How Pairs Broke Free From Russia’s Grip

New York Times ^ | February 16, 2010 | Jere Longman

[C19fan]

One of sport’s towering winning streaks ended Monday night, when gold medals were awarded in Olympic pairs skating and not placed around the necks of a couple from the former Soviet Union or Russia. The last time this happened — 1960 — was a year before the Berlin Wall was built and two years before the Cuban missile crisis. Since 1964, Soviet or Russian skaters had won the pairs competition in 12 consecutive Winter Games, bringing the sport some of its most iconic names: the Protopopovs; Rodnina and Zaitsev; Gordeeva and Grinkov.

[C19fan]

Looks like Russia is ramping up again to challenge the Chinese in pairs in 2012. The Russians brought artistry to the sport.

[skeeter]

I had a feeling Xue & Hongbo were gonna win the gold medal before the competition even started, all they had to do was come close. I suspect the judges were awarding them points for sentimental reasons.

Their program was fine, but there were others who were just as good IMO.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

I never saw anything like it before in world class competition, where simply not falling down was enough to get you a medal.

[C19fan]

This was brought up in an earlier post but the new scoring system encourages loading programs with jumps, etc and so we have more mistakes.

[Tax-chick]

The Russian skaters had intense ballet training, which gave them a distinct and elegant style, absolutely a joy to watch.