(most recent on top)
TO: ISU and IOC
Your so-called "sport" stinks like a pig farm. Until you clean up the ethical manure pile of corrupt judging, and institute more objective scoring, ice skating should be banned from the Olympics. TV Viewers should tune out. Consumers should boycott products of companies that sponsor collusion and corruption.
At this Olympics, DISQUALIFY ALL of the ICE SKATERS from RUSSIA and FRANCE! Send them all home in disgrace. Take back the Russian medals stolen under false pretenses, or bought with kickbacks from endorsement money. Prevent the French from benefiting from collusion. Stop nationalistic chauvinism.
A sign at one competition read: "Drug test the athletes, POLYGRAPH THE JUDGES!" Yes! And, if they fail the polygraph, or are otherwise found to be cheating, then DISQUALIFY the ENTIRE NATIONAL TEAM of athletes from that judge's nation. When the consequences for corruption are severe, the judges should not risk ruining their team's chances. If the entire team risks disqualification, then nationalism will apply pressures to send more honest judges to sports competitions.
Tell the IOC and Dr. Jacques Rogge: it's pathetic to just give Sale and Pelletier the Gold Medal they won and deserve anyway. Unless you also clean the manure out, the stink from the judge's box will still smell.
"All federations are involved . . . Everybody is trying to keep the votes for their own country . . . That's corruption. . . . I'ts so dirty." (Alexander Zhulin)
Yes. Let's punish every Frenchman and Russian associated with skating and the Olympics for the actions of one emotionally unstable French judge. Yes, they and all their friends and associates, their children and their grandchildren, for generations yet to come, till the end of time. Yes indeed. That seems fair to me.
BTW. Am I the only one who has noticed that it is only non-gold medalists and non-medalists who are storming the castle with torches and pitchforks. Where are the former gold medalists and coaches of gold medalists? I haven't noticed any of them saying their victory was tainted by politics and asking where to send their medals back. Could there be an element of sour grapes in some of the bitching and moaning?
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Forget about the Russians for a second...I know nothing about figure skating, but I know a clear winner when I see one. The Russians can protest all they like about this contest outcome, but it will only show their leaders to be of poor sportsmanship.
If the IOC bends to their demands and awards Olympic gold to Irina Slutskaya the games are doomed to become a mockery. If they do it simply to prove that the games judges have shown bias...then let them walk out. And don't let the door slap them on the butt on the way out!
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The second set of gold medals awarded to the Canadian pair were obviously different from the ones that the Russian pair had. From the TV picture, they appeared to say something like "International Skating Union" and not 2002 Olympics. Did the Canadians receive Olympic gold medals or special gold medals from the ISU?
Paul Benneche
The medals are the same I am told. From the the pictures I have seen published and those I took at the arena the medals appear the same to me. What you and others have noticed is that the front and back of the medals are different and one team was wearing their medals backside forwards. The medals at this Olympic Games all have the same design on the front but the backs have a design specific to each sport. When the medals were manufactured nearly twice the number needed were produced to allow for ties. The leftovers end up in museums and/or storage at the IOC. Also keep in mind that though the competition is run by the ISU this is an IOC championship and the protocol regarding medals and the award ceremonies lies with the IOC. Thus, the ISU made a recommendation to the IOC regarding the gold medals, but the final decision was the IOC's.
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What a joy it was to watch the lovely original dance of the French dance team of Anissiana and Peizerat! I have felt for years that they have charisma, talent and style, and it certainly showed last night. I really hope that they will get an uncontested Gold tonight. I find it facinating the NBC has pretty much managed to ignore the first place ordinals given to Marina and Gwendal in all 3 of the dances so far and that about the only notice (other than event coverage) they've given to dance has been segments about the Canadian team! I've nothing against B&K, but what is with NBC? Allez Les Meillures!! Marilyn
The logic that drives TV is inexplicable to a mere mortal such as myself.
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I'm sure you've had too many comments on this subject, but here is one
more.
