Shooting From the Lip-Russian Female Gold Pairs Skater Leaves Salt Lake, Whines Over Sharing Medal

The Canada National Post ^ | February 25, 2002 | National Post Staff

[codebreaker]

'You know...

Jamie Sale and David Pelletier are good skaters and good guys.

But then, why don't we have three gold medals? (at the Olympics)

Russian skater Elena Berezhnaya, after she and partner Anton Sikhardulidze were forced to share pairs figure skating gold.

[andysandmikesmom]

I saw an interview yesterday, with I think the President of the IOC, and he said the only reason that the Canadian pair was given the Gold medal, was because of the admission of the French judge...had she not admitted to being coerced, and signed a paper to that affect, they would not have given the Gold medal to the Canadians....that is why when Russia wanted a Gold Medal for their womans figure skating champ, and the South Koreans wanted the gold for their short track skater, they were all denied

He said, that even if someone wins a Gold Medal by mistake, say like a mathmatical error, or some sort of fluke, they are powerless to change the results...

But when they have proof that judges are coerced or taking bribes, they then have the power to overturn the final decision...

[Utah Girl]

I loved the exhibition skating the other night. I felt for Michelle Kwan, her exhibition program was so beautiful, she was crying at the end, and you could see her thinking "Why couldn't I skate like this last night?" I think the reason Sarah Hughes skated as well as she did was because she wasn't aware she could win the gold medal. No pressure there, I think it got to Michelle and to Irina Slutskaya. Slutskaya had a wonderful exhibition skate also, she needs to change her programs a little bit. I know she is choosing more classical music to up her presentation marks, but her programs need to emphasize her perky personality. I just felt her long program weighted her down the other night.

[jude24]

They are right you know..they should give theirs back!

I disagree... as far as the Russians know, they received it legitimately. I've not heard them implicated yet.

Not that I'm anti-candian-- heck, I'm good friends with several from the St. Catherines area.

[CRAW]

worked in the concession stand of an ice rink when he was 14!

So that’s where IOC get their judges

[1rudeboy]

First of all, I was paraphrasing the Russian male. And if the press treated me like they treated the female (and like some of the folks are treating her on this thread), I would give them the "royal salute" as well.

I must emphasize, the Russian skaters did nothing to bring this upon themselves other than show up. Who can blame them for having a sour taste in their mouths after this mess?

[CRAW]

I even watched curling one afternoon when I was taking care of my grandmother.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[afraidfortherepublic]

BTW, you asked about favorite moments last night on another thread. I think the 'Children of the Light" has to rank right up there, along with Dorothy Hammill and Scott Hamilton's terrific performances. Then there was Charlotte Church and the young man she sang with -- and Gloria Estefan -- and...Mr. & Mrs. Tryanasaurus. Oh there was just too much. Those closing ceremonies were beautiful, but the Children of the Light were the best -- especially when they sang 'Happy Trails'. I liked the 'Child of Light' too.

And why didn't they let Donny and Marie sing more?

[Utah Girl]

Josh Groban sang with Charlotte Church, doesn't he have a wonderful voice? Donny Osmond is going to be performing at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony on March 7, and NBC will be showing it. I have to admit, I liked the Children of Light also. And Happy Trails I thought was a nice western touch to saying goodbye.

[Utah Girl]

I know I sure had to keep my eyes wide open while I was watching curling. I would have fallen asleep except that my grandmother gets agitated if no one is there to answer her questions. I just don't get curling, I've read the rules, gone to the curling website, still don't get it. I do like the fact that the curlers look just like normal people though.

[rbmillerjr]

I dont understand why they "should" have a sour taste in their mouths. It was never a consideration to strip them of a gold medal. The medal was given to the Canadians because 1)there were written corruption charges made 2)the overall feeling that with possible corruption and most experts agreeing the Canadians outskated the Russians - the Canadians should be awarded a Gold Medal as well.

Now, if there was an attempt to strip the Russians of Gold and give to Canada - they they would have a legitimate claim to a gripe. Otherwise, most see the Russian female's complaint as sour grapes, bringing about calls that she should be grateful to have the Gold as opposed to the Silver which she earned.

[rbmillerjr]

Utah, you state, "I've read the rules, gone to the curling website..."

for that alone you deserve the Freeper Olympic Spirit Award.

[Utah Girl]

Thanks! I proudly accept the honor. :)

[rbmillerjr]

In honor of Pelltier you get gold, silver, and bronze elements cascaded in that beautiful French crystal of Albertville to symolize the consistency of French judging, affadavits and counter affadavits...Wear it proudly.

[RummyChick]

and here I was wondering why they didn't show up for the closing ceremonies ;-)

[razorback-bert]

I didn't watch a minute of the games, where is my medal?

[rbmillerjr]

if you appeal you get the Mettle Medal. But only after having an international sport Federation created with real by laws.

[Polybius]

The Russians were good but Berezhnaya has been whining and beeen a poor sport since the descision. Her partner, in contrast has been a gentleman.
***********************************
Sale was whinny until she got her gold. Her partner was a lot more diplomatic about the whole thing.

As I explained to my wife, it's not about the Russians or the Canadians or the French. It's about about WOMEN!

Henry Higgins said it best, "Why can't a woman be more like a man?"

Please excuse me. I have to don my asbestos underwear and dive for cover now ;-)

[Great Dane]

Hey Dane...I'm sure I heard that the French Skating Federation (or Union) was the first to put pressure on her to in essense trade the Russians in Pairs for the French in Dance. The French won in Dance and would have done so anyhow!

Yes, if only the judges would their preconcieved ideas at home, all the skaters would be better of, and the French did earn gold.

[Great Dane]

#87........ He almost fell and she wobbled on all her landings, if memory serves me right, he also pulled out of a triple, made it a double.

[F16Fighter]

"As far as I'm concerned they can take their damn Olympics, together with The UN, and don't let the door hit them in the A**!"

Here, here...

The extremely pompous and tacky festivities, and vain, egomaniaical participants have somehow superceded the basic Greek ideal of simple games and competition. How the Olympics managed to morph into a freaking circus, complete with everything except midgets shot out of cannons during the Salt Lake City festivities escapes me.