closure - finally after 8+ years!!

[joseph2004]

OK, finally, after 8+ years, I could finally say that I am "semi-OK" with the result of the Ladies' Oly.... I cried in '98; lost my sleep for days after that dreadful night in '02. But tonight, I know I will be happy and I will be cheering for the actual OGM... Finally, there's closure....

[FlashOBlue]

ITA! For Michelle, in my mind at least, a perfect picture was painted tonight. Both Michelle and Irena stand together with silver and bronze Olympic medals. Both have ruled the skating world for the past decade: Michelle for artistry and Irena for atheleticism. Shizuka never was a real threat to either, although she won Worlds once. As wonderful as she is (SA) she'll never be a legend like Michelle or Irena. And then there's Silver Sasha--what can I say? Tonight was a victory for Michelle's image and she wasn't even in Torino.

Michelle, the Kween, rules!

[SBMtnResident]

ITA! For Michelle, in my mind at least, a perfect picture was painted tonight. Both Michelle and Irena stand together with silver and bronze Olympic medals. Both have ruled the skating world for the past decade: Michelle for artistry and Irena for atheleticism. Shizuka never was a real threat to either, although she won Worlds once. As wonderful as she is (SA) she'll never be a legend like Michelle or Irena. And then there's Silver Sasha--what can I say? Tonight was a victory for Michelle's image and she wasn't even in Torino.

Michelle, the Kween, rules!


You nailed it, FlashOBlue, the two who have ruled are equal at the Olympics, and both totally deserved and are capable of the OGM. I love the results here...perfect.

[iceskaterdawn]

I agree that this is one of the first times I am okay with the results. I have gotten over 98 and 02, but I still have not recovered from 94. That gold medal belongs to Nancy and I will NEVER stop believing that. I wish I could get past that, but I just can't no matter how hard I try.

Sicne Michelle withdrew, I just wanted whoever skated a great program to win tonight, irregardless of who that was. I feel that the results came out fairly tonight.

[bluehatter]

I agree that this is one of the first times I am okay with the results. I have gotten over 98 and 02, but I still have not recovered from 94. That gold medal belongs to Nancy and I will NEVER stop believing that. I wish I could get past that, but I just can't no matter how hard I try.



Dawn, you and I are here ----><----

I still haven't gotten over 98 or 02, but 94 was a travesty beyond all recognition. I still grimace when I think of Oksana's childlike, sloppy skating in that program. The costume, the two-footed landing, everything was just a mess. I don't want to upset Oksana fans but I still remember my what-the-heck reaction when the judges scored her first.

This is the first time since Kristi that I've been thrilled with the ladies OGM. Congrats to Shizuka!

[SweetLipz]

I agree with all of you. This is the first time that I've been ok with the results too. I cried in '98 and '02....tonight was bittersweet.

Michelle should've won the gold back in '98 anyways....here's hoping she will stick around and go to Vancouver for one last time.

[Missduffy59]

It was SOOOO nice not to have a teen upstart win tonight. Instead, it was three mature ladies who have given to the sport over the years. :clap

It just seems like a waste when the winner grabs the gold and disappears from skating.

I am happy!

Karen :)

[jlim0385]

AGREED!!! no heartache in this one

[bekalc]

This Olympics wasn't about michelle. Irina and Cohen looked devestated for not skating their best after their hard work; how can that be a victory. do you think kwan wished it on them? Shiz deserved the win, but I wished all three could have skated their best.

[lavender]

What are you talking about..

[joseph2004]

This Olympics wasn't about michelle. Irina and Cohen looked devestated for not skating their best after their hard work; how can that be a victory. do you think kwan wished it on them?

No, we never thought Kwan would wish this on anyone. What's your problem Bekalc? I started this thread purely because it's closure for me; I am for once in a long time happy with the outcome. The Olympics isn't about Michelle, it's about getting up after a fall and never give up; it's about the process of trying to be the best one could be even having had to lose multiple times....This time it's victory for Shizuka, she was on top in 2004 and fell in 2005 and now climbed back on top again....what's wrong with that???? If Irina and Sasha could come back tenaciously at Worlds, or next year, or at the next Olympics, they get my 100% respect.....

[GMAN]

Michelle, Irina, and Sasha should have lunch together and chat...I'm sure Michelle would have a lot of insightful things to tell them! Even though I feel bad for Irina and Sasha, it just shows how the Olympics aren't everything. No matter what, they're all great skaters. They're all champions. They just happened to not skate their best at that moment. It's okay! I'm very excited for Shizuka and she should be so proud of herself!

