Olivia Smart & Tim Dieck

[gsk8]

Join us as we sit down with Spain's Olivia Smart and Tim Dieck for a conversation about their incredible season. From the moment inspiration struck for their "Dune" free dance to their triumphant performances on the World stage, Smart and Dieck open up about their journey, the highs and the lows, and the lessons learned.

How did they bounce back after Nebelhorn?
What did their Skate America medal change for them?
Why did their Worlds performance feel like a movie?
How did Olivia’s stand against online bullying make an impact?

Will they be keeping their Dune free dance for the Olympic season?

Don’t miss this honest and inspiring interview!

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

Great news, Tim is now a Spanish citizen!

 

[NanaPat]

Olivia has a Youtube Channel called "Olivia Smart". It may be renamed to something jazzier, but I actually like the simplicity of it. She seems to be posting weekly, and has done three videos so far. I like the fact that she just sits on a couch and talks; no location shots with multiple people and indecipherable background noise, no special effects, no gimmicks. It's very relaxing to just listen to a thoughtful monologue (which feels more like a dialogue, as she seems to be talking just to me). I think she did include some video of their GP skates, but can't remember for sure. This week it was just her and her dog and a cameo appearance by Jean-Luc's hand.

 

[elbkup]

Olympic FD was stunning I had so looked forward to seeing Dune again and it was wonderful! My nephew who is a big Dune fan loved both iterations but is definitely NOT a skating fan
Well done!

 

[Winter halo]

Their Dune programs from last year and this year were amazing. In my view the best, most innovative free dance programs of both years. So glad they have been seen by the huge Olympic audience.

 

[noskates]

I've been watching Olivia's podcast and really, really enjoying it. Her insights to the ISU and competitive skating are very, very enlightening. Can't wait to see what she and Tim are going to do this year. Also can't wait to see them competing against Jean Luc and Marjorie. This could be a fascinating story.

 

[Silevril Ilumire]

I also have been watching Olivia's YouTube podcast since the first episode. I really enjoy it and I'm endlessly interested in the realities of life as a competitive skater so I'm really grateful she decided to do this. For anyone who hasn't tried it yet, I highly recommend it. She has been posting every 2 weeks (I think) during the off season and was doing it intermittently through the last competition season. One of her recent episodes was about Jean-Luc's new partnership with Marjorie Lajoie. In her latest, she talked about her reaction to her GP assignments (NHK has been a long time dream), testifying about online bullying at the ISU Congress, and some stuff she did for fun this summer with Jean-Luc and her friends. She is grateful that Jean-Luc and Marjorie were also assigned to NHK as he likely would not have been able to accompany her on her first trip to Japan otherwise. Olivia is very nice, chatty, and respectful of other athletes. She does not indulge in gossip or make unkind remarks, but she will speak out about online bullying, various struggles, and the future of the sport.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A1kHyvy0lc