U.S. Women [#2]: The Unbearable Lightness of Beijing

[olympic]

It wasn’t done in dramatic manner; rather, it was a quick afterthought, delivered in a low voice, as he talked primarily about the Russian women’s SPs. Like an “Oh, by the way…” then back to the subject of Russians. Absolutely not a creation of drama.

Yes, but that mannerism is an old trick to draw in the viewer or listener

 

[Carolla5501]

Maybe because he's continually demonstrated the ethics of a raccoon.

Don’t insult the raccoon!

 

[clairecloutier]

Bradie has withdrawn from Nationals

Bradie Tennell on Instagram: "Hi everyone, *long caption warning* This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury. I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I

8,625 likes, 485 comments - bradietennell on December 31, 2021: "Hi everyone, *long caption warning* This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury. I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I normally...

www.instagram.com

 

[Karen-W]

Bradie has withdrawn from Nationals

Bradie Tennell on Instagram: "Hi everyone, *long caption warning* This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury. I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I

8,625 likes, 485 comments - bradietennell on December 31, 2021: "Hi everyone, *long caption warning* This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury. I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I normally...

www.instagram.com

Oh, man. I thought this would happen but her IG post has me tearing up. I do hope she is able to come back strong next season.

ETA - It doesn't sound like she has any intention of petitioning to the Olympic team.

 

[Stefanie]

Bradie has withdrawn from Nationals

Bradie Tennell on Instagram: "Hi everyone, *long caption warning* This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury. I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I

8,625 likes, 485 comments - bradietennell on December 31, 2021: "Hi everyone, *long caption warning* This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury. I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I normally...

www.instagram.com

I just read her post on IG. I feel so badly for her!

 

[AxelAnnie]

Oh, man. I thought this would happen but her IG post has me tearing up. I do hope she is able to come back strong next season.

ETA - It doesn't sound like she has any intention of petitioning to the Olympic team.

Oh sadness............I was hoping she would be well and skate great. But happiness that she is doing the right thing for her health.

 

[jlai]

Shame. I like her and some of her programs were very nice. She at least has the 2018 Olympics in her belt, even though it is little consolation I know

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Bradie has withdrawn from Nationals

Bradie Tennell on Instagram: "Hi everyone, *long caption warning* This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury. I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I

8,625 likes, 485 comments - bradietennell on December 31, 2021: "Hi everyone, *long caption warning* This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury. I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I normally...

www.instagram.com

Omggggggg

Nooooooo

 

[coppertop1]

With Alysa changing her coach and now her programs and with what people have said about her father controlling the shots I'm definitely reminded of Mira Leung.

So now Bradie is out of the Olympics? The hits just keep on coming

 

[peibeck]

I don't have IG, so I can't see Bradie's message, but I hope that she finally gets a true diagnosis and treatment for her foot issue. That really needs to be the first step into a full recovery. Wishing her the best.

 

[euterpe]

I don't have IG, so I can't see Bradie's message, but I hope that she finally gets a true diagnosis and treatment for her foot issue. That really needs to be the first step into a full recovery. Wishing her the best.

And please, PLEASE, let her find a new coach. Her feet were OK before she went to TomZ.

 

[peibeck]

And please, PLEASE, let her find a new coach. Her feet were OK before she went to TomZ.

As much as I don't care for Tom, it's not like she hasn't had prior injuries. She had two broken back vertebrae before she ever went to Tom. Skating is not body friendly.

 

[Wyliefan]

Poor Bradie! I can't imagine how devastated she must be.

 

[barbk]

And please, PLEASE, let her find a new coach. Her feet were OK before she went to TomZ.

My feet were ok until they weren't. I've been 18 months into trying to get the issue figured out and resolved. Feet are not simple, and I'm no Olympic athlete. I'm seeing an orthopedic surgeon, a great (and well-known) podiatrist, and going through extensive PT. I wouldn't rush to blame Tom Z.