[mzheng]

This Olympics wasn't about michelle. Irina and Cohen looked devestated for not skating their best after their hard work; how can that be a victory. do you think kwan wished it on them? Shiz deserved the win, but I wished all three could have skated their best.

For all I know. Cohen skated as well as she could.....in practice the max number of jumps she landed in her LP run throughs was 3 to 4 no more than that, before she left for Turino.......I think I hinted this in another thread that I'm not worried about her SP but LP. I just knew she needs miracle to land all her planned jumps. And at Nationals, she already used up one.

As for Irina. I don't know, but did her so called illness flaired up two weeks before the game? Then after she got the medicine she recovered the next day on Russian tv. .......she looked remarkable exhausted in her Olympic LP than any other of her other LP since her sick.

[bekalc]

I'm not mad at you but I felt some were saying I'm so glad it was Arakawa because she can never touch Kwan. (UNlike Sasha/Irina)

I felt given the circumstances and seeing how devested those two girls. My mom who doesn't watch skating so much felt so bad for Cohen, it was tragic for her almost. I felt the results were bittersweet. Especially since Shiz landed 5 triples, techincally not so good, just bad skating tonight. I just worry the media will crucify Cohen.

[skateworlds1]

Yes, the results are as they should be. Now maybe FS can move head. Irina, Michelle and Sasha all are now Olympic silver medalists together. I am excited already to know who the next OGM will be. Congradulations to all the medalists.

[YankeesSuck01]

This Olympics wasn't about michelle. .

Maybe in your opinion it wasn't but this Olympics to me was 100% about Michelle.

For the last week plus since she withdrew Michelle has decided my TV habits ( avoiding TV, I even sat through two very long hours of American Idol because of Michelle)She made me lots of extra money from all the hours I worked ( to avoid the TV) She even invaded my CD player (I must have listened to You Rasie me up a million times)

Sorry but just because YOUR whole Olympics wasn't about Michelle doesn't mean anyone elses couldn't have been.

I am so thrilled that it is over that I now can go back to watching Sports center instead of avoiding it.

[balletgirl2]

I totally agree with this thread! This is the first Olympics since 92 where I wasn't screaming at the TV afterwards.

[lavender]

Maybe in your opinion it wasn't but this Olympics to me was 100% about Michelle.

For the last week plus since she withdrew Michelle has decided my TV habits ( avoiding TV, I even sat through two very long hours of American Idol because of Michelle)She made me lots of extra money from all the hours I worked ( to avoid the TV) She even invaded my CD player (I must have listened to You Rasie me up a million times)

Sorry but just because YOUR whole Olympics wasn't about Michelle doesn't mean anyone elses couldn't have been.

I am so thrilled that it is over that I now can go back to watching Sports center instead of avoiding it.


Thank you. Of course the Olympics for bekalc was about Sasha. It was about Michelle for the most part at the MKF forum.

[AZSkateFan]

Did anyone else not even care what happened out there? Because, I found myself more entertained with IMs then the ladies free skates -- thats sad.

[YankeesSuck01]

Did anyone else not even care what happened out there? Because, I found myself more entertained with IMs then the ladies free skates -- thats sad.

For me there wasn't a single moment of emotionel attachment to anything I saw on the Ice.

Even watching Shizuka didn't make me smile and she looked so happy.
I felt a little bad for Fumie being she was robbed but after that no joy, no sadness, nothing.

[Cha7]

I think was the feeling everyone felt, even the skaters, was that Michelle wasn't there. I think if Michelle was there, people would have skates harder, people would have elevated there artistry, Sasha Cohen, things would have been different. Even Irina wished Michelle was here so she could skate against her.

It is just what happens when someone so beloved is not around. Now I am not saying that I find justice in the failure of others not of all. But these Olympics were about Michelle (at least from the US side of things), the moment they put a live press conference on the air announcing MK's withdrawl.

[KWS]

With this Olympics Ladies FS I've made my peace. I started following skating after the 98-99 season, but witnessed all the hype leading to SLC, when MK was persecuted for her 2002 season's decisions, then seeing how she had to bear the weight of the world on her shoulders and had my heart broken for her... Then all the attacks aimed at her between SLC and Turin, esp the injuries she had to suffer, getting the bye only having to withdraw...

