I've never read a blurb like this in the tv guide describing the World Championships

[lavender]

Just over a month ago at the Olympic Games, the world was reminded once again of the unpredictable nature of figure skating, when slip-ups by favorites Irina Slutskaya and Sasha Cohen paved the way for relative unknown Shizuka Arakawa to win gold. So predicting with any level of certainty who may emerge a world champion tonight in Calgary, Alberta, after the ladies' long program seems fruitless at best. Just relax and enjoy.

:lol I thought it was funny and a little sad that they don't know who Arakawa seeing that she won one of the World champions titles between the last Olympics. Michelle, Shizuka and Irina won but they decided to ignore who Shizuka is.

[bronxgirl]

To the average American, Arakawa was unknown. She wasn't hyped in Time. Newsweek, or SI. Arakawa may be known to the figure skating fans, but to the millions of Nascar fans, her name drew a blank. (Then again, I don't know the names of any of the Nascar drivers either...)

[Jarrett]

Actually Shizuka was picked by SI to medal.

[lavender]

Well most of them need to pay attention and do their research if they are going to write about any sport. They would have known that if Shiz came with her game then she could be a factor.

[UGG]

I know! It is so annoying! My god the woman is a World Champion for goodness sake, she has more of a resume than Cohen!

I was really annoyed after SLC when everyone said Sarah came out of nowhere to win. I was like um hellooooo she is the world bronze medalest, not to mention she had already beat MK and IS at Skate Canada.

"Coming out of nowhere" to win would be someone like that girl from Jordan. I mean even Rochette winning would not be "coming out of nowhere", as she has had success on the senior circuit. Emily and Kimmie I would also put in the "coming out of nowhere" category.

[attyfan]

Well most of them need to pay attention and do their research if they are going to write about any sport. They would have known that if Shiz came with her game then she could be a factor.

If the sportswriters had mentioned Shizuka, the bulk of the American population still wouldn't know who Shizuka is. Irina gets a lot of press because of her comeback, just the way the American public got introduced to Oksana Baiul very quickly, but Shizuka hasn't spent a lot of time in the US, hasn't toured here much, and, so, remains comparatively unknown.

[moskva]

many american papers and broadcasters r americentric. this is not meant to enflame or bash america, it's just a statement of fact. they assume that if somebody is unknown to the general public in america, they r unknown, period. a british or canadian paper would never be so self-centered as to print something like that. they r more aware of the world outside and realize that the universe does not end at their borders.

[amielou]

A columnist in my parents' pathetic local paper called Shizuka "an unknown unranked teenager".

Uh-huh. I e-mailed the poor uninformed woman that googling Shizuka's name would have at least provided her with her correct age, but I never got a reply.

I don't understand why the press can't check their facts about skating.

[electrictroy]

To the average American, Arakawa was unknown.

You mean there are other countries besides America, Canada, and Iraq?

WOW. It's like a whole new world is opening before my very eyes.


;)

[lavender]

many american papers and broadcasters r americentric. this is not meant to enflame or bash america, it's just a statement of fact. they assume that if somebody is unknown to the general public in america, they r unknown, period. a british or canadian paper would never be so self-centered as to print something like that. they r more aware of the world outside and realize that the universe does not end at their borders.

I told my mom that this bugs me to no end. I was glad that since Michelle wasn't there that someone from another country won in the ladies field (some unknown) because I swear that the once every four year journalist and fan think an American lady or little girl is entitled to win every time.

[Shallah]

Oh boy that is worse than the people in articles who said it was Sarah Hughes competing at Turino instead of Emily! And then there were people who said Sarah herself 'came from out of no-where' to win SLC. People I knew who are olympic only skating watchers were shocked when I said Sarah had won bronze at the last world championships. it is sad that people know so little about the sport :(

[Krista]

not to mention that this worlds isn't THAT hard to predict lol. They make it sound like there's no way we'll know who will win. There are about 3 skaters who have a shot at it. Sasha, Fumie, and Joannie. IMO. Possibly Elena.

[lasaslav]

LOL, Electrictoy!