 

[Sylvia]

Bradie has withdrawn from Nationals

Bradie Tennell on Instagram: "Hi everyone, *long caption warning* This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury. I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I

8,625 likes, 485 comments - bradietennell on December 31, 2021: "Hi everyone, *long caption warning* This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury. I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I normally...

www.instagram.com

I don't have IG, so I can't see Bradie's message

Copying out Bradie's full message below:

Hi everyone,

long caption warning

This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury.
I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I normally try to keep things light, but this hurts. I don’t like to give up when things get hard, but time has not been my friend this year and now it’s run out.
These past six months, I’ve been consistently on and off the ice as we’ve worked to identify and address exactly what is wrong with my foot. I have seen expert doctors across the country in California, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Portland, Chicago, and Boston. I changed boot companies to try to alleviate some of the pain. I’ve tried many different treatments, some of which worked for a little bit, some of which didn’t work at all. As summer turned to fall and then fall to winter, I refused to give up. I thought if I kept pushing, I’d be able to overcome the pain enough to consistently be on the ice, training in the sport I love. And though I have done everything in my power to try to be ready for Nationals, I have to listen to what my body is telling me and accept that I won’t be able to compete next week.
I will keep working to get healthy, and I wish everyone the absolute BEST of luck next week. I will be cheering my hardest for ALL of Team USA as they head to Beijing.
(Cont. in comments)

I want to thank my mom for being endlessly supportive and helping me do whatever it takes in both the good times and the bad. In addition to everything else, I feel so lucky to have a mom in the medical field to help me navigate all of this. I would have been lost without your guidance and knowledge. Words don’t even begin to express how much I love you.
I want to thank @benoitrichaud for coming to help me try to train this whole last month. Thank you for helping me push my limits and bend my ankles.
Thank you to @coachtomz for sticking by me through the ups and downs of this season and for all your knowledge and support.
Thank you to my whole team in Colorado, including the World Arena. I feel so lucky to have so many people in my corner.
Last but certainly not least, thank you to all my fans for your support, encouragement, and all-around positivity. I can’t even express what it has meant to me this year. Hugs to every one of you.
I’ll be back. I’m not done fighting.

Related article:

Bradie Tennell withdraws from U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Reigning U.S. figure skating champion Bradie Tennell withdrew from next week's national championships due to a chronic right foot injury.

olympics.nbcsports.com

 

[paskatefan]

Bradie, we will miss you so much on the ice, but take the time you need to heal completely!

 

[Frau Muller]

Bradie has withdrawn from Nationals

Bradie Tennell on Instagram: "Hi everyone, *long caption warning* This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury. I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I

8,625 likes, 485 comments - bradietennell on December 31, 2021: "Hi everyone, *long caption warning* This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury. I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I normally...

www.instagram.com

The first skating news that I read in the new year. Bummer. Wishing her a good continued recovery & much happiness in whatever she decides to pursue henceforth.

 

[peibeck]

Thank you for reposting her full message @Sylvia . Wow. More alarming that she's seen experts all over the country and still may not have gotten a proper diagnosis/treatment in half a year or longer.

 

[euterpe]

I wonder if skating in disintegrating boots at Worlds last March has anything to do with her foot problem. She probably would have switched to different boots, and then that would have caused irritation to her foot. Remember Karen Chen and her years of boot problems?

 

[honey]

I feel bad for Bradie to not be able to go through with nationals. But ultimately she has made the right decision if she’s not ready and still injured. I hope she can come back from this and have more skating years if that’s what she wants to do.

This foot injury is giving me major Polina vibes though. The story feels the same. An injury that just won’t heal.

 

[Cachoo]

Thanks for posting her message: I cannot imagine her frustration from going from specialist to specialist without relief. I hope someone can help her.

