Olympic season - yay or nay?

[Oreo]

I think if you ask any athlete, from those just starting out to those who have retired, the answer would be a huge yay. The Olympics are a dream, a motivator to excel, and even though most do not make it, most do not have profound regrets.

 

[gotoschool]

I am definitely in the nay category because the elements and performances from the skaters I enjoy watching don't and won't ever get anywhere near the top scores, but more specifically for this season the amazing performances of two of my favorite skaters, Mai Mihara and Haein Lee at the 4CC's in stark contrast to their being rejected for the Olympic team has turned me off.

 

[moonvine]

For me, not just nay but heck nay. I don't understand this whole emphasis on the Olympics...years ago when they were amateur only it was a bigger deal in my eyes...I'm so sick of hearing about it..the fights over who got appointed (or not) to which country's team...dreading the mass retirements afterwards. Best yet the day after the games are over people are going to start talking about the next one. Please God make it stop. I'm more invested in who's going to the Cranberry Cup next year than I am about the Olympics.

But for the athletes yay I guess because it is so important to them and they're putting in the work.

 

[moonvine]

Other than that, big Yay. I am a huge Olympics fan in general, both Summer and Winter. I took two weeks off from work with the Summer Games and my next two-week-plus-first-Friday (team competition) vacation is just two weeks away!!

I used to take time off to watch them before I got disabled, only could take one week at a time though.

 

[ladyjane]

I have a bit of a double feeling about the OG season. On one side I 'get' that it's a great goal for any skater to be able to compete there as it only takes place every 4 years. Being an Olympic Sport, also gives the sport a certain status in any case. In certain countries only sports considered 'Olympic' get the acknowledgement of being a 'top level sport'. On the other side, I regret that other achievements - like at Worlds, Euros, 4CC, the GP - are all so focused on the (next) Olympics while to me they should be considered worthwhile in their own right. But instead it's always about either the post-Olympic season being less interesting (why?), the mid point giving a status update on the next, and in the 3rd being totally about getting spots for the Olympics the following year. And I definitely don't like the often rather sour discussions about who gets to go, although I tend to be really happy for all skaters who do.

Of course, I do like it that an OG season gives us an extra moment to watch skaters from all over the World compete. One that is shared by so many more people than just the dedicated fans. I share the excitement about the OG, even if the competitions aren't always the best (although the Pairs competition at the last OG was top of the bill). And Worlds in an Olympic year is usually full of surprises....I like that part of it too. That mix of established skaters going for Worlds, combined with some new talents because of the retirement of skaters after the OG or Olympic skaters skipping Worlds in an Olympic year.

 

[Jaana]

I love watching all figure skating competitions, but most of all the Olympics as it is the most important competition there is in figure skating. It is always exciting to see who will rise to the occasion...

 

[yume]

Because of all that stress during olympic season.

 

[yelyoh]

The Olympics generate a lot of income for networks, etc. Thus they promote/hype them relentlessly. And yes they garner a lot more attention for some sports but that attention is short lived. I am also a big fan of track and it's the same deal as FSing; people tune in every four years unless they are regular fans. I am also a tennis fan and that is one sport that gets genuine attention from the general public on a more consistent basis and not as much during the Olympics, relatively. I am a fan of the Olympics but the best athletes don't always do their best because of the compartmentalized pressure and that saddens and frustrates me. But again, I still watch.

 

[Skater Boy]

The olympics has a wonderful tradition. Yes, it is every four yars and some peopel or most consider it the pinnacle of a sport. Which is sad because one unlucky day, injury, bad judging, one inspirational skate by another skating and some epic and premiere skaters like Michelle Kwan, Brian Orser, Patrick Chan, Tai and Randy, Kurt Browning, etc never won gold or in some cases an olympic medal. Yes, the argument can be made they obvious weren't that good or they would have won gold or a medal. And a lot is timing. Had the olympics been held a year or two early for vgenia she would probably have gold. That's why someoe with several world medals or titles is given great respect. But right or wrong the olympics is still the jewel in the crown.