AxelAnnie
Like a small boat on the ocean...
- Messages
- 14,463
Totally agree.I watched the Olympic Trials for US ladies, and one thing stood out, which I think other skating fans might also be thinking. I know Biles is WAY ahead of the other girls. But the commentators are bothering me. As a skate fan, when I see Biles pretty much not stick her routines more often that not, all I hear from the commentators is "WOW!!! The best in the world! She'll take that!!!". I know when I explain skating to people who don't know skating that they trust me for having no bias. My bias is just good technique and execution. But are these commentators just dumbing down to the Walmart crowd? I mean when Biles bounces three feet on her landing, and the commetators don't even comment on it or just discard it, it makes me feel that I'm being lied to. Yes I can see her tightness in rotation, the pointed feet, the amplitude, I'M NOT BLIND. But shouldn't the commentators at LEAST say "Ohh... if only she stuck that landing! This is the most difficult score in the World!!!"? It just seemed like Old Fashioned American commentary where they choose to go with emotions and patriotism instead of focusing on the FACTS and well what's in front of our EYES. At least that's what I noticed about the commentary this past weekend. Biles could do no wrong, even when she did do wrong. I just want honesty. Otherwise it just appears to be American Nationalism full-speed ahead and we can't say ANYTHING negative against our "star".
ETA: It reminded me of all the Pro-Nancy, Pro-America commentators during Lillehamer. Jill Trenary (who I LURVE) was the first and only person when asked about the ladies Lillehamer field had the AUDACITY to say that she felt Oksana was a much better performer than Nancy. She was raked over the coals for daring to say something not glowing about the American star. I felt for Jill. She was just being down to earth and talking in REALITY. I'm not getting this commentary over Biles. They need to focus on her poor landings as if it is something that will set her apart from history. Without sticking the landings it'd be like an American lady who attempts a 4axel and falls out of it and the commentators are all "WOW, that's the most difficult element in history! She's perfect!!!" without mentioning the fall-out. At least for me it is.
When there is an error point it out! There is no mystery about it. Not like we couldn't see it.