (and I quote)

"And even at 25, she can still pull off the ponytail thing."

This is grossly inaccurate. Maybe at 22 or 23, but come on!

 

[Mathman]

Seriously, though, I do disgaree with the main thrust of this author's take on things. He sums up his position with this analogy:

"If other sports followed this kind of logic, Jeff Bagwell would be the Astros' opening day first baseman despite a rancid shoulder because he's Jeff Bagwell."

I think the right response is to point out that if Bagwell's shoulder is recovered by the World Series, the Astros might indeed put him back in the line-up.

MM

 

[attyfan]

Football doesn't have a bye procedure. Football players don't have to do triple jumps, either. What about letting skaters be governed by skating rules?

Jaana "I think it was odd that Kwan signed those sponsor contracts although she was an injured skater. Are those used as some kind of leverage to push her to the Olympics without caring much how she might skate at the test-skate?"

First, it would be even odder if those sponsorship contracts get signed without a "just in case" clause covering what happens if a skater is injured, or otherwise fails to get on the Oly team. (Reebok, wasn't it?)

Second, does anyone know if the USFSA will get a cut of any of the sponsorship money? I wouldn't think they would, especially since they studiously avoid referring to Nats as the "Oly trials" so they don't have to split with the USOC or IOC. Since the USFSA won't benefit, I doubt it would have an impact on the decision.

 

[euterpe]

I think we are making too much of Emily declining Four Contintents. No one ever goes to Four Continents if they can get out of it.

That's because most of the time, 4CC is held in Asia and the long trip right after Nationals is too exhausting for the top skaters who are going to Worlds.

In this case, 4CC is being held in the US, a short hop for the US skaters. Emily has ZERO Senior International Championship experience, and her appearance at 4CC should be very helpful to her in preparation for either Torino or Worlds. Her refusal to go indicates her fear that she will not perform well in comparison to Michelle's test skate (which will, ironically, happen simultaneously). It doesn't say much about her self-confidence, that's for sure.

 

[Mathman]

Her refusal to go indicates her fear that she will not perform well in comparison to Michelle's test skate.

This conjecture seems out of left field to me. What evidence to we have that Emily is fearful, courageous, or anything else?

 

[Dodhiyel]

I also wonder why Emily refused her 4CC invitation. Was she afraid she wouldn't skate well and that would hurt her chances to go to Torino, or that Katy might outskate her? I tend to think she IS afraid that the ISU judges might mark her the way they did during the GP. She certainly could have used another international competition under her belt before going to Worlds. She'd be better off being undermarked at 4CC than at Worlds.

I think it possible that she is still hoping to make it to the Olys, because MK has not yet been tested by the committee. If she does get assigned to the Olys, the 4CC would be very tiring, being so close in time. For a singles skater, that is quite crucial, because of the jumps. Also, let us remember that Emily has only recently recovered from a severe attack of meningitis. So, perhaps she feels that combining rest with practice is her best path for preparing for Worlds. In any case, I wish her the best.

 

[mzheng]

I think it was odd that Kwan signed those sponsor contracts although she was an injured skater. Are those used as some kind of leverage to push her to the Olympics without caring much how she might skate at the test-skate?

I have read Kwan mentioning that she will not go to the Olympics if she does not feel 100 % fit. Will she herself be the best judge for that? Just wondering because I also hve read a statement from her that she has a shot for gold medal in Turin. That sounds rather delusional, in my opinion.

AFAIK, these contracts signed WAY Before her injuries. The coca cola ones signed around time Emmy rewards recieption night. Visa even before this. East West Bank even before that, the money provided by East West Bank was used for the funding of EWIP opening. It was just they announcement(coca cola) was late.

In case you havn't read, there are also reports that The USFSA IC concile of 5, the designated doctors, the whole Kamp Kwan will make the judgement if her programs are ready, if her injuries 100% recovered.....she also said in her conference that she hope the USFSA IC think she is one of the top three in US. Her test skates does not need to beat Sasha's national performances, just need to beat Emily's or even Kimmie's......then if they decide send her, and she feels she can be 100% by time the Game, then she can continue improving in next 3 weeks (that's a lot time in her level). Good luck to you Michelle Kwan.

 

[mzheng]

I think it possible that she is still hoping to make it to the Olys, because MK has not yet been tested by the committee. If she does get assigned to the Olys, the 4CC would be very tiring, being so close in time. For a singles skater, that is quite crucial, because of the jumps. Also, let us remember that Emily has only recently recovered from a severe attack of meningitis. So, perhaps she feels that combining rest with practice is her best path for preparing for Worlds. In any case, I wish her the best.

Personally, I don't have question or problem with her reject the 4CC. Though others brought up the valid point that during this break through season, she could've use this international championship experience.

The problem that I have was the same ppl, who said Kwan shouldn't get bye to bump out Emily, crying for sending a just coming out injury Kwan to 4CC while a healthy Emily just rejected the 4CC in the name of preparing Worlds, which is about one month later than the Game. I don't think it's fair to Kwan either. Not to mention there is never such precedence in medical bye process.

 

[Piel]

I don't want to get into political discussion but the Religious Right scares me just as much.

Amen brotherRD!

 

[Piel]

The article says (and I quote)This is grossly inaccurate. Maybe at 22 or 23, but come on!

Hey I'm 52 and can STILL carry off a ponytail very well, thank you very much! There are ponytail gals...and then there's everybody else.

 

[Piel]

Let's face it those who don't like Kwan, which BTW is not hard to determine who you are by your posting history as well as the fans of Hughes I and II don't think she should have received a bye. OTOH those who like Kwan, and we know who you are too, usually by your avatars agree with the bye. The only question left is will the "MK Bye Incident" become the generator of the most posts in Internet history?

 

[Kwanford Wife]

Oh bah humbug (past Christmas time but a humbug just the same...) this guy sounds like Kwan being named to the team cost him a bet or something...

Go Kwan!

 

[Mathman]

But Kwanford, aren't you in favor of a "meritocracy" (government by the Superior People)? Let's see, there's me, you, Piel .... yeah, I'm totally there.

 

[Mathman]

OK, I'm slow, but sooner or later I'll get it.

I take back all my posts about Emily Hughes and Four Continents.

Obviously, Emily should have gone to Four Continents, skated lights out, and put as much pressure on Michelle and the Committee as possible! Emily, Emily, Emily! Do not go gentle into that good night! It you want that Olympic spot, you've got to fight for it tooth and nail, like Michelle is!

MM

 

[R.D.]

This conjecture seems out of left field to me. What evidence to we have that Emily is fearful, courageous, or anything else?

Ditto. I'm not sure I'm understanding this argument.

 

[Doggygirl]

Let's face it those who don't like Kwan, which BTW is not hard to determine who you are by your posting history as well as the fans of Hughes I and II don't think she should have received a bye. OTOH those who like Kwan, and we know who you are too, usually by your avatars agree with the bye. The only question left is will the "MK Bye Incident" become the generator of the most posts in Internet history?

Hey Piel my fellow Luging Diva. Is there a category for folks like me who appreciated the skating of Hughes I, appreciates Hughes II, appreciates MK, appreciates that the bye process rules are appropriate, and that MK qualifies, and trusts team MK and the USFSA officials to do the right thing?

I think my category is far more boring though....

:chorus: :chorus: :chorus:

DG