There's an old saying that true champions don't just know how to win, they also know how to lose.
Last night in the men's figure skating free skate, Evan Lysacek skated a stronger, more well rounded program than defending Olympic champion Yevgeny Plushenko and won the gold. Plushenko had to settle for the silver.
Unfortunately, Plushenko couldn't accept this outcome with the class and sportsmanship that is expected of a competitor at his level. During the medal ceremony he shifted uncomfortably, barely waved to the crowd and rolled his eyes during "The Star Spangled Banner."
He continued his childish act by criticizing Lysacek in the post competition press conference saying, "you can't be a true men's champion without a quad." Lysacek, who is capable of a quad, chose not to do the risky jump and instead used his artistic abilities to up his score.
Someone needs to explain to Plushenko, that while the competition was close he lost fair and square. That means it's time to man up and act like the champion that you want us to think you are.
It has long been known that Plushenko is severely lacking in artistry and has always relied too heavily on his jumps. Since he took no steps to improve his talent while his competition steadily gained on him, he really has no one to blame but himself.
It is also worth noting that while Lysacek skated clean, landing all his jumps in near textbook fashion, Plushenko bobbled on his quad and was tilted in the air on many of his other jumps, lowering his grade of execution scores.
When the competition is as close as it was last night, you have to be perfect. Lysacek was and Plushenko wasn't, it's as simple as that.
Plushenko has always been cocky and obnoxious, but there is absolutely no call for the poor sportsmanship he displayed last night. He basically spit in the face of everything the Olympics stands for.
Showing posts with label stephanie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stephanie. Show all posts
Friday, February 19, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Figure skating reignites the cold war
Tonight's coverage of the Olympics is all about the men's figure skating free skate. With the top three skaters so close they're in a virtual tie, whoever wins the free skate will likely win the gold.
In first place is Yevgeny Plushenko of Russia with 90.85. He is no doubt a talented skater, however, he relies heavily on his technical abilities which leaves him vulnerable artistically.
In second place is reigning world champion Evan Lysacek of the US with 90.30. He is much stronger than Plushenko artistically and has solid technical skills. If he can put them both together, he will win gold.
Finally, in third place is Daisuke Takahashi of Japan with 90.25. He skated the short program of his life to put himself in contention for gold. He is a beautiful skater who often leaves all his emotions on the ice. If Lysacek and Plushenko falter and he skates clean, look for him to get the gold.
Since the short program Plushenko and Lysacek have exchanged trash talk in the media, with Plushenko questioning why Lysacek didn't do a quad in his short and Lysacek questioning Plushenko's artistry.
This gamesmanship has led many analysts to dub this new rivalry a new cold war.
The other part to this story is that the skaters in fourth through seventh place are only six to eight points back. So if they skate clean and one of the top skaters messes up, they have a chance to make the podium.
These skaters include Nobunari Oda of Japan, former world champion Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland, charismatic US skater Johnny Weir and Canada's own Patrick Chan.
Any one of these men is capable of winning a medal. This kind of close competition is what makes the Olympics so exciting.
The real surprise of this is that in recent years the women's competition has been the marquee event. However, I think after the excitement of the men, it will feel anti-climatic.
In first place is Yevgeny Plushenko of Russia with 90.85. He is no doubt a talented skater, however, he relies heavily on his technical abilities which leaves him vulnerable artistically.
In second place is reigning world champion Evan Lysacek of the US with 90.30. He is much stronger than Plushenko artistically and has solid technical skills. If he can put them both together, he will win gold.
Finally, in third place is Daisuke Takahashi of Japan with 90.25. He skated the short program of his life to put himself in contention for gold. He is a beautiful skater who often leaves all his emotions on the ice. If Lysacek and Plushenko falter and he skates clean, look for him to get the gold.
Since the short program Plushenko and Lysacek have exchanged trash talk in the media, with Plushenko questioning why Lysacek didn't do a quad in his short and Lysacek questioning Plushenko's artistry.
This gamesmanship has led many analysts to dub this new rivalry a new cold war.
The other part to this story is that the skaters in fourth through seventh place are only six to eight points back. So if they skate clean and one of the top skaters messes up, they have a chance to make the podium.
These skaters include Nobunari Oda of Japan, former world champion Stephane Lambiel of Switzerland, charismatic US skater Johnny Weir and Canada's own Patrick Chan.
Any one of these men is capable of winning a medal. This kind of close competition is what makes the Olympics so exciting.
The real surprise of this is that in recent years the women's competition has been the marquee event. However, I think after the excitement of the men, it will feel anti-climatic.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Shaun White is an alien
Shaun White can't be human. That's the only reasonable explanation for what he does. The way he moves on a snowboard is ridiculous.
In the finals of the men's halfpipe he was so fantastic on his first run that he had all but wrapped up the gold medal. So on his second run which turned out to be a victory lap, he busted out his signature double McTwist.
