Evan Lysacek wins gold medal; the backlash

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Evan Lysacek wins gold medal; the backlash

by Roberta Ferguson on February 19, 2010 | 7 Comments

Evan Lysacek took home the gold medal in Thursday’s men’s Olympic figure skating. Evgeni Plushenko took home the silver medal for his routine, while U.S. favorite Johnny Weir only received sixth place.

Was is a travesty on the part of the judges?

Daisuke Takahashi brought home the bronze medal, even though he fell during his performance. Weir executed his performance without a hitch.

So where was the flaw? Honestly, the flaw was on the part of the judges. This is the OLYMPICS, not the I SKATED & FELL SHOW. Seriously, where’s Weir’s medal?

Read more other opinions on how Johnny Weir got hosed here (photos) and here (with video).

AP commentary after the jump!

What are your thoughts?

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michailevskaya

I think america-worst country in the world.Their "winner" havent got a win without money.EUGENIY PLUSHENKO-IMPERIOR OF ICE SKATING!!!you are – worst.i hate you and wont you die,so much.china and Russia will destroy you.

http://intensedebate.com/people/stephenvandyke stephenv

Haters gonna hate.

Can you be sure to destroy our IRS buildings if you're coming over here. We had one guy get things started and need some people to finish the job.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Earsucker Roberta

Please, tell us how you really feel.

Guest

It wasn't so much that Lysachek won. It's that Plushenko lost. We know now that both men received the same score for artistry, but Plushenko was off in the technical aspects of his program. He was wobbly where Lysachek was steady. Also, Plushenko attempted only one quad and in the beginning of the program. Had he completed a second one in the latter half of the program, when there is an additional bonus for completed elements, he would be wearing the gold medal right now. This proves his point. The quad is the next step in the evolution of figure skating. Lysacheck did not risk enough, where Plushenko did.
Guest

Lysacek and Plushenko aside, I must disagree with that jibe you took at Takahashi. Weir's skating was alright, but nothing compared to Takahashi's short program. Takahashi's short program was more artistic, more difficult (especially his step sequences), and, in general, had a more presence on the ice. With such an amazing short program, of course he was a contender for the podium. Despite his fall during his quad, you can't blame him for it since he had torn his ACL a year ago; even so, after his fall, he did not let it affect the rest of his free skate. He skated, he fell, but what was most important was that he got back up and fought the rest of the way though. He lost massive points for falling on his quad, but his short program score made up for it. He deserved the bronze and Weir doesn't.

I'm not saying Weir's skating is bad, I'm just saying it just wasn't enough. Weir could have done better; he should have done better and he didn't.
Steph

To label Takahashi's performance the "I skated and fell show" is just insulting. I've seen Weir fans tear down Takahashi's performance in the past few days, and it's terribly ironic considering their own star, Johnny Weir has been a frequent guest of the "I skated and fell show."

While I understand their ire and disappointment (Johnny did skate really well, and clearly made an emotional connection with the audience), the judging marks are there for everyone to scrutinize. Yes, Johnny had higher technical marks, because he skated cleanly, but when it came to the performance components, Daisuke executed much harder step sequences and had way more flair to his skating. Thus, he was justly awarded the bronze medal. I'm sorry Johnny didnt get a medal despite a captivating performance, and his fans will probably always argue that it was unfair. But the judges were right on this one. An emotionally captivating, even a clean performance doesn't guarantee a medal, you always have to look at how hard the program's content is. Daisuke was tearing that ice apart with his versatile footwork, while Johnny floated beautifully along. Perhaps the audience will identify more with the latter performance, but the judges will award the former the higher marks. Just look at Michelle Kwan and how even though she delivered beautiful, emotionally captivating programs, she lost the gold both times to skaters who skated cleanly to harder content. Anyway, I am very happy Daisuke won the bronze. Those of you who aren't familiar with his former programs probably don't realize just how talented a skater he is. In many ways, he one-ups Johnny Weir in his flamboyance on ice. Johnny, for all his attitude (which I love) off ice, has a very conservative, even introspective artistry when he skates. Daisuke is calm off ice, but really exerts great personality and attitude on the ice. Again, well done Takahashi! If he had done 8 clean triples, I'm sure he would have gotten gold.