I think that the entire Russia - Canada controversy has been handled
about as poorly as possible. The judging, of course, should be counted upon
to be honest and free of anything except the expertise and the opinion of
the judges. To imagine that opinion will not enter in is foolish, to allow
political agendas to enter in is wrong. The judges should be selected from
varous countries, but there should be no nationalistic prejudice involved in
the final voting. That would, I know, be difficult to accomplish. The
Olympics should be performed as sport and artistry and judged with no regard
to nation. The medal should bring attention to the individual (team) and
not looked upon as a marketing opp. by various nations. Perhaps we need to
change "team USA" to "team World". Why not cheer for the best, regardless
for whom he/she competes?
Along with this, there should have been no second Gold awarded to
Canada. Now what happens? Are they both the silver and gold winners? How
about the poor Chinese? Do they now move up to silver? Then who gets
bronze? (Not to mention the fact that Jamie and David have skated that
program so long that the costumes could have done it by themselves! No
nerve to try something new?) Of course, no one seems to care that the
Russians have had what should have been a moment of joy and pride taken away
from them by the audience and the media. I give Anton and Elaina credit
that they are still in SLC. I think I would have gone striaght to the
airport.
Speaking of media, lets talk NBC. Sandra Bezic (please, excuse any
misspelling) is, I beleive, Canadian. I could be wrong. Canadian or not,
she obvioulsy wanted Jamie and David to win. So much for impartial
reporting. Why does the media expect fairness when they don't have it. I
am not including Scott, because I think he really tries to not let his many
friendships in the business cloud his comments. I know he cheers for his
friends, but he tries to give fair comments about the good and bad of all
the skaters. Well, that's about all you can ask from judges and
commentators alike.
Well, thank goodness (my opinion now, folks) for a couple like Anissana
and Peizerat who simply skate with such obvious talent that you simply must
acknowledge it.
Thank you for listening.
The Canadians and Russians share the gold medal (i.e., are tied). There is no silver medalist and the Chinese team remains the bronze medalist.
I agree with your comments on the media. In many cases the media - especially TV - does more harm than good. I think it was unprofessional to crown the Canadians victors before the judges' marks were even posted. The first job of the media is to report what happens without their own biases entering into it. Also, all TV commentators are former skaters chosen for their marquee value. They have no training in journalism and no first hand knowledge of judging. Few of them are involved in the sport at the eligible/association level on a regular basis and none of them do their own research.
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THEIR IS NO JUSTICE-TAKE THE GOLD MEDAL FROM RUSSIA AND GIVE IT TO CANADA-THEY EARED IT!
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as an avid sports fan, the olympics is the best sporting event ever held at any time. while not a fan of figure skating, the performance of the judges during the pairs events was horrible. perhaps the view of a sports fan not familiar with the politics of your sport would be valuable in helping you to figure out a solution to your problem. the problem is that the judges within the federations from all countries have prior commitments to other countries with respect to judging events. why would someone become interested in a sport when the outcome is predetermined? the french judge admitted she was guilty to charges exactly like that. take a look at the performances of the athletes. the russian team came very close to falling down, the chinese pair did in fact fall down, and yet they were awarded the gold and bronze medals respectively. shame on the judges! every one of them that voted for these teams, while other teams performed better than they, should be banned from voting ever again. what a farce to award two gold medals. a more fair solution would be to ban each federation from international competition for a period to include the next olympics. this would force the people in charge to see that their own programs operated fairly for the sake of their own athletes. harsh as it may be, that may be the only way for you to clean-up your mess.
sincerely,
a disgusted sports fan
I don't think it is fair to concluded from this situation that the results are predetermined, since to me that means the nine judges all got together before hand to decide the results. What we have are one or two judges who pre-decide their vote and in some cases that is enough to swing the result to their chosen skater.
