Posted on 05/22/2025 7:42:30 PM PDT by simpson96
Katarina Witt of the German Democratic Republic placed 1st in this portion of the competition. Her blue, skirtless feather-trimmed costume for a showgirl-themed short program was considered too theatrical and sexy, and led to a change in the ISU regulations dubbed the "Katarina rule" which required female skaters to wear more modest clothing; skirts were required to cover the buttocks and crotch. In 1994, skating a Robin Hood-themed program, Witt stated, "I wore the Robin Hood – like a man's costume – because I didn't want to be accused of seducing the judges this time."
Katarina Witt - 1988 Calgary, Figure Skating, Ladies' Short Program [video]
You sure they don’t love a girly man who can’t play tennis? I think that’s Milosh said ;)
I remember Witt vs. Thomas in “the battle of the Carmens,” as each skated to the same music from the opera ‘Carmen.’
Back then, many of us viewed the Olympics as a competition between the USA vs. the communists. We heard that, in East Germany, the government chose skaters like Katarina Witt at a young age and trained them to compete. OTOH, our American athletes paid their own way, and Thomas didn’t just skate. She also was a college student.
The media really played up the difference between these two athletes who grew up under two systems of government. I still remember watching the competition with relatives. We hated the East German (Witt) and really wanted the American (Thomas) to win.
A pointless rule given that half the routine usually involves one leg up over their head.
I was at the long program in ‘88; Witt excelled, Debbie Thomas screwed up but the star of the evening was Elizabeth Montgomery of Canada....
I was also there the night of the Battle of the Brian’s and saw Brian Boitano win the gold
See post #24- i was there that night- Thomas was awful; missed jumps, double footed landings...went from first to third
See post #24- Manley was the star that night but was too far behind to overtake Witt....remember in those days there were three separate components to figure skating; the actual figures then the short program then the long program.
I was also there the night of the Battle of the Brian’s and saw Brian Boitano win the gold
[STAN]
What would Brian Boitano do
If he was here right now?
He’d make a plan, and he’d follow through
That’s what Brian Boitano’d do
[KYLE]
When Brian Boitano was in the Olympics
Skating for the gold
He did two Salchows and a triple Lutz
While wearing a blindfold
[CARTMAN]
When Brian Boitano was in the Alps
Fighting grizzly bears
He used his magical fire breath
And saved the maidens fair
[STAN & KYLE]
So what would Brian Boitano do
If he were here today?
I’m sure he’d kick an ass or two
That’s what Brian Boitano’d do
The US Heterosexual Men’s Figure Skating Championship
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1ZYTQToX9A
The Russians have a few extra letters in their alphabet. One of them is pronounced “shch”. The young lady’s name was Tourishcheva. Wasn’t she elegant and gifted? She was the last of the normal-sized women in gymnastics. Since then, it’s been all about 4’8” little pixies who have far less trouble turning flips than your average woman.
I saw here in Playboy. Built like a brick s house.
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