Eric Radford and Vanessa James to compete in pairs together for Canada

[TAHbKA]

I thought she said Eric had approached Aliona in 2014 behind her back as well, but that it didn't work out. Aliona asked Meagan's permission to skate a number with Eric, but Meagan didn't realise that they actually had a try-out rather than just skate for fun.

Um.. what's the difference? For skating for fun they would have to try some elements and steps. For tryouts they would have to try the same. I think

 

[Xela M]

Um.. what's the difference? For skating for fun they would have to try some elements and steps. For tryouts they would have to try the same. I think

Yes, no difference in what they would actually do on the ice (I think) but pretty different in terms of the rationale behind the skate.

 

[karmena]

Yes, no difference in what they would actually do on the ice (I think) but pretty different in terms of the rationale behind the skate.

"With a dirty eye everything seems dirty" ( an old proverb)

 

[Skate Talker]

The Winnipeg Free Press had an article today dated yesterday about the new team. Here's the link, though I don't know if it would be accessible to non-subscribers - https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/amateur/the-return-of-radford-574308302.html

The article is fairly brief and pretty bare-bones but does include Meaghan's feelings about how things happened.

I can understand the attraction of finding new energy in a new partnership where big improvements can be made daily. Everything is just happening at an exciting meteoric pace.

Once one gets close to the achieving as much as one can, no matter how high that level is, the daily work to try to find minor improvements, or even just to maintain the high level, must seem more like a very slow and unexciting grind.

I too am excited to see what the new partnership will bring, even though I also feel quite sad for Meaghan and the for the apparent end to her plans for show skating.

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

If there is no proof Megan said those things, then why speculate the worst. She has always exemplified great sportsmanship and diplomacy in the past IMHO.

Unfortunately, people don’t record conversations or videotape on a daily basis . Let’s just say that figure skating is a small world at a certain level and people do know each other.
I personally pointed these things out because their was a narrative by some posters that Meagan was such a victim in all of this and just wanted to point to some things that might explain others. I think I have kept it respectful but I do realize how it could have been a hard experience to go through. Emotions are real but I questioned how these emotions are being expressed. That doesn’t take way all her qualities and accomplishment.

 

[Japanfan]

Unfortunately, people don’t record conversations or videotape on a daily basis . Let’s just say that figure skating is a small world at a certain level and people do know each other.

Which is a perfect situation for gossip to spread and stories to get changed in the process.

 

[ChiquitaBanana]

Which is a perfect situation for gossip to spread and stories to get changed in the process.

Of course it could. You can take what you want. It is still just a skating board. In any conversation you may fall on chitchatters, first hand information or some skater’s acquaintance. You take what you want from it. No resentment.

 

[zigzig]

I am living for all these old folks couples - kinda odd that they all tend to be in pairs which seems especially injury prone as compared to dance. But more power to them.

 

[hanca]

I am living for all these old folks couples - kinda odd that they all tend to be in pairs which seems especially injury prone as compared to dance. But more power to them.

Pairs injury prone in comparison to ice dance? I see. Shabalin had some knee surgeries, Novitsky had to retire because of injuries, Mozgov had some injuries, Katsalapov had shoulder as well as knee or ankle injury…

 

[mjb52]

Maybe because there are fewer competitors to begin with so more opportunity?

 

[TAHbKA]

Yeah, bring Olga Bestandigova back!!!!

 

[MsZem]

Yeah, bring Olga Bestandigova back!!!!

With or without that Turkish footballer?

 

[Sylvia]

... according to the Olympic Charter she will need an exception by the IOC to compete for Canada, since she competed at a championship for another country (France) within three years of the Olympics. (By about a month.) I've read here that both the Canadian and French Olympic Committees have to agree as well.

insidethegames.biz article today (May 13):

IOC approve change of nationality for figure skater James from France to Canada

The International Olympic Committee has approved the change of nationality for former French figure skater Vanessa James, who will now be able to comp...

www.insidethegames.biz

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved the change of nationality for former French figure skater Vanessa James, who will now be able to compete for Canada at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

James will be eligible to represent Canada at the Games with her new skating partner, former world champion and Olympic medallist Eric Radford.