The pairs competition was difficult to sit through, knowing how S/Z could have blessed us with another Turnadot, but the gold has to go to a pair in which 1 partner and their coach exemplify what champions should not be about.

Having Shiz win was more than what I could've hoped for. She has remained with the sport for a long time, has to deal with troubles of her own, and has always been under appreciated. But she didn't give up. Her Worlds 04 performance blew me away, and she has often shown so much humility.

It makes me very happy that a veteran who has overcome obstacles and shown intergrity wins the OGM. Sasha brings a lot of beauty into the sport, and Irina has at least end her career (if she retires) with a bronze medal, which she should be proud of.

Finally, Michelle has given her all and made a graceful exit (without giving any sign of retiring yet woo-ho!), showing us what "champion" means. So yes, I have made my peace. joseph2004, thanks for starting this thread.

[joseph2004]

With this Olympics Ladies FS I've made my peace. I started following skating after the 98-99 season, but witnessed all the hype leading to SLC, when MK was persecuted for her 2002 season's decisions, then seeing how she had to bear the weight of the world on her shoulders and had my heart broken for her... Then all the attacks aimed at her between SLC and Turin, esp the injuries she had to suffer, getting the bye only having to withdraw...

The pairs competition was difficult to sit through, knowing how S/Z could have blessed us with another Turnadot, but the gold has to go to a pair in which 1 partner and their coach exemplify what champions should not be about.

Having Shiz win was more than what I could've hoped for. She has remained with the sport for a long time, has to deal with troubles of her own, and has always been under appreciated. But she didn't give up. Her Worlds 04 performance blew me away, and she has often shown so much humility.

It makes me very happy that a veteran who has overcome obstacles and shown intergrity wins the OGM. Sasha brings a lot of beauty into the sport, and Irina has at least end her career (if she retires) with a bronze medal, which she should be proud of.

Finally, Michelle has given her all and made a graceful exit (without giving any sign of retiring yet woo-ho!), showing us what "champion" means. So yes, I have made my peace. joseph2004, thanks for starting this thread.

KWS, you are very welcome!!

[Sk8Fan]

You know, it's funny... I got closure in a very unexpected way tonight.

First let me start by saying I am THRILLED for Shizuka. Her program was seamless and beautiful and was definitely the skate of the night. I know this means the world to her and to Japan.

That having been said, I've come to my own personal conclusion that the Olympics are terribly overrated!

Skaters work their whole lives with the Olympics as the biggest ultimate goal, and also the media and many skating fans see it as the most important thing in a skater's career.

I look at how crushed Michelle was when she *won* an Olympic Silver and an Olympic Bronze, and again how crushed Irina was with those same results. Not to mention how devastated we all were for Michelle both times and how Irina's fans must feel for her now (I feel for Irina too, I was rooting for her). And how sick and upset I felt at seeing Michelle withdraw, seeing her tears and shock. But in reality they not only made it to multiple Olympics, they medalled each time!

So why should the lack of that one medal diminish their accomplishments, or their other titles such as Nationals and Worlds! I HATE the fact that in their own ways, Michelle, Irina and even Sasha (and I am not a fan) will be seen as "chokers" or "greatest to never win Olympic Gold" as if those 6 minutes out of 4 years with only one spot at the top can make or break their legacy to the sport.

I'm sorry, this is really meant with no disrespect to Shizuka or even Sarah 4 years ago, they skated great and I am happy for them, but the Olympics are just so... random. It's rarely about the best skater anyway, and when it is, it's a happy coincidence. So why is this the mark by which all skaters are judged?

It just seems like the Olympics only serve to put a boatload of pressure, hype, nerves and expectations on the top skaters, so more often than not someone unexpected ends up winning with a great performance with nothing to lose by going for it.

I, like so many of you, had that sad/sick feeling of surprise after watching this, knowing that if Michelle had been there she could have won. I've wanted it for her SO badly. Then I caught myself and realized that in the end it really doesn't matter.

Michelle is more than 18 minutes out of her entire career. It's what she's given in between, the beautiful exhibitions and the National and World competitions and everything else down to the cheesefests. I missed her this season and most of last season, so her placements at the big one didn't matter as much. I just wanted to see her skate. If she would have won the "important" medal in 98 and then turned pro, it might have meant more to the critics but as fans, we would have missed out on a whole lot since then.