I agree with your comment that if misconduct is found within a national association, then that association must pay a price. It wouldn't be fair to exclude the skaters from that country from competing, since the skaters are not responsible for any of this, but the association can still be made to pay a price. For example all judges and officials from that association could be suspended and the association put on probation until they prove they have reformed their association. If waranted officials could be banned from the sport. Specifically, If Didier Gailhaguet is found to be involved in this he should be banned from the Olympic movement and the ISU for life.
Finally, as for the problems in "my sport" -- we are not affiliated with the ISU.
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With regard to the Elena Berezhnaya & Anton Sikharulidze versus Jame Sale & David Pelletier controversy, I understand that the decision of the judges cannot be OVER-TURNED. However, this does not say that the decision of the judges cannot be SUPPLEMENTED.
I think it would be unfair for Elena and Anton to have their gold medal taken away. But it is equally unfair for Jame and Dave to NOT be awarded the medal. Clearly they were the better skaters and the world is in agreement with that by a wide margin as indicated by polls, e-mails, the press, and notables in the art of figure skating.
Especially if it is found that there was colusion between the French judge and Soviet Union judges, an apology by the International Skating Union is simply not enough! In order for the Olympics in general and figure skating competions, in particular, to be respected and perceived to be honorable, I think much more is required. The situation needs to be addressed in an expeditious and pro-active manner. My recommendation is that, if this is found to be true, the International Skating Union and the Olympics Committee should take the unprecidented action of declaring that the gold medal for this event was a tie. Two gold medals should be awarded and not a silver medal. This way, both pairs of skaters are awarded the gold medal and nothing is taken away from either.
I would appreciate it if this recommendation can be passed on to ISU President Ottavio Cinquanta.
Frank Carroll was right: "This is the worst thing that's happened in a long time in figure skating." Extreme measures are required to rectify this embarrassing and unforgiveable event.
Louis B. Fournier, Ph.D.
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If the Olympics are to be untainted then the ISU should acknowledge their tainted judging and either reshuffle the results (they could opt to remove the Gold from the Russians as the ISU removed Gold from competitors who were found with drugs after the medals had been presented in past Olympics) or if they feel this is to drastic, request that a second Gold be given and the overall results * with an explanation.
Additionally, if the collusion between the Russians and French is true and proven the ISU should penalize the countries involved by removing them from the Ice Dancing competition and give permanent suspension to the two individuals from France and Russia who judged the Pairs.
Finally, the ISU should stop the farce of not showing the country the judge is from and just reporting ISU.
Joyce Peters
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How could the judging go so haywire and the pair from Canada suffer because of it. The officials took an oath and they clearly did not uphold it. I am deeply disappointed in them. They have put a black mark on these beautiful games.
Ann
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I see the judging bullshit continues into the mens singles.........
Carol Houselog Phoenix, AZ.
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Shame on you people!!
Rick Kouk
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Once again, the judges have chosen who they want to win—not who skated best and really won the gold medal. It was clear to see that Sale and Pellitier skated best and should have been awarded the gold medal. But once again the judges voted for the Russian couple. This type of behavior from the judges is making skating fans decide not to follow figure skating because the winner is a foregone conclusion. Sale and Pelliter were definitely the best couple on the ice tonight and should have been rewarded. Down to judges who vote politically instead of for the best skaters. I, for one, am finished with watching ice skating ruled by biased judges. It will be a long time before I ever watch another skating competition.
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I guess I just need to voice my outrage at the judging of the pairs competition. Ian and Zimmerman showed "The Fire within" and The true olympic spirit with their passion and artistry on the ice. Their performance brought me to tears. Only to be stunned with the next couple beating them out with a performance that was slow and unemotional. Then Sale and Pelletier skate flawlessly and showed that same true spirit as the Russians were flawed. Unbelieveable that the judges had any doubt that the Canadians didn't deserve the gold. They need to stop going with what tradition and break the norm and go with what truely happened on the ice. If it was the other way around with the canadians having a flawed performance and winning I would feel the same way that the Russians got rooked. The system needs to be changed.