 

[soogar]

I think that Eric Radford is kind of chasing Adam Rippon's star. Maybe I feel that way because of the joint interviews he did with Adam, but I think Eric is intelligent and can see how Adam's openness about his homosexuality played into fame and riches after the games. Eric has a similar and larger opportunity with Vanessa James. Right now it is all about diversity and Vanessa is a very commercial skater. She looked great on Battle of Blades, and attracted a lot of casual viewer attention at the Olympics. My colleagues who are not skating fans couldn't stop talking about the French team. From the clips they shown of their training, they are a very attractive team and their story is a compelling one. Regular fans are not going to hold Vanessa responsible for her former partner. In fact, it adds sympathy to her story and her pairing with Eric Radford in time for another shot at the Olympics (if they make it there) is going to be portrayed like a fairy tale. I wouldn't be surprised if they asked Vanessa to be on Dancing with the Stars.

 

[Sylvia]

I think that Eric Radford is kind of chasing Adam Rippon's star. Maybe I feel that way because of the joint interviews he did with Adam, but I think Eric is intelligent and can see how Adam's openness about his homosexuality played into fame and riches after the games.

Radford came out publicly in December 2014 (before Rippon did in October 2015): https://www.outsports.com/2014/12/4/7321931/eric-radford-gay-figure-skater

ETA: I don't recall joint interviews - can you cite one or two? They are very different personalities and media coverage in the U.S. vs. Canada isn't really comparable, IMO.

Here's Eric's Instagram post & photo of the two of them after the 2018 team event medal ceremony that I remember seeing in various articles at the time: https://www.instagram.com/p/BfGGo7KhiiM/

Radford also tweeted the same photo and it's embedded in this 2/19/18 TMZ article, for example:

Gold Medalist Eric Radford, Canada Embraces Openly Gay Athletes

Justin Trudeau makes gay athletes feel lucky as hell while President Trump makes them feel like second-class citizens.

www.tmz.com

 

[soogar]

Radford came out publicly in December 2014 (before Rippon did in October 2015): https://www.outsports.com/2014/12/4/7321931/eric-radford-gay-figure-skater

ETA: I don't recall joint interviews - can you cite one or two? They are very different personalities and media coverage in the U.S. vs. Canada isn't really comparable, IMO.

Here's Eric's Instagram post & photo of the two of them after the 2018 team event medal ceremony that I remember seeing in various articles at the time: https://www.instagram.com/p/BfGGo7KhiiM/
Link is included in this article:

Out figure skater Eric Radford says he’s “lucky” he’s not Adam Rippon

"I don’t have to deal with that whole political side of things."

www.gaytimes.co.uk

I saw a lot of joint coverage of the two. I think I mixed him up with the skier but either way, he will get a lot of attention with Vanessa and I believe more commercial opportunities with her as well because there will be a lot of US and European interest, in addition to Canadian.

 

[tony]

I saw a lot of joint coverage of the two. I think I mixed him up with the skier but either way, he will get a lot of attention with Vanessa and I believe more commercial opportunities with her as well because there will be a lot of US and European interest, in addition to Canadian.

I think you’re confusing him for Gus Kenworthy, who had also went on to have many opportunities outside of the sport but still plans to go to Beijing.

 

[Sylvia]

From the clips they shown of their training, they are a very attractive team and their story is a compelling one. Regular fans are not going to hold Vanessa responsible for her former partner.

I agree with this.

I think you’re confusing him [Radford] for Gus Kenworthy, who had also went on to have many opportunities outside of the sport but still plans to go to Beijing.