Olympic Gold is great for the winners, it's coveted and always will be. But I wish that it wasn't so important, this exclusive "special club" where someone wins it then disappears, leaving the skaters with longevity searching and seeking for 4 years at a time to get that 6 minutes back and make it right this time. I wish it didn't mean one happy person and many others devastated and feeling like they'll always have a hole inside where that one Gold should go.

The top skaters and most mentioned names will still be who they are regardless of the lack of Olympic Gold (think Kurt, Todd, Michelle, Irina, etc). I'd love for them to have that for their sakes, if it's what they would want, but without it life will continue.

I found closure tonight because after 3 straight Olympic Games where the Ladies results were unexpected, I realized that it's really just a surprise extra, and not a career-defining necessity.

Sorry this is so long but it made sense to me at the time and I had to get it out. :)

[bekalc]

Michelle didn't skate thats why I don't understand this being about her. I can understand it a bit since she almost skated, but still its about those who skated. Actually though I remember saying not here but somewhere that i thought perhaps it should go to Shiz, really shes the good middle ground between Cohen and Irina. Not as artistic as Cohen not as athletic as Irina but the best package. As a fan of skating i can live with that, I just would have loved to see sasha skate clean. Shes so beautiful, really I think her beauty will be a legend in this sport. Still she seemed to expect it/handle it well..Cohen came of as a class act.

[Rene1999]

I totally agree with this thread! This is the first Olympics since 92 where I wasn't screaming at the TV afterwards.


Couldn't agree more. I just want the best skater to win. IMO, Shizuka is the best skater in the comp tonight.

I've never liked Nancy's skating. But it was the worst robbery of a OGM that I've seen. I was more devastated by '98 and '02, but I can't even understand defending '94. How many times I've wished Kristi stayed for 2 more year. There is NO doubt in my mind she would be a 2 time Oly champion.

[lasaslav]

Sk8fan --

I was really thinking the same thing throughout this entire evening. So much media hype. I mean, sure, the Olympics comes around only every 4 years. But what about Worlds? There is similar pressure, and in the community of the Skating World, it means quite a lot.

I think that we're seeing the dumbing down of the Olympics. To me, it will really never feel the same as when Peggy Fleming, Dorothy Hamill, etc. won gold.

[missmarysgarden]

Yes, this Olympics was closure for me, but in a different way. It gave me a perspective - a space - in which I saw Michelle differently than I ever have before. For me, Michelle grew up overnight, and I let go - the way you do (or should do) when your daughter is suddenly her own person - instead of "our girl." It was strange, because watching the Olympics for me was like watching a desperate, frantic quest for the Gold Medal, like it was the holy grail. I felt oddly glad that she wasn't part of it. I felt very calm and peaceful, like when your child comes out of the horrible agonies of adolescence when they are driven towards "something" that they think has to happen for life to be right. I'm not expressing this well, but I had this feeling that Michelle was in a different place now, a place where she is now free to be who she wants to be, do what she wants to do, be a woman instead of a child. I haven't felt this peaceful in eight years.

[karina1974]

Dawn, you and I are here ----><----

But 94 was a travesty beyond all recognition. I still grimace when I think of Oksana's childlike, sloppy skating in that program. The costume, the two-footed landing, everything was just a mess. I don't want to upset Oksana fans but I still remember my what-the-heck reaction when the judges scored her first.

ITA with you there! HOW can anyone who calls themself an Olympic judge justify giving 5.8 & 5.9 technical marks to a skater who didn't even do a triple-triple combo a la Nancy (3t-3t) or a clean triple lutz? That's the real reason Oksana won. Nancy received lower tech marks (5.6-5.7) from the same judges who gave Oksana inflated tech marks; if she had been marked properly, and Oksana too, Nancy would have won more than just 4 first-place ordinals. And Oksana skated right after Nancy, so it's not like it was so hard to compare their programs.

[porkpuff]

nobody should, least of all Cohen and Slutskaya.

This thread certainly reflects the sentiment inherent in "if I can't have you, nobody else will, either!" As a devotee of the High Order of Six Triple Kwan performances, I'm perfectly willing to admit the same.

[karina1974]

Having Shiz win was more than what I could've hoped for. She has remained with the sport for a long time, has to deal with troubles of her own, and has always been under appreciated. But she didn't give up. Her Worlds 04 performance blew me away, and she has often shown so much humility.