Nickey Rosol Mancester, CT
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I have totally lost all interest and faith in Olympic ice skating. Long have I failed to understand the judges ability to make the results come out in an almost pre-determined way sometimes even in spite of the scoring. Tonights debacle in the pairs skating was a sham. The Canadians CLEARLY won the gold medal, Both Russian pairs were completely lackluster and for the Chinese to take a bronze with the falls and errors makes ice skating to me, and I'm sure THOUSANDS of others, nothing but a big joke. It is time once and for all to make major chages to the judging and scoring system if there is to be any hope of restoring credibility to this sport. The judges should be completely ashamed of themselves. I will never invest any time or interest or money in competetive ice skating - and I know I am far from alone in this position.
Carol Houselog Phoenix, AZ.
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I am so disgusted at the outcome of the pairs competition that I will never watch ice skating again. I have been a big supporter of ice skating but now, the corruption and political intrigue is just too obvious and disgusting. I will never watch any ice skating again, and I will not be watching any more Olympics. You all disgust me! How come the Russians won? Tell me that!! There was no comparison between them and the Canadians. Ice Skating stinks with rotten corruption.
Anna Bowness
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Dear ISU, I have to tell you this, the results of the Figure Skating PAIRS, was a SHAME. The Judges that you select and the IOC approves, must have been watching something other than I did. Maybe the judges should be checked for drugs and/or money or favors under the table, like the athletes. This isn't the first time someone has complained about the judges and won't be the last time, until you, the ISU get off you political BUTTS and have some checks and balances with your judges, and denying that anything is wrong. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH YOUR SYSTEM. This Guy at the news conference has said NOTHING, I mean nothing. He's a fast thinking, good speaking mouthpiece, which means nothing to me and a lot of other people. He won't deal in any facts, the skating and the errors of the Russians as compared to the Canadians. He says he is not a judge, then why is HE talking to the World. (look above) For a lot of years I have refused to watch youngsters train their hearts out, only to have a GOOD performance taken away from them by POLITICS. SHAME ON YOU, ISU.
Al Holmberg
We are not affiliated with the ISU. The ISU can be reached at www.isu.org
really, that's the addy the internet gave, and i assume you are affiliated, AND SHAME ON YOU.........
Assume what you wish. Nonetheless we are not affiliated with the ISU.
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Gentlemen:
I'm sorry to the citizens of Canada. I am sorry that the Canadian pairs ice skaters got robbed of a gold medal. I KNOW THE JUDGES WERE BIGOTED. UNFORTUNATELY, THE BIGOTED JUDGES WERE FOR RUSSIA. AWARDING THE GOLD MEDAL TO CANADA, AND THEN RETRACTING TO A SILVER MEDAL REEKS! AFTER A STANDING OVATION? THE PAIRS BIGOTED JUDGES ARE OBVIOUSLY ANTI-AMERICAN TOO. YOU TWO KIDS WERE ROBBED OF SOMETHING PRECIOUS! YOU TWO ARE ONLY 20 YEARS OLD.
Thank you,
Faye C
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What we witnessed last night should be the death of figure skating in the olympics your organization has proven that it couldn't clean up its act and therefore figure skating should be removed from the olympics for ever. The Demonstration of unsportsman like tactics and evaluations by an organization that would make the Mafia resemble a group of angels Has sickened me on watching what used to be a class act but is now an act without class and has been for a number of years after watching last nights joke exercise I would say you had your results for last nights event tabulated last saturday. Why would anyone want their children involved with a organization like yours what you have done for figure skating will probably take centuries to undo.
G. Leavoy
Regarding the reference to "your organization" - we are not affiliated with the International Skating Union (ISU), but are merely simple observers of the sport.
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I generally don't get myself involved in controversey surrounding figure skating, but your sport really lacks integrity based on the judging that took place last night in the pairs competition. Do your judges really think that your sport is so uncomprehensible and the public so naive that only those with "figure skating" experience understand the intracacies of the sport. Give the public a break and give us a product that we can be assured has some level of intergrity - or I like the rest of the world - will simply just stop watching and funding your sport.
