The Russian Dolls have transformed figure skating. But at what cost?

The Guardian ^ | Eoin O'Callaghan

[CondoleezzaProtege]

To be fair, I find the title (referring to them as "dolls") rude...Some of these skaters are objectively incredible in their own right. But I do sense there is a sort of formulaic-ness..given the gimmicky signature elements they all share...Like the arms over the head during jumps, etc...similar music...It is sort of like they're being churned out...And I think the country has a lot of control over the judging panels too...

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Ping!

[TigerClaws]

Anti-white hatred going over to sports coverage now.

Imagine them doing such a story on, say, Simone Biles? Never happen.

Part of the propaganda effort to create white hatred.

[KC_Lion]

They all seem like very accomplished young women.

We need to make sure that Female competitive sports do not become an endangered species.

Thank you for the article C.P.!

[outofsalt]

"Puberty can vastly change how a skater performs"

In a world with "trans" athletes I find this refreshingly quaint

[KC_Lion]

For your interest.

[Cecily]

It's just branding or a gimmick, like the Fierce Five and the Fighting Four in Olympic women's gymnastics.

[jimfree]

Reminds one of the evolution of women’s gymnastics in prior decades.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Interestingly, the ethnic group of some of these skaters (Tatar Muslims) have historically been discriminated against in Russia...

[pangaea6]

Yep agreed.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

Russia’s top skaters are of Tatar Muslim descent ironically.

In other news, this American is too young to compete but has Russian coaches. To me, Russia’s best contributions are usually in the field of graceful artistry, musicality, etc…

https://youtu.be/uB2ncUSFNFw

[Tennessee Nana]

Some male will manage 5 in the woman’s competition and those girls will come in 2nd ...

[Scarlett156]

*groans*

[simpson96]

“what’s the cost of success – physically, emotionally and psychologically – for this collection of raw, developing children?”

The Russians don’t care, it’s all about medals and glory.

These girls who do quads are just that - girls, not women. By age 17 or 18 at best, they’re washed up, either from injuries, or from nature taking its course with their bodies finally developing beyond a pencil shape.

[BenLurkin]

What exactly is this article complaining about?

Sports change. Women’s balance beam and floor whatsit changed.

Heck..if they want something to complain about they should be griping about the Designaged Hitter.

[dfwgator]

The U.S. Men’s Heterosexual Figure Skating Championship - SNL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1ZYTQToX9A

[Chauncey Gardiner]

Bill Clinton says four rotations is no big deal.

[dfwgator]

I'll take Katarina Witt!

[Mr Rogers]

It has become gymnastics on ice. The balance and grace that used to be part of it has been phased out. All that remains is how many jumps can you do on the ice. “Figures” have been eliminated - in more ways than one!

[tet68]

It’s just physics, the tighter they can be to the center
of rotation the faster they can spin.