Yes and (OT) Kenworthy switched to GBR in December 2019:

Gus Kenworthy: US Winter Olympian switches to Great Britain

Olympic silver medallist Gus Kenworthy switches allegiance from Team USA to Great Britain before the 2022 Winter Olympics.

www.bbc.com

 

[Sylvia]

Eric Radford posted this on ice pic last week ("Short program vibes with Monsieur Cizeron. "): https://www.instagram.com/p/COv4rgopKsA/

 

[Sylvia]

Radford is the lone male athlete (8 total) in Estée Lauder's new #ShadesofCanada campaign (he has a brief voiceover in the video promo): https://www.instagram.com/p/CPDjHtqB-4E/
(also posted on Eric's Instagram)

ETA that both shared the same IG story clip of a nice throw 3F (I think) today.

 

[Sylvia]

Vanessa made the same story clip I saw last week into a reel video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CPT_zhMDkHi/

ETA: She also shared an Instagram story clip of them landing sbs 3S.

 

[Brenda_Bottems]

In fact, it adds sympathy to her story and her pairing with Eric Radford in time for another shot at the Olympics (if they make it there) is going to be portrayed like a fairy tale. I wouldn't be surprised if they asked Vanessa to be on Dancing with the Stars.

I hardly find "Dancing with the Stars" to be the pinnacle of fame and riches,dear. And very little is sympathetic about changing countries and sashaying into a last-ditch Olympics experience,likely denying hard-working pedigreed Canadian kids their rightful Olympics.

-BB

 

[soogar]

I hardly find "Dancing with the Stars" to be the pinnacle of fame and riches,dear. And very little is sympathetic about changing countries and sashaying into a last-ditch Olympics experience,likely denying hard-working pedigreed Canadian kids their rightful Olympics.

-BB

What do you mean by "pedigreed"? Eric is as pedigreed a Canadian skater as any, more so since he contributed to a team gold and individual pair team medal. Vanessa was born in Canada and was a successful pairs skater for France. It's nice that France was able to benefit from a Canadian citizen's abilities.

He and Vanessa individually, have greater pairs accolades than any of the current Canadian teams. If they can form a competitive pairs team within a season they deserve to go to the Olympics. There are lots of "hard working" skaters who never make it to the Olympics. Since when was an Olympic experience "rightful"?

 

[Brenda_Bottems]

What do you mean by "pedigreed"?

Athletes who are not only born in the country they represent at the Olympic Games,but maintain their citizenship and continue to train in the country of their birth. I wish Miss James the best—however I am not fond of athletes representing more countries than promiscuous ladies have partners,particularly when the Olympic Games are concerned.

-BB

 

[antmanb]

Wow so I guess Aliona's gold must have annoyed you, and Volosozhar before that too?

 

[quartz]

I’m kinda still wrapping my head around any non-Canadian on this board using “pedigree” and “Canadian” together. When did we get so fancy? Do we have to give up our back pocket mickeys and stop picking discarded spliffs outta the ashtrays now? I can’t wear Chanel, doesn’t go past size 4. This is not working for me at all.

 

[Brenda_Bottems]

Wow so I guess Aliona's gold must have annoyed you, and Volosozhar before that too?

Extreme indifference. I was more invested in the progress of Castelli+Shnapir.

-BB

 

[Excidra]

I hardly find "Dancing with the Stars" to be the pinnacle of fame and riches,dear. And very little is sympathetic about changing countries and sashaying into a last-ditch Olympics experience,likely denying hard-working pedigreed Canadian kids their rightful Olympics.

-BB

Pedigreed Canadian kids? :sideeye:

Vanessa is an exceptional skater. If her skating abilities allow she and Eric to lead the Canadian pairs field, then the issue isn't her it's the lack of progress the other teams have made. Don't hate the playa, hate the game.

 

[allezfred]

I think someone is attempting satire and the fact people are taking her seriously shows how badly it has failed.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

I think someone is attempting satire and the fact people are taking her seriously shows how badly it has failed.

I think it's astonishing that anyone thinks of BB as anything but a trolling pseud.