My horrible secret (Irina's illness)

[Miss Eggplant]

Okay, I know the "Irina is sick again" thread was closed, and I think it was because people kept up with the steroid controversy (so please, let's just NOT talk about that, or the details of the illness at all). But I do want to be honest and express a few things other MK fans might be feeling, as well.

My confession: When I first saw that thread, I felt this awful little burst of hope/happiness that maybe Irina would be too sick to perform her best or maybe even miss the Olympics. I KNOW that is disgusting, but hear me out before you beat me up. I immediately felt absolutey horrified with myself for reacting that way, but I couldn't help it. And I suspect I might not be the only Michelle fan to have those fleeting thoughts. I just happen to be admitting it.

The truth is, I don't really want Irina to be sick. I don't want her to be sick because I don't want any human being to suffer, and she certainly doesn't deserve ill wishes just because I happen to favor another skater.

I also don't want her to be sick because I want her to go to the Olympics and perform well. She is an amazing skater (again, not my cup of tea, but you can't ignore the girl's accomplishments or athleticism) and everyone would be robbed a little if the best can't be at the Olympics. It doesn't mean as much if the top competitors aren't there, right?

And, selfishly, I'd love for Irina to skate cleanly and have Michelle come out and do even better and win.

So why did I feel that shameful little joy at the thought of Irina's illness? Because for half a second, I thought everyone else might have a chance. I'm not talking about Irina going out there and skating well and winning. Heck, I totally believe she can do that and win fair and square. I have no problem with that. I do have a problem if Irina makes mistakes and anyone (I don't care who -- Sasha, Michelle, Miki, Kimmie, ANYONE) skates a technically and artistically beautiful program and Irina still wins because she's Irina and doing beillmans like crazy and the judges and Russian federation are tilting the results her way. I just want it to be fair. And I guess, for one second, I thought that something as drastic as Irina being out of the picture could make it more fair for everyone else.

So that's it. I just wanted to admit it. I'm a human being and I couldn't help feeling this way. I'm sure I'm not alone but I also hope everyone else is with me in realizing that of course it would be awful if she is ill right now, and of course I want her to get better, and of course I want to see her in Torino and watch whatever happens unfold. I'm hoping for Irina's health, Michelle's continued recovery, Sasha's calmed nerves and a great experience for Kimmie. Let's see what these ladies can do.

[aaronts]

i'd also like to see Michelle beat her when she's at her best - which apparently is also when she's on her deathbed.

she's not invincible. let Michelle, Sasha, Shizuka, & Fumie skate to their full potentials & beat her sickly sad self. i'd love to see it & will remian hopeful~

[amielou]

Miss Eggplant...I had the same sort of thoughts. And for the exact same reasons, because I don't want to see her win unfairly and I'm afraid that will happen. I also don't want to hear her saying God gave her an unfair win because of her illness--like she did after last year's Euros.

Another thought on her illness, without bringing up the meds (please...let's not discuss the meds anymore ever on MKF!!), is that I have to wonder how smart it has been for her to continue to train and compete with that kind of a health issue. I know that injury and pain is chronic for elite athletes, but vasculitis is a totally different thing, and maybe not worth the risk.

[TalyaJa]

Hi Miss Eggplant,

You are only human. When I heard that Michelle wasn't competing at Nationals, asked for a medical bye to be placed on the team, I was a little crushed. The reason I felt down was because of the controversy that was sure to follow. I haven't had a lot of time to look at papers, follow the news. I go to school part-time, work full-time and started a Partylite business. I digress this is about your email. I had not heard that Irina was ill. I hope she does well; matter of fact I wish all our Olympians lots of success. A week from Friday some will begin their first Olympic journeys and others will return to challenge themselves.

Michelle has always been my favorite skater. I have watched her progress through ups and downs. She has always maintained such grace and dignity.

[Nitts]

I would never wish illness on anyone. Michelle can beat Irina either way if she skates clean and has a COP friendly program that kicks butt. I hope to see them both on the Olympic podium. Actually, if Michelle can't win, I'm hoping it will be Irina.

[3Flutz3Lip]

Here comes confession time.

I had the same thought I when saw that thread. I know, it is terrible but it was gut reaction.

[RA5CViggie]

I'm not offended and I admit that my initial thought was half to feel sorry that Irina is sick again and half "Dang, if she is sick and MK pulls off gold, everyone will say that she only won because Irina was sick".

You know, whether people admit it or not, I think some of MK's competitor's fans probably thought the same thing when MK was injured.

[adri]

There is something very wrong when people want Michelle to win so bad they rejoice when Irina gets sick.

That's called idol worship.

[pluto3658]

There is something very wrong when people want Michelle to win so bad they rejoice when Irina gets sick.

I don't seem to interpret that from statements on this thread. No one seems to be "rejoicing" about Irina's illness. It's actually quite sad, Irina's health and Michelle's injuries.

There will be much speculating in Turino if these two ladies are not healthy, many will ask "what if" questions and spark more discussions than are truly necessary.

[Sharon]

No, it's called being human. And I didn't see anyone here rejoicing. There is something very wrong when people come on a specific skater's board and cause trouble by making insidious remarks.

That's called mean.

[kittyjake5]

There is something very wrong when people want Michelle to win so bad they rejoice when Irina gets sick.

That's called idol worship.


Don't be foolish. Next you will be calling us devil worshippers.

[pianohabebi]

Don't feed the trolls...:troll

[kwancierto de aranjuez]

There is something very wrong when people want Michelle to win so bad they rejoice when Irina gets sick.

That's called idol worship.

This is a Level 3 Trollship behavior for insulting, bashing, and instigating. +2 GOE for getting reactions from peeps.

[KwansPrayerWarrior]

I think we should let this thread grow into a "Prayer for Irina" the same way we are for "How is MK Doing"? thread. I think it would be sweet for us to do this. :angel

Also, I wonder how much Irina worries about her mother being sick. Her mother is on dialysis and needs a kidney transplant. Sometimes the waiting list can be YEARS, which has to be about 90% agonizing for Irina AND her mother. :(

[adri]

I feel so bad for Irina.

It doesn't matter who wins or loses. I just want her to be healthy and happy.

[kwancierto de aranjuez]

SkateBuddha, SkateGod, SkateAllah, SkateVishnu please bless Irina with health! But bless Michelle with an Olympic performance of her life plus gold. But make sure Irina stays healthy...

:bow :bow :bow :bow

[jesskate]

OK I'm game...Dear God, Please help Irina thru this difficult time. Help her to be at her best at the Olympics. It won't be much of a competition without her and Michelle skating their best. The sport needs these veteran ladies to show all the little jumping beans what skating is supposed to be about! Amen

[KwansPrayerWarrior]

Father God, I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth.....what MissEggPlant said rings true with me.....I haven't been exactly innocent in my thoughts about Irina, only because I feel so for Kwan :( But that doesn't make it right YOUR eyes.

I ask for your forgiveness, as well as everyone else's forgiveness here if they are offended by what I just wrote....God, in front of all these people on this message board, I repent, in front of them and YOU.

I want Irina to be healthy for the Olympics. I want this to be a fully attended games. :angel I know Irina stresses about her mother when she has to travel abroad, and that just adds to her physical stress as well as un-necessarily adding to her mental and emotional stress :(

God bless Irina Slutskaya and heal her heart and her fevers in Jesus' name :angel

[naganosilver98]

I felt the same way, but for the reason that I feel the judging may be more fair without the Russians pulling strings however they do that sort of thing. I just don't feel like the judging with Irina has been fair to other skaters who aren't double-jointed and can't perform biellman after biellman after biellman. In my book there are two skaters who can perform a great biellman and they are Denise Biellman and Lucinda Ruh, no one else.

Irina is the reason why the biellman position gains so many points, I doubt if another girl did them from another country, and Irina didn't do them that the ISU would hold so many points on it. I feel like the points given to that position is how Irina wins most anything she's been in under CoP. It's unfair.

I hope that Michelle wins the gold, but I'd also love it if somehow she and Irina tied for gold :) They're both worthy champions of two totally different styles.

~Cassie

[Heather]

As stated in the FAQ, when a thread is closed, it is closed for a reason and another thread should not be started in its place.