Olympic Team Event In?

[Gidget]

^ I'm with ssmith17. I love the idea. If they can structure it similarly to gymnastics, where there are some strong individuals, say, on the Greek team, but they are not strong enough to do all-around. It gives more opportunities for specialists.

There's no way they can structure it like gymnastics, which is made up of 4 or 6 events. What are you suggesting for figure skating? That you can compete only in "jumping" or "spinning" in the team event?

[smartblade]

I may seem like a bad idea now just because it seems that there are a few countries that dominate, but really its purpose it to have the sport grow countries where figure skating has not reached its potential (South Korea, China, Spain, Italy) or reboost countries whom used to have strong legacy in figure skating (Germany, Czech). Or have countries who are passionate about sport start funding more into figure skating such as Austrailia.

[leafygreens]

I think this is awesome. At last figure skaters will have the chance to compete for more than 1 event. I always thought it unfair how gymnasts could win 4,5, or even 6 medals, while figure skaters could only compete for 1!!

If you think its a terrible idea then you must also think that team events in gymnastics, equestrian, and ski jumping, are also terrible ideas despite the fact they have been around for years and have provided some brilliantly memorable Olympic moments.

Can you imagine if there had been a team event in Vancouver and Brian Joubert had a chance to redeem himself after his disaster in the single event? Mao rematch with Kim? THe Germans getting another shot at the Chinese pairs?

The potential for this could be great for figure skating.

I agree, but how is this going to work? They don't even mention any details about this team event. Is it like the World Team trophy? This kind of event is basically going to be 4 or 5 countries duking it out, and the smaller countries won't even have a chance. I guess it's like that in gymnastics too, though.

There's no way they can structure it like gymnastics, which is made up of 4 or 6 events. What are you suggesting for figure skating? That you can compete only in "jumping" or "spinning" in the team event?

Sort of. There should be jumping and spinning for individual events, and synchro for the team event. The team event doesn't make as much sense. Anybody know why they won't allow "additional athletes"? They're just trying to squeeze more out of athletes who are already going to be exhausted. I think making them perform more programs is a bad idea. It should be a jump, a spin, a throw, and a twizzle, and be done with it! Having everyone perform their SP's and then LP's for the finals is going to take so much time. I thought they were already concerned about "lack of ice time" for additional events, so this makes no sense. I do agree that there should be some kind of additional event for skaters to participate in. Having individual jump and spin events will be perfect for people to show off the most advanced moves in skating, from quad jumps to throw quads to the fastest inventive spins. Stuff that's too much to put in a program with other elements. We have ski jumpers who are judged on one jump alone, so why not with skating? But I don't think that's what the IOC has in mind for the team event.

[manhn]

The new team format was to start with 10-12 teams and the first round and to only include 1 short program for men, ladies and pairs and 1 short dance.

I do not see the ISU and IOC wanting to stage an event with 40-48 performances in one day.

If you think its a terrible idea then you must also think that team events in gymnastics

Yes.

[Vagabond]

Can you imagine if there had been a team event in Vancouver and Brian Joubert had a chance to redeem himself after his disaster in the single event? Mao rematch with Kim? THe Germans getting another shot at the Chinese pairs?

Earth to ssmith17! Earth to ssmith17! Come in please!

South Korea didn't (and doesn't) have any pairs or dance teams. It did have some men who were age-eligible in 2010, but the men's team didn't qualify for the Olympics.

China's men didn't qualify either.

France didn't qualify for the ladies' competition in Vancouver, but even if it had, it probably wouldn't have sent anyone. The only age-eligible French ladies at the time were Candice Didier, who was recovering from injuries, and Gwendoline Didier, who also had health problems and wasn't even sent to Euros.

[l'etoile]

the horror... all those burdens and stress that would fall onto skaters, omg... plz plz let it be scheduled at least a week AFTER the main disciplines have finished. But I'd never understand how to make sense of it. Also, the reason that Olympic moment is special for many ppl is that it's almost once in a lifetime chance for many athletes, and it's all focused on that one moment with tremendous stress/adrenalin stumbling with tears and joys from the athletes themselves and everyone watching across the world. Talking about being able to have redemption or another chance at the same event, IDK... maybe I don't know bcuz I don't really understand how other sports with group competition is dealing with it or whatever.

[manleywoman]

There's no way they can structure it like gymnastics, which is made up of 4 or 6 events. What are you suggesting for figure skating? That you can compete only in "jumping" or "spinning" in the team event?

Sorry, was just coming back to clarify my thoughts . . . I know for the Team Event it wouldn't be structured like Gymnastics. But I would like to see the inclusion somehow of specialists for spinning, jumping, and footwork so that smaller countries that wouldn't have the full team would be able to compete. But that's a separate conversation.

As for the Team event, yes, a few countries will dominate at first. But I have a hard time beleiving that countries that are lacking in just one of the 4 disciplines wouldn't scurry to build those programs, which would ultimately help skating in general.

BUt I agree it should be AFTER the individual events.

[millipied]

I would assume and hope that lower ranked athletes will be given chance for team event. That way only those higher-ranked athletes who truly wants will participate while also giving chance to so many deserving athletes who do not currently make the team.

[leafygreens]

I do not see the ISU and IOC wanting to stage an event with 40-48 performances in one day.