It makes me very happy that a veteran who has overcome obstacles and shown intergrity wins the OGM.


Hey, remember her in Nagano back in '98? Who'da thunk it that that shy skater with the juniorish program and doubled jumps would become Olympic Champion 8 years later.

[cestlavie000000]

Any skating competition whether Michelle is present or not is ALWAYS about Michelle. She is the standard that no one else can match for her beauty and expression during the program in competition. That being said.... Congrats Shizzle! I think Shiz deserved 1st and 2nd with Fumie in 3rd. As one headline said after Sasha's short program..."Michelle who?" I say Sasha who! The program was abominable worse than anything Michelle put down on Olympic ice and boy did she get lucky with the Irina melt down.

[toutestgrace]

Yes, this Olympics was closure for me, but in a different way. It gave me a perspective - a space - in which I saw Michelle differently than I ever have before. For me, Michelle grew up overnight, and I let go - the way you do (or should do) when your daughter is suddenly her own person - instead of "our girl." It was strange, because watching the Olympics for me was like watching a desperate, frantic quest for the Gold Medal, like it was the holy grail. I felt oddly glad that she wasn't part of it. I felt very calm and peaceful, like when your child comes out of the horrible agonies of adolescence when they are driven towards "something" that they think has to happen for life to be right. I'm not expressing this well, but I had this feeling that Michelle was in a different place now, a place where she is now free to be who she wants to be, do what she wants to do, be a woman instead of a child. I haven't felt this peaceful in eight years.

MMG, you expressed this very well. I have many of the same feelings. Leading up to this Olympics, I THOUGHT I could let go of the Michelle's winning or not, but it wasn't until it was all over that perspective came to me. This is the first time in my entire FS fan life (since Peggy Fleming) that I came away with a new, peaceful feeling about the significance of the competition and the outcomes. I feel like I grew out of a 'figure skating adolescence' this time. If Michelle watched the games on TV, I'm sure it will have reinforced her sense of what's important in life, in sport. It did for me. It really has been Michelle's longevity in the sport that has walked me through this attitude change. Before Michelle, I focussed all my hopes on a new do-or-die young athlete every Olympiad. I love that Shizuka skated under the media's radar and cooly skimmed across the ice to gold. And for those critics who accused Michelle of not wanting it enough, who could say that Sasha and Irina didn't want it? They surely did want it. They tried. They missed. It happens. That's truly life.

[ExoticFlower213]

I'm happy with the results.

And I'm not afraid to admit--I'm glad Sasha and Irina didn't get the gold.

I miss Michelle.

[JazDFW]

heheheh ditto here. I was sick after Nagano for a week and SLC for 2 months i cried inside for Michelle. I couldn't believe i could feel so much empathy and pain for someone i don't personally know. This time around i feel the Olympic judges got it right as far as who the deserving Champion was. Of course silver and bronze is another subject altogether but i wont go there.
Anyhow, Shiz' skate was breathtaking and amazing. The elegant costume that accentuated her slim regal frame, the beautiful arm movements, the spins, the jumps, the transitions. Everything was just perfect!
Nevermind the fact she decided to be conservative technically and downgrade the 3/3's to 3/2's. She knew after Sasha's performance she didn't need them. I'm so glad Shizuka had such an amazing comeback.

[Fi Fi Foncho]

Thank you. Of course the Olympics for bekalc was about Sasha. It was about Michelle for the most part at the MKF forum.

Imagine that. The Olympics being about Michelle at the MKF. I guess we need affirmitive action for Sasha. :lol

[skatesindreams]

I am satisfied with the results.

However, I saw nothing last night to convince me that a healthy Michelle would not have WON the OGM!

[FlashOBlue]

I haven't felt this peaceful in eight years.

Yes, it is peace I feel this morning! Those who don't absolutely love and adore Michelle will not understand this thread or this wonderful feeling of lightness and joy.

[probativev]

I agree with everything said in the original post except one thing: Shizuka will be a legend....in her home country. The Japanese will remember her as we mythically remember Dorothy and Peggy.

But we all feel vindicated that Michelle was NOT a long shot for the gold or any medal here, and we also feel vindicated because Shizuka, bless her heart, is not by any standard the best female skater out there right now. The debate has always been among Michelle, Irina and Sasha. Mao is getting thrown into the mix, but now none of these three can claim validation for being the best by the OMG.