According to nbcolympics.com in a McTwist the athlete rotates 540 degrees in a backside direction while doing a forward flip. White does this move as a double, which is frankly a little insane.
The remarkable thing about White is that he is so good he advanced the sport light years ahead of where it was four years ago when he won his first gold medal. All his competitors had to up their game just to keep up with him.
His response was to go out and do a move so wicked and crazy no one could touch him. You get the sense that all the other snowboarders know that they're just competing for second place.
Now that he has two gold medals I'm wondering what could possibly be next for White as he pretty much owns snowboarding.
In the finals of the men's halfpipe he was so fantastic on his first run that he had all but wrapped up the gold medal. So on his second run which turned out to be a victory lap, he busted out his signature double McTwist.
According to nbcolympics.com in a McTwist the athlete rotates 540 degrees in a backside direction while doing a forward flip. White does this move as a double, which is frankly a little insane.
The remarkable thing about White is that he is so good he advanced the sport light years ahead of where it was four years ago when he won his first gold medal. All his competitors had to up their game just to keep up with him.
His response was to go out and do a move so wicked and crazy no one could touch him. You get the sense that all the other snowboarders know that they're just competing for second place.
Now that he has two gold medals I'm wondering what could possibly be next for White as he pretty much owns snowboarding.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
All Olympics all the time
I love the Olympics. Summer or Winter, I don't care. I watch it all. So you can imagine my excitement that the Olympics started during a four day weekend.
It all began with the opening ceremonies, which were really lovely. Everyone was wondering how Vancouver would compete with the spectacle of Beijing. However, the Vancouver ceremonies were much more intimate and wondrous than China.
The first day of competition featured the women's moguls, where the US won gold and bronze. What amazes me about the moguls is the intense beating the athletes' knees must take. You know these people have to all need surgery when their careers are over.
Day two began the first day of figure skating, which is one of my favorite sports. Chinese pair Shen and Zhao were two time bronze medalists who came out of retirement to try for gold one more time. They set a world record with their score in the short program and went on to take gold with a spectacular free skate, while their teammates Pang and Tong took the silver.
The other big story of the weekend was Apolo Ohno winning silver in short track speed skating and tying Bonnie Blair as the most decorated Winter Olympian. He was almost out of the medals when two of his competitors crashed and he and teammate J.R. Celski skated in for silver and bronze.
After only four days of competition these Olympics have proven so far to be everything that you could want from competitions at this level.
They're exciting, awe-inspiring and heart-stopping. And just think, curling hasn't even started yet.
It all began with the opening ceremonies, which were really lovely. Everyone was wondering how Vancouver would compete with the spectacle of Beijing. However, the Vancouver ceremonies were much more intimate and wondrous than China.
The first day of competition featured the women's moguls, where the US won gold and bronze. What amazes me about the moguls is the intense beating the athletes' knees must take. You know these people have to all need surgery when their careers are over.
Day two began the first day of figure skating, which is one of my favorite sports. Chinese pair Shen and Zhao were two time bronze medalists who came out of retirement to try for gold one more time. They set a world record with their score in the short program and went on to take gold with a spectacular free skate, while their teammates Pang and Tong took the silver.
The other big story of the weekend was Apolo Ohno winning silver in short track speed skating and tying Bonnie Blair as the most decorated Winter Olympian. He was almost out of the medals when two of his competitors crashed and he and teammate J.R. Celski skated in for silver and bronze.
After only four days of competition these Olympics have proven so far to be everything that you could want from competitions at this level.
They're exciting, awe-inspiring and heart-stopping. And just think, curling hasn't even started yet.
Monday, January 25, 2010
New Orleans vs. Indianapolis: A dream matchup
In the National Football League it's very rare that the best two teams end up in the Super Bowl. However, this year that's exactly what happened.
All season long the Colts and Saints dominated the rest of the NFL going undefeated for several weeks and humiliating their opponents in blow out games.
Now everyone will get the championship game they've been waiting for. Even better is that both these teams are extremely likable, so with no clear villain fans can just look forward to a great competitive game and be excited no matter the outcome.
There's no doubt the the city of New Orleans deserves to celebrate a championship team, but at the same time, who doesn't like Peyton Manning?
So, for fans of good competitive football, this year's Super Bowl is win-win.
All season long the Colts and Saints dominated the rest of the NFL going undefeated for several weeks and humiliating their opponents in blow out games.
Now everyone will get the championship game they've been waiting for. Even better is that both these teams are extremely likable, so with no clear villain fans can just look forward to a great competitive game and be excited no matter the outcome.
There's no doubt the the city of New Orleans deserves to celebrate a championship team, but at the same time, who doesn't like Peyton Manning?
So, for fans of good competitive football, this year's Super Bowl is win-win.
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