Like I said, how is there going to be enough time for this? The excuse for no more skating events has always been "not enough ice time." Something about "equality for women" - this whole thing sounds like BS to me, a last minute scramble to add something that will take no additional resources. It's going to be half men competing in the team events anyway, so how will there be more equality?

[itsartemis]

I absolutely love the idea. In my country (Norway) the most important medals to win are the team competitions (relay for cross country skiing and team competition for ski jumping) because so many things have to come together and there is a lot of excitement during the competitions. it's always the ratings winner. The athletes love representing their country together. It is a big honor to be picked for the team.

If this will encourage countries to build strong programs in all disciplines I think it is positive for the growth of the sport.

Figure skating is one of the sports where the athletes compete very little compared to other sports and the athletes only have one shot at a medal in each championship. I think it is great they will get one more opportunity to take a medal home for their country.

[Vagabond]

As for the Team event, yes, a few countries will dominate at first. But I have a hard time beleiving that countries that are lacking in just one of the 4 disciplines wouldn't scurry to build those programs, which would ultimately help skating in general.

I'm sure similar arguments were made when baseball and softball were introduced as Olympic sports. It didn't happen, and those sports are no longer included in the Olympics.

And it's not as if there are many countries that are really "lacking in just one of the 4 disciplines." For example, although Finland sent entries to Europeans in three discipline, its male singles skater and its dance couple didn't make it out of the Preliminaries. In fact, they weren't even close to qualifying for the Short Program.

[mia joy]

I must say I'm a little bit torn.

I agree that the only countries fighting here will be Russia, USA and Canada, which makes it a totally weak idea. On the other hand, I also agree with the statement that figure skaters deserve more Olympic medal chances than just one, like athletes in so many other disciplines. And of course, it would be great to have even more FS during Olympics for me as a fan!

But then I have to say I feel really bad for the poor synchro skaters - why not giving them a chance to live their Olympic dream? I'm sure audiences all over the world (not necessarily FS fans - I for one do not like SS very much) could really like a spectacular sport like this.

Duh, I really don't know what to think about this...

[SmallFairy]

so the idea is that one/two athletes competes pr country from each disclipine, and then the scores are put together?

[l'etoile]

But then I have to say I feel really bad for the poor synchro skaters - why not giving them a chance to live their Olympic dream? I'm sure audiences all over the world (not necessarily FS fans - I for one do not like SS very much) could really like a spectacular sport like this.

Duh, I really don't know what to think about this...

totally agree with you.

[DinDonShamu]

I'd rather see extreme jumps/spins/footworks/etc events as proposed by gkelly(?) in the other thread added to the Olympics There are so few countries that are reasonably strong across all four disciplines that they really should just mail the medals now and be done with it.

[BigB08822]

I have always been a huge fan of this idea, I have even asked for it years ago! I see no reason why this is a bad idea. If you don't think these athletes are capable of skating an extra performance then that is just silly. They skate run-throughs every day and are able to get up and walk the next day and do it all over again. These are athletes, not porcelain dolls.

[genevieve]

^ I'm with ssmith17. I love the idea. If they can structure it similarly to gymnastics, where there are some strong individuals, say, on the Greek team, but they are not strong enough to do all-around. It gives more opportunities for specialists.

Isn't that what the individual competition already provides? Specialists (i.e. singles vs pairs/dance)? Unless as someone said they break the competition down to just spinning, certain jumps, some kind of "freestyle" moves, etc - which I sincerely hope isn't the case.

I'm not excited about this in the least.

[GarrAarghHrumph]

There should be jumping and spinning for individual events, and synchro for the team event. The team event doesn't make as much sense. Anybody know why they won't allow "additional athletes"?

Money and facilities and gender balance. I mean, my goodness, for synchro, they'd need to add significant numbers of dorm rooms, they'd probably need to add a separate ice facility or two, and it'd skew female. They are actually trying to shrink the Olympics in terms of participant numbers, not add significant numbers of athletes.

[julieann]

If this will encourage countries to build strong programs in all disciplines I think it is positive for the growth of the sport.

Figure skating is one of the sports where the athletes compete very little compared to other sports and the athletes only have one shot at a medal in each championship. I think it is great they will get one more opportunity to take a medal home for their country.

I agree, some countries are so focused on one discipline that athletes who want to do another discipline are forced to go to another country. Maybe now they will focus on growing all 4 disciplines within their own country or they can't participate.

I agree that the only countries fighting here will be Russia, USA and Canada, which makes it a totally weak idea. On the other hand, I also agree with the statement that figure skaters deserve more Olympic medal chances than just one, like athletes in so many other disciplines. And of course, it would be great to have even more FS during Olympics for me as a fan!

But then I have to say I feel really bad for the poor synchro skaters - why not giving them a chance to live their Olympic dream? I'm sure audiences all over the world (not necessarily FS fans - I for one do not like SS very much) could really like a spectacular sport like this.

Duh, I really don't know what to think about this...

But you see some countries dominate in other sports as well, that just happens. As far as letting syncro in, that would be cool but as of right now it seems to be a money issue with so many athletes they would have to add.

I have always been a huge fan of this idea, I have even asked for it years ago! I see no reason why this is a bad idea. If you don't think these athletes are capable of skating an extra performance then that is just silly. They skate run-throughs every day and are able to get up and walk the next day and do it all over again. These are athletes, not porcelain dolls.

I agree, what are we talking skating an extra 7 minutes?

[caseyedwards]

I like more medal possibilies for skaters!