TV and Movies

[Krimpette]

She should never have been allowed to participate. I don't buy into the fact that she may have drunk from the same glass as her grandpa, thus the banned substance!  Phooey!!!!!  But I feel sorry for her because I'm sure she's too young and naive to understand what her coaches were doing to her.  I have no doubt she could be an awesome skater even without the drugs.  Having said all that, I wish the Russians would be banned from Olympic competition.  There's always a doping scandal surrounding some of their players. 

I found it very depressing to watch the whole thing after the performances were completed.  And the cameras following that poor little girl all the way back to behind the curtains.  It's just sick to make sure everyone can see her crying! 

[TurnerGal]

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@stevieb wrote:

All the problems with Russia's lack of integrity, at least where this is concerned, could be resolved if other countries could step-up and end their domination of women's figure skating. Their rotten antics aside, as long as they have the best women skaters in the world, they're going to be on top of the podium.

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I agree with you to a point,  I think it maybe the last 10 years Russian woman have dominated this sport. Almost all of them at one point were coached by the blond Russian woman.  There are articles out their now talking about how her athletes are mistreated, they have eating disorders and have to practice so much that they are left with life long scars.  I don't think this type of coaching should be tolerated.  Maybe some of the US woman skaters could be more competitive if they were forced to train this way.  I don't think that is acceptable.

[JDavid]

I did watch it this morning and it crossed my mind she made sure her performance was not perfect. It was very strange to watch what went on after the skating ended. 

[xrayrox]

I read that she was ticked off cuz she didn't get the gold. She said everybody has a gold but me. I hate skating, I'm done. Supposed quotes from her . Wow

[Mumof2]

@xrayrox  I read that too.  What tremendous pressures the coaches of the ROC put on these figure skaters.  How could they enjoy their sport!!  They are so young and what a life they lead in terms of leaving their families at times to live the life of an elite athlete.  

[pupwhipped]

So much about this figure skating event (fiasco) feels like the exact opposite of what the Olympics are supposed to be about. Thanks so much to all who had a hand in making this mess happen.

[Big Joanie]

I made the statement myself ..that they could have given her

that drug without her knowledge ....

Well that's the Russians for you ... Suprised ??

[colliegirls]

I was thinking the same thing, that she was instructed to skate badly so there would be no battle or lawsuits for the medals. Since the other top two were also Russian, that is all that matters to that country.

[Big Joanie]

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@colliegirls wrote:

I was thinking the same thing, that she was instructed to skate badly so there would be no battle or lawsuits for the medals. Since the other top two were also Russian, that is all that matters to that country.

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I think I may be beginning to agree with you ....therefore the reason for

her upset ....also may be the reason for the other skaters tannie ....as

maybe she thought with the best out of the way .. she would take the gold ..

But I agree ... they probable did not want all the bad press for holding

up the ceremony ....and more scrutiny .....

[vsm]

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@stevieb wrote:

All the problems with Russia's lack of integrity, at least where this is concerned, could be resolved if other countries could step-up and end their domination of women's figure skating. Their rotten antics aside, as long as they have the best women skaters in the world, they're going to be on top of the podium.

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The point, though, is that it can't fairly be determined who's "best" when some of the competitors are doping.  In fact, doping was the reason that Russia was prohibited from fielding entrants under the Russian flag, and was instead required to do so under the name "Russian Olympic Committee." Talk about a slap on the wrist -- Russia couldn't have cared less, as it brazenly doped yet again. Russia's documented history of breaking the rules that apply to every other country should have kept it out of the Games altogether. Shame on the IOC.  They have no more integrity than Russia.