- Joined
- Jul 26, 2003
I keep thinking of the line at the end of The Hunt for Red October: "Welcome to the New World, Captain..."
Update on Plushenko suing T&M
- Thread starter Ptichka
- Start date
Thanks for this translation, Ptichka. 
I shall attempt to answer your question as to why some people think Yevgeny should "just let it go".
First of all, I think we all *do* realize that this is a matter of business, and that Yevgeny has every legal right to try to sue over it. However, there is more here than just business.
Why do nations want their skaters to win Olympic medals in the first place? For glory, and for the respect of other nations, I would say. There is nothing glorious about one Russian Olympic Champion of 2006 suing other Russian Olympic Champions of 2006. On the contrary, it is an embarrassing absurdity in full sight of the entire world, a thing to be avoided. There is a saying, "snatching victory from the jaws of defeat". This is the opposite; it is "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory". How can such a mess be made out of a multiple Olympic victory? This is terrible Public Relations, terrible.
I consider the above to be the most important reason why Yevgeny should consider just walking away from this, and letting the talk die. If he goes ahead with the lawsuit, the international talk about it will never die. What should have gone on the history books as a set of impressive Russian victories, will instead be remembered as ending with a messy scandal. Another relevant element is that there appears to have been a personal relationship of some kind between Tatyana Totmyanina and Yevgeny Plyushchenko, so that will inevitably be remembered, too, and remembered as possibly the real reason why T&M felt more comfortable on the alternative tour.
I feel that, whether Yevgeny wins or loses this lawsuit, Russian figure skating, on the whole, loses. This is a period when Russian children need inspiration to skate, because the old financial support system is not there, and the new support systems are not yet fully developed. I think there is nothing inspiring in this lawsuit.
I shall attempt to answer your question as to why some people think Yevgeny should "just let it go".
First of all, I think we all *do* realize that this is a matter of business, and that Yevgeny has every legal right to try to sue over it. However, there is more here than just business.
Why do nations want their skaters to win Olympic medals in the first place? For glory, and for the respect of other nations, I would say. There is nothing glorious about one Russian Olympic Champion of 2006 suing other Russian Olympic Champions of 2006. On the contrary, it is an embarrassing absurdity in full sight of the entire world, a thing to be avoided. There is a saying, "snatching victory from the jaws of defeat". This is the opposite; it is "snatching defeat from the jaws of victory". How can such a mess be made out of a multiple Olympic victory? This is terrible Public Relations, terrible.
I consider the above to be the most important reason why Yevgeny should consider just walking away from this, and letting the talk die. If he goes ahead with the lawsuit, the international talk about it will never die. What should have gone on the history books as a set of impressive Russian victories, will instead be remembered as ending with a messy scandal. Another relevant element is that there appears to have been a personal relationship of some kind between Tatyana Totmyanina and Yevgeny Plyushchenko, so that will inevitably be remembered, too, and remembered as possibly the real reason why T&M felt more comfortable on the alternative tour.
I feel that, whether Yevgeny wins or loses this lawsuit, Russian figure skating, on the whole, loses. This is a period when Russian children need inspiration to skate, because the old financial support system is not there, and the new support systems are not yet fully developed. I think there is nothing inspiring in this lawsuit.
Kinda late, but does anyone know what Evgeni eventually did? Also, I can't remember in which forum I read this, but why did Totmianina and Marinin drop out of Champions on ice also? Did they even do a couple of shows? Because I've seen pictures of then on the cast photo and one of Marinin taking part in the reheasals. I think someone said they dropped out because of the tension with Plushenko, but I mean, two contracts breached within the same season?
Anways, sorry if I'm late on realizing this, but I'd like to know what happened...
Kypma
PS Last question... are they still planing on coming back next year? I think Plushenko oficially is.
Anways, sorry if I'm late on realizing this, but I'd like to know what happened...
Kypma
PS Last question... are they still planing on coming back next year? I think Plushenko oficially is.
According to this http://vrn.kp.ru/daily/vrn/doc177312/ (though I read it with the translator) he said that now officially the TT&MM issue is going to court. He mentions COI & TTMM but I don't understand what he says.
Plush for sure is coming back, he starts training in Spain this August, and depending on how the training goes, he might be back for CoR, if not he'll be back for sure by Russian Nats.
Plush for sure is coming back, he starts training in Spain this August, and depending on how the training goes, he might be back for CoR, if not he'll be back for sure by Russian Nats.
I don't know if the choice is entirely Plushenko's. I know little about business, but aren't there sponsors to consider? His choice might be to keep the money people happy or let T & M get away with unprofessional behavior.
It is unprofessional behavior. If T&M did break a contract, they should be held accountable. Blaming Plushenko would be like blaming the victim.
Also, Plushenko's reputation with the public isn't all that matters. He also has a reputation as a businessman. I doubt he would want others to believe they can trash their agreements at will. You shouldn't let people walk all over you unless you like it. That's life.
It is unprofessional behavior. If T&M did break a contract, they should be held accountable. Blaming Plushenko would be like blaming the victim.
Also, Plushenko's reputation with the public isn't all that matters. He also has a reputation as a businessman. I doubt he would want others to believe they can trash their agreements at will. You shouldn't let people walk all over you unless you like it. That's life.
Actually that's exactly what Plushenko said when he was asked about why he is suing, he said that he didn't want that in the future, other skaters will follow TT&MM example and walk away from contracts like nothing is wrong.
As for the sponsors, I guess you are right. I mean it's one thing to sponsor a tour when you can say that you have two reining olympic champions in it, especially because a lot of the advertisement were done with TT&MM in it (nor even Irina was promoted, and I do think Irina is more popular than TT&MM). As for this tour in particular, as far as I understand it, besides the sponsors' money, there was a lot of Plushenko's own money in it.
As for the sponsors, I guess you are right. I mean it's one thing to sponsor a tour when you can say that you have two reining olympic champions in it, especially because a lot of the advertisement were done with TT&MM in it (nor even Irina was promoted, and I do think Irina is more popular than TT&MM). As for this tour in particular, as far as I understand it, besides the sponsors' money, there was a lot of Plushenko's own money in it.