 

[giselle23]

Copying out Bradie's full message below:

Hi everyone,

long caption warning

This morning I made the hardest decision of my life to withdraw from Nationals due to my ongoing foot injury.
I don’t really know how to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I normally try to keep things light, but this hurts. I don’t like to give up when things get hard, but time has not been my friend this year and now it’s run out.
These past six months, I’ve been consistently on and off the ice as we’ve worked to identify and address exactly what is wrong with my foot. I have seen expert doctors across the country in California, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Portland, Chicago, and Boston. I changed boot companies to try to alleviate some of the pain. I’ve tried many different treatments, some of which worked for a little bit, some of which didn’t work at all. As summer turned to fall and then fall to winter, I refused to give up. I thought if I kept pushing, I’d be able to overcome the pain enough to consistently be on the ice, training in the sport I love. And though I have done everything in my power to try to be ready for Nationals, I have to listen to what my body is telling me and accept that I won’t be able to compete next week.
I will keep working to get healthy, and I wish everyone the absolute BEST of luck next week. I will be cheering my hardest for ALL of Team USA as they head to Beijing.
(Cont. in comments)

I want to thank my mom for being endlessly supportive and helping me do whatever it takes in both the good times and the bad. In addition to everything else, I feel so lucky to have a mom in the medical field to help me navigate all of this. I would have been lost without your guidance and knowledge. Words don’t even begin to express how much I love you.
I want to thank @benoitrichaud for coming to help me try to train this whole last month. Thank you for helping me push my limits and bend my ankles.
Thank you to @coachtomz for sticking by me through the ups and downs of this season and for all your knowledge and support.
Thank you to my whole team in Colorado, including the World Arena. I feel so lucky to have so many people in my corner.
Last but certainly not least, thank you to all my fans for your support, encouragement, and all-around positivity. I can’t even express what it has meant to me this year. Hugs to every one of you.
I’ll be back. I’m not done fighting.

Related article:

Bradie Tennell withdraws from U.S. Figure Skating Championships

Reigning U.S. figure skating champion Bradie Tennell withdrew from next week's national championships due to a chronic right foot injury.

olympics.nbcsports.com

So sad for Bradie. It must be so frustrating not to even know the source of the pain. Such a classy post, thanking all who have supported her.

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

Very sad news. I feel badly for Bradie. This was not wholly unexpected though, and Tom Z's disconcerting 'Hail Mary' remark only added to the gloom. I hope that Bradie can find a specialist who can help her foot heal. And I hope that she fully recovers and comes back next season if that is what she wants.

 

[Garden Kitty]

Very disappointed for Bradie, but also impressed by her gracious and classy post during such a difficult time for her. Wishing her all the best on and off the ice.

 

[olympic]

in my dreams, Bradie is her pre-pandemic self and getting marks competitive with Kaori and You! I really hope Mariah and Alysa are together enough to really represent at Beijing

 

[viennese]

Disappointing news for the new year.

Tennell's US Nationals win in 2021 was a fierce comeback. Good for her for making space in her life to heal and improve.

 

[peibeck]

I wonder if skating in disintegrating boots at Worlds last March has anything to do with her foot problem. She probably would have switched to different boots, and then that would have caused irritation to her foot. Remember Karen Chen and her years of boot problems?

It's also possible that if she had a stress fracture or torn muscles that there may have also been nerve damage from the trauma, which doesn't always show its ugly face right away.

 

[Aceon6]

My podiatrist says that foot injuries are the hardest to fix. In most cases, the pain comes on slowly, so people, especially athletes, muddle through for a while before things get bad enough to see a specialist. By then, sometimes the problem is no longer fixable.

 

[soogar]

My podiatrist says that foot injuries are the hardest to fix. In most cases, the pain comes on slowly, so people, especially athletes, muddle through for a while before things get bad enough to see a specialist. By then, sometimes the problem is no longer fixable.

Unfortunately those figure skates don't help the issue. She'll probably heal if she stays out of skates for a while.

Gracie Gold has made nationals. She looked pretty good in her last outing. What are her chances looking like to make the team? I think I read that she didn't have the international minimums to compete? What if she achieves a top 3 finish at Nationals? