The U.S. Olympic team has just been announced

[nubka]

If they thought they were seeing good figure skating during the ladies' long programs, they know less than they think. Kwan's bye would be unfair only if someone within shouting range of the medal podium besides Meissner and Cohen didn't fall apart during the long program, but that's not what happened. I saw nothing from Emily last night to indicate she'd be any more likely to medal than Michelle would. Better to send someone you know can perform under pressure.

Well, heck, the next the the Oly's roll around, let's not even bother to have Nationals...it obviously doesn't mean anything.

 

[havanamesa1]

I do feel very bad for Emily Hughes, though.

Why? I don't remember HER earning a spot on the team. Only Sasha did. (ONLY the champion earns a spot on the team. The committee makes the decision on the two other spots, based on the likelihood of medaling, and not as a prize for getting on the Nats podium.) There shouldn't have been any illusion that there was more than one spot available -- it was a no-brainer that Kwan and Cohen were already locks for the first two, based on the USFSA's objective of sending a team most likely to get the US a medal..

 

[Spirit]

Actually, I was rather shocked at how much these guys did know about figure skating.

Maybe so, but if they thought that sending a woman who has been the world champion 5 times over was somehow giving skating a black eye, they don't know as much as they think.

Honestly, this is not even an issue as far as I'm concerned, and those who are making it an issue are doing so out of whole cloth just to have something to chew on. She's a 5-time world champion, a 2-time Olympic medalist, and was 4th at Worlds last year. As long as she's not injured, this is as close to a no-brainer as we're ever going to get. Piel's analogy using the idea of an injured ball player was right on, and makes the point even more. Case closed.

The whole point of the rule which allows people to petition their way onto the team was because of situations like this. The rule is doing what it's supposed to do -- help the U.S. have the best team possible.

 

[R.D.]

I hate to admit this but I'm simply SICK AND TIRED of people attempting to justify MK's case by her past accomplishments. Now, it DOES, and SHOULD work in her favor, but here's one thing- the PAST DOES NOT MATTER. The question is, can she hold up NOW? Can she be competitive enough for the Olympics NOW? If so, then put her on the team. If not, then past accomplishments mean nothing- send someone more capable.

 

[mzheng]

Well, heck, the next the the Oly's roll around, let's not even bother to have Nationals...it obviously doesn't mean anything.

By rule only National champ garentee a spot. And the National competetion decide who is the champ....see it obviously mean something, if you win the nationals, only then you EARN the spot.

For the record, US National is not called US Olympic Trial out competetion. By IC select rule it is only one of the competetions they take into the consideration in select process. And on their web site what they based on two fact.
1) The placement in these listed competetions.
2) The field level in these listed competetions.

 

[CzarinaAnya]

Dorothy Hamill has a great record, so does carol heiss. If past record is what we should go by, why not send them?

 

[mzheng]

I hate to admit this but I'm simply SICK AND TIRED of people attempting to justify MK's case by her past accomplishments. Now, it DOES, and SHOULD work in her favor, but here's one thing- the PAST DOES NOT MATTER. The question is, can she hold up NOW? Can she be competitive enough for the Olympics NOW? If so, then put her on the team. If not, then past accomplishments mean nothing- send someone more capable.

I'm sick of ppl does not read those rules, pretend don't know the precedence.
What's your problem, you don't know this IS a 'CONDITIONAL' bye clearly.....She is going to be monitored by her own hand written request which included in the petetion (mind you). There will be a final call in two weeks, right now only one day paseed, so what's the cry for UNFAIR?

As chairman of IC said, the decition made sole based on rule. MK's 4th place last worlds finish overruled Emily's 3rd place in last JW, and her this national's performance did not live to the par. So as long as MK can prove herself in two weeks she is able, then she goes, NO FOUL, NO UNFAIR. period.

 

[R.D.]

I'm sick of ppl does not read those rules, pretend don't know the precedence.
What's your problem, you don't know this IS a 'CONDITIONAL' bye clearly.....She is going to be monitored by her own hand written request which included in the petetion (mind you). There will be a final call in two weeks, right now only one day paseed, so what's the cry for UNFAIR?

As chairman of IC said, the decition made sole based on rule. MK's 4th place last worlds finish overruled Emily's 3rd place in last JW, and her this national's performance did not live to the par. So as long as MK can prove herself in two weeks she is able, then she goes, NO FOUL, NO UNFAIR. period.

Umm- where did I say it was "unfair"? Perhaps a Kwan fan should think for a sec before going on a gut reaction. All I said is that all that matters is that she's capable NOW, and the past doesn't matter. What does that have to do with anything being "unfair"? In fact, after reading the terms of her petition it sounds pretty reasonable to me.

 

[Piel]

That's what we Kwaniacs have been saying over, and over, and over, and over.........................................the same thing that is on the petition. It is getting very frustrating that posters who are normally intelligent, articulate people cannot seem to 'get' that the committe is following it's own rules just as it does every four years when they select the Olympic team. They were prepared for this situation...because they have the rules. If Emily Hughes wanted to go so badly she should have skated better. Anyone who watched Nationals and has half a brain could see that a Kwan not on life support could have easily won the gold medal over the field that was there in the condition they were in and the way they skated their programs. The committee's job is to select the best team. They are not there to stroke the egos of the skaters and make them feel all warm and fuzzy. If you're old enough to skate in the ladies division then put on your big girl tights and stay on your feet for four minutes.

 

[Misplaced Gymnast]

Anyone who watched Nationals and has half a brain could see that a Kwan not on life support could have easily won the gold medal over the field that was there in the condition they were in and the way they skated their programs.

Um...no. Emily last night was still better than Kwan in her most recent competition, where she couldn't even do ONE triple. And that was BEFORE the groin injury.

If Emily Hughes wanted to go so badly she should have skated better.

And if Kwan wants to go so badly, she should have skated last night.

Red Dog & Czarina Anya -

 

[Piel]

Kwan at Marshalls was not trained because of the hip injury. She would have skated at Nationals if she had not been injured. I know that you Kwan haters would have liked her to have competed injured because you think your favorites might be able to beat an injured Kwan OR she could have become permanently injured and out of your favorites way. We Kwaniacs know that about you guys and we really do feel your pain. BTW a triple does not a complete program make. Emily still needs to improve her Juniorish presentation, have better extension on her spirals, and develope some grace and flow in her programs.

 

[Mathman]

Kwan was selected for the U.S. Olympic team. This is remains true no matter how much the Internet message boards bust their collective gusset.

I guess we will just have to suck it up and deal with it.

MM

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

It is my firm belief that Michelle will withdraw from the Olympics if the test skate does not go well. She is a lady. I'm sure she has told Emilie to continue to practice.

Red Dog relax. Being sick and tired of Michelle all your life is not a healthy sign for you.

Joe

 

[Doggygirl]

Kwan was selected for the U.S. Olympic team. This is remains true no matter how much the Internet message boards bust their collective gusset.

I guess we will just have to suck it up and deal with it.

MM

What I find interesting is at least from where I was sitting, and from the other people I chatted with (the only benefit to being a smoker....) this was NOT a hot topic at the event. When the subject came up at all, which wasn't all that much, people tended to comment along the lines of "I'd rather see it decided on the ice, but the petition process is in place for this sort of situation, and MK should be named to the team at this point." Of course this doesn't include a poll of everyone in the stadium, nor does it include the feelings of say, parents of skaters who competed in Sr. Ladies (I wasn't sitting near that section), who might have a different bias. Most of these folks were just long term skating fans, or families with younger skaters, and one trial judge.

All this just to say that this topic, from my POV, seems far more controversial and emotional on the disucssion boards and in the media than it seemed live and in person among just "regular fans."

I'm remaining confident that all parties involved including MK will make the best decisions for the team as MK's recovery continues to unfold. (Joe, ITA that I trust MK to do the right thing, whatever that turns out to be.)

DG

 

[cianni]

Wait and we will see

This is not a strong team. Kimmie is an up and coming skater but is still young. Michelle is a complete question mark in spite of the crystal ball reading. Cohen is depending on tricks and as long as she doesnt actually fall the flawed skating will be overlooked. This will be an interesting OLYS with lots of surprises. This sport is on Ice and Ice is slippery. We must now with COP pretend we dont see the overinflated marks for PCS so the winner is preordained. It will take a knock your lights out skate to beat the one who is already picked for the Gold.

 

[Mathman]

Dorothy Hamill has a great record, so does Carol Heiss. If past record is what we should go by, why not send them?

But the only thing wrong with that plan is that Michelle might end up being bumped by Tenley Albright.

Doggygirl, thanks for that interesting and down-to-earth perspective. We do take ourselves a little too seriously here, LOL.

MM

 

[soogar]

I'll bet this is just killing the Kwan-haters.

Well this Kwan-disliker thinks that Michelle is going to embarrass herself that the Games and earn a wave of dislike to pushing out a healthy competitor from the team.

 

[soogar]

Kwan at Marshalls was not trained because of the hip injury. She would have skated at Nationals if she had not been injured. I know that you Kwan haters would have liked her to have competed injured because you think your favorites might be able to beat an injured Kwan OR she could have become permanently injured and out of your favorites way. We Kwaniacs know that about you guys and we really do feel your pain. BTW a triple does not a complete program make. Emily still needs to improve her Juniorish presentation, have better extension on her spirals, and develope some grace and flow in her programs.

Huh? She just started doing some triples and has pain on the double axel. She is not injury free. Though a Kwan with no injuries would have had one more triple than Emily. Big deal.

 

[R.D.]

I do think that if she feels she can't go to the Games, she'll pull out. If she goes I think she wants to go for gold again. If "worst-case scenario" plays out and her Olympic program IS a disaster, then...who knows. But I don't think the fans or sponsors will hold it against her.

By now I think no one expects MK to take Gold if she goes.

 

[new_europe2006]

Did the "haters" say anything?

Then why is there a discussion about them? :scratch:

Apparently you haters did.