Recently I looked at the list of Ladies Olympic Gold Medalists since 1992 and watched their performances over and it seems like there have been a lot of controversy/surprises/ upsets for almost half of the competitions.
1992: Kristi Yamaguchi - I agree with the outcome
1994: Oksana Baiul- After watching both performances, I do not agree with this outcome. One of the closest competitions. Some say Nancy lost the competition because she doubled her triple flip and Oksana had better technical elements in her program. Nancy had better jump combinations and spins than Oksana including a triple toe triple toe. Oksana only did one combination - double axel double toe and had a double footing. Artistry is subjective--but in my mind, Oksanas use of jazz hands and novice choreography was unappealing. Nancy Kerrigan definitely deserved the gold. Maybe judges had a sympathy vote for Oksana due to her back story.
1998: Tara Lipinski - I am undecided on this one, but leaning towards Michelle Kwan on this one. I think Tara had the skate of her life that night with great technical elements compared to Michelle. But Michelle's artistry and choreography was much stronger than Taras. I think the score for Michelle would be accurate at 5.7 foe technical elements and 5.9 for presentation. For Tara it would be 5.9 for technical and 5.7 for presentation. This would both end up with a tie score but with the presentation score being the tie breaker, Michelle wins. I agree that if Michelle skated later in the group and after Tara, the presentation scores would be 6.0
2002- Sarah Hughes- I agree with the outcome
2006- Shizuka Arakawa- I agree with the outcome
2010- Yu Na Kim- I agree with the outcome
2014- Adelina Sotnikova- WHAT A JOKE! I do NOT agree with the outcome at all! How in the world did this performance beat Yu Na Kims? Some say its because she had a harder program technically, but how is it possible that her PCS scores became that inflated! Yes it was on her home ice, but her PCS in the 2013 Worlds was 13 points lower than Yu Na's! Basically she was probably told, she stay on your feet and you will be the champion. Biggest fluke in Olympic history for women's figure skating. She probably knows she doesn't deserve the gold. She will not be defending her title due to "injury" / knowing she knows she can't even place at nationals to qualify for the next Olympics
2018- ???? Will this be another surprise upset? Since the Olympics will be in South Korea--will there be some kind of retaliation for what happened to Yu Na Kim in 2014? Evegenia is such a strong competitor and is a superior skater. She is the clear favorite and should be Russia's first DESERVING Olympic Gold Medalist. But who knows--- maybe there will be another surprise!
1992: Kristi Yamaguchi - I agree with the outcome
1994: Oksana Baiul- After watching both performances, I do not agree with this outcome. One of the closest competitions. Some say Nancy lost the competition because she doubled her triple flip and Oksana had better technical elements in her program. Nancy had better jump combinations and spins than Oksana including a triple toe triple toe. Oksana only did one combination - double axel double toe and had a double footing. Artistry is subjective--but in my mind, Oksanas use of jazz hands and novice choreography was unappealing. Nancy Kerrigan definitely deserved the gold. Maybe judges had a sympathy vote for Oksana due to her back story.
1998: Tara Lipinski - I am undecided on this one, but leaning towards Michelle Kwan on this one. I think Tara had the skate of her life that night with great technical elements compared to Michelle. But Michelle's artistry and choreography was much stronger than Taras. I think the score for Michelle would be accurate at 5.7 foe technical elements and 5.9 for presentation. For Tara it would be 5.9 for technical and 5.7 for presentation. This would both end up with a tie score but with the presentation score being the tie breaker, Michelle wins. I agree that if Michelle skated later in the group and after Tara, the presentation scores would be 6.0
2002- Sarah Hughes- I agree with the outcome
2006- Shizuka Arakawa- I agree with the outcome
2010- Yu Na Kim- I agree with the outcome
2014- Adelina Sotnikova- WHAT A JOKE! I do NOT agree with the outcome at all! How in the world did this performance beat Yu Na Kims? Some say its because she had a harder program technically, but how is it possible that her PCS scores became that inflated! Yes it was on her home ice, but her PCS in the 2013 Worlds was 13 points lower than Yu Na's! Basically she was probably told, she stay on your feet and you will be the champion. Biggest fluke in Olympic history for women's figure skating. She probably knows she doesn't deserve the gold. She will not be defending her title due to "injury" / knowing she knows she can't even place at nationals to qualify for the next Olympics
2018- ???? Will this be another surprise upset? Since the Olympics will be in South Korea--will there be some kind of retaliation for what happened to Yu Na Kim in 2014? Evegenia is such a strong competitor and is a superior skater. She is the clear favorite and should be Russia's first DESERVING Olympic Gold Medalist. But who knows--- maybe there will be another surprise!