Best Regards
David Burnham
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Hi !
Just needed to let you know that after last night free style program of the couples I am simply "ashamed" and very disappointed of the judges.
It's simply non acceptable to see judges place the Canadian couple in 2nd place after the perfect performance they have done last night. For the sake of the figure skating sport and the Olympics, the Olympic committee and the International Figure Skating Association should recall that decision by looking at the video tape and do everything in their power to give the real medal those 2 Canadians skaters deserves. Why don't they give 2 couples like winners of gold medals? That way, that will prove that they do not accept unfair or maybe even arranged decisions by their judges. Many millions of people have watch that competition, so it's better to do something right now to fix that big problem of credibility of their judges right by admiting their mistake instead of loosing fans forever of that sports.
I really love figure skating, should say loved... until last night, it's a big disgrace to see that. It was maybe not the first time but obvious like that, I can't remember when that have happened.
A fan who hope that the organisation will do something about that and very fast. S. Blais
There is no mechanism in the rules to alter the final result. The best one can hope for is that a serious investigation will be made and that heads will roll if proof of wrong doing can be found. It would also be in the best interests of skating and the ISU if this investigations was done in an open way and not in the usual behind closed doors approach if any credibility is to be attached to the outcome. Beyond that, one can only hope that at the next ISU congress, to be held this summer, the ISU will be motivated to take some concrete action to implement real accountability of the judges.
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The final outcome of last night's "pair skating" was UNBELIEVEABLE,DISAPPOINTING, UNFORGIVEABLE. The old saying "life is not fair" was thrown in all of our faces and we did not like it. Everyone is talking about the blatant unfairness of the judges. I applaud the Canadian skaters, who were true atheletes, in every sense of the word.
Diane
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I want to complaint about the last night competion in Salt Lake city when the French judge tooks, Miss LE GOUGNE, Marie Reine, took a partisant and unjust decision when she gaves more points to the Russian couple than the Canadian one.
This decision is a bad one for the future of this kind of competition.
Yes very bad decision.
Francois Godin
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I am so disgusted at the outcome of the pairs competition that I will never watch ice skating again. I have been a big supporter of ice skating but now, the corruption and political intrigue is just too obvious and disgusting. I will never watch any ice skating again, and I will not be watching any more Olympics. You all disgust me!
A Bowness
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How will their (Ina & Zimmerman's) starting position for the free program affect their overall outcome? I know it will be very difficult for them to actually receive a medal considering their current standing, but having a placement so far back in the field has got to hurt them!! Am I correct? MS
I am writing this after the end of the event, but my answer would have been the same this morning. After the short program, and given their results this season, I felt the best they could have hoped for was to move up one place in the free skate. That didn't happen, and I suspect that had less to do with the start order and more to do with the fact U.S. pairs frequently don't get the respect they deserve from the European judges who tend to undermark them in my view. I would have placed them fourth in both the short and long programs.
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Hi!
As a "tourista", does that mean you will not be able to attend practice sessions and give us the lowdown on how the programs and skaters are "shaping up"?
Also, after reading the NY Times article on Sasha Cohen's repeat "run-in" with Michelle Kwan, does the USFSA have anything to say to her - as far as sitting her down and discussing protocol and explaining what "sportsmanship" (which the athletes promised to adhere to during the games) really is?
Thanks! LS
Due to security concerns the practices are closed to the public. Each skater gets two practice passes for the use of their parents and that's it. To the extent that I can meet up with my media buddies, they are passing me what they hear.
I haven't heard about USFSA saying anything to Cohen, at least as of the week before the start of the games. I also doubt they would, unless it reaches the level of becoming a major PR problem -- which it has the potential to become but hasn't yet. Kwan has been very gracious and political in her comments on the subject and is not the type to make an issue of this, but around southern California I have heard some negative comments about Cohen's self-centered attitude from others in the local skating community.