[debbwin]

Michelle didn't skate thats why I don't understand this being about her. I can understand it a bit since she almost skated, but still its about those who skated. Actually though I remember saying not here but somewhere that i thought perhaps it should go to Shiz, really shes the good middle ground between Cohen and Irina. Not as artistic as Cohen not as athletic as Irina but the best package. As a fan of skating i can live with that, I just would have loved to see sasha skate clean. Shes so beautiful, really I think her beauty will be a legend in this sport. Still she seemed to expect it/handle it well..Cohen came of as a class act.

so bekalc, when are you starting the Sasha Cohen Forum....thinking she may need you there....to the most of us here at MKF, everything is about Michelle...duh...

[kwanette]

joseph, I appreciate your post I woke up today with a peaceful feeling, not a heavy heart like I did in 94, 98 and 02. Last night I slept better than I have since I returned from St. Louis.

I followed the competition here yesterday, not on Eurosport.As I heard that the final flight had taken the ice, I burst into tears...anyone who has ever been to a live competition knows what the electricity is like when the final six come out, particularly when the Kween competes.

I lit my "Believe" candle which graciesfriend had given me for Christmas (because as she wrote on the card "Because you believe in angels") :angel and lit the Guardian Angel candle that Sparks had given me for my birthday....and I waited.

Shiz made it easy for the judges. It's nice that there is no controversy over the top spot.

I think...that I am finally ready to move on...fingers crossed.

[kwanluv]

joseph, I appreciate your post I woke up today with a peaceful feeling, not a heavy heart like I did in 94, 98 and 02.

snip

I think...that I am finally ready to move on...fingers crossed.ITA 100% kwanette...well, for me maybe 75%, Nagano will always make me mad, but the ladies result last night helped with that pain as well.

We have a "complete" and "well-rounded" adult as Olympic Champion now. Wonderful, just wonderful. :clap

[patsue]

In all my years of following Ladies FS (1956 to 2006) I have always felt the winners of the Oly gold medal were correct--except for 4 times--1980 and Fratianni's silver--1994 and Kerrigan's silver--1998/2002 and Michelle's silver and bronze medals. No one will ever convince me that those women did not turn in gold medal skates. Like the original poster of this thread I have reached closure, thanks to Michelle Kwan. The strength of character this young woman possesses is truly awe inspiring--from her grace under presssure and her dignity in distress--she has shown me it is possible to continue on when life has left me floundering and asking why?

I think a new "exclusive club" should be formed in figure skating, The Multiple Olympic Medal winners--the ones who stayed in and perservered!

[Beth2000]

you know what I am sick of hearing? I am so sick of hearing Peggy and Tara talk about how winning the OGM and being in the club. I sit there and clinch my jaws. To me it isn't a special club. It just rubs me the wrong way. Even when Michelle finally does win the OGM, it still won't be a special club.

It was nice to see a woman win the OGM and not a teen. I hope that Shizuka, Sasha, and Irina go to World's. I was upset in 94' when Nancy didn't go. I understand why she didn't and Dawn just like you I am still upset about 94'. But, Oskana should have gone to World's. Then in 98' Tara didn't go to World's and then in 02' Sarah didn't go to World's. That just bugged me. IMO, those OGM winners should have gone to World's.

[RainbowR]

I just logged on and saw this thread and it is just how I feel! I am glad to read what many of you have written. I am so, so happy that Shizuka won the OGM, because she delivered a gorgeous, sophisticated, athletic, mature performance and was a joy to watch. I also felt completely comforted knowing that Michelle's greatest long-standing rivals did not surpass her in that singular thing: winning an OGM. Yes, I'm saying it! ITA with feelings about those past Olys and it is truly amazing how calm and relieved I feel about the outcome last night. It turned out just right.

[mzheng]

Thanks for this thread.


Yes, this Olympics was closure for me, but in a different way. It gave me a perspective - a space - in which I saw Michelle differently than I ever have before. For me, Michelle grew up overnight, and I let go - the way you do (or should do) when your daughter is suddenly her own person - instead of "our girl." It was strange, because watching the Olympics for me was like watching a desperate, frantic quest for the Gold Medal, like it was the holy grail. I felt oddly glad that she wasn't part of it. I felt very calm and peaceful, like when your child comes out of the horrible agonies of adolescence when they are driven towards "something" that they think has to happen for life to be right. I'm not expressing this well, but I had this feeling that Michelle was in a different place now, a place where she is now free to be who she wants to be, do what she wants to do, be a woman instead of a child. I haven't felt this peaceful in eight years.

I couldn't say it better.

[Kween City]

Rainbow you expressed it perfectly. I kept telling myself I could survive Sasha or Irina winning if I had survived Tara and Sarah winning. I had prepared myself for the worst which would have probably been a Sasha winwith the US media swooning over her and MK being put on the back burner. That awful feeling that I had at the Skate Idol cheesefest when Peggy and Peter and Dick to a lesser degree drooled over Shasha and ignored MK......something I will never forgive PF and PC for. As Sasha and Irina imploded and Shiz performed as a mature LADY I was OK with it and yes,realized the randomness of Olympic gold. MK's US and World medals are more impressive than O gold.

[Cha7]

Like I've said before, most favorites don't win gold at the olympics. They succumb to pressure brought on from their families, their coaches, their country and the media.

[moskva]

for me these games were anti-climatic. among the ladies there's nobody who skated with the oomph to identify her as the champion. shizuka, a great skater in her own right, skated cleaner than most, and that clinched it for her. i don't think 5 triples is a ceiling for her. but the fact that crasha got those stratospheric scores with three major jumping errors shows that the judges were ready to give her the gold if only she could keep her bottom from mopping the ice. it was a fix. before the competition started, the judges had decided that cohen would get at least the silver, the same way they had colluded to give jeff the bronze. and don't get me started on the chinese pairs. this new system is even more prone to manipulation than the old. it makes a mockery of a sport whose integrity credentials were never stellar to begin with. i felt like taking a long shower after watching the women's lp. the judging was *that* dirty.

[moskva]

as for michelle, part of me is glad she didn't take part in this farce. had she participated, she would have been clobbered with ridiculously low scores the same way fumie was. my mind always goes back to what europosrt russia commentators said a propos michelle. they said that there were flamboozed and flubbergasted by the lack of support michelle receives from her federation esepcially at the olympics. at nationals, the judges and usfsa officials swoon over her performance, but come olympics, and they act like she is not one of them. that comment is really telling. the usfsa had placed its bet on cohen, and would have sacrificed michelle in a heartbeat to guarantee their girl gold or silver.

[KWS]

it was a fix. before the competition started, the judges had decided that cohen would get at least the silver, the same way they had colluded to give jeff the bronze. and don't get me started on the chinese pairs. I don't see any collusion with Jeff's result. He was smart about putting in a quad he would fall on but gain pts so he could also do an extra triple. Evan could've gotten a medal if he hadn't bomb the SP, and Johnny skated himself out of medal contention. Need i say more about Plushy's inflated PCS when he has nothing between spins and jumps?

The Chinese pairs. First no thanx to judges for inflating T/M's PCS. What's the point since they were the clear winners? Seemed like the judges decided to judge based on what Z/Z did after the interruption and expected someone else to take care of the extra deduction. There was none. CoP needs serious tweaking. The silver and bronze would still be shared among the Chinese pairs, unless anyone wants to argue some other team should've beaten P/T and S/Z. P/T was cleaner than A/R, and Petrova and Tikono had very good PSC but they had a very low base value. Otherwise they might have ended on the podium. They were class act. I'll miss them.

The ladies- the judges have already put Sasha and Irina on the podium, which would be the natural outcome if they had delivered. The judges would never have dreamed that Shiz and Fumie were the ones who stayed on their feet. I think the PCS reflected what happened on ice quite accurately for the top 3 ladies. The problem came from awarding falls. Sasha did a 3-3 sequence to do 7 triples, which canceled out her fall and flop. If Irina did the same she could've knock Sasha off to bronze. It was a game of maths. I feel most for Fumie.

I think the USFSA has been supportive of Michelle thos Olympics. They granted her the bye despite the many people who opposed it and claimed Emily wuz robbed. They said Michelle had a great chance at the gold medal.

[ExoticFlower213]

I'm afraid I have to agree with Moskva on "the usfsa had placed its bet on cohen and would have sacrificed Michelle in a heartbeat to guarantee their girl gold or silver." They have been *dying* for years to give Sasha the gold at Nationals but she always couldn't deliver (that perfect 6.0 in Atlanta for a fall in her long program? Puh-leese). And no doubt they would have propped her up over Kwan if it came down to the two of them.

Alas, we'll never know.

But what goes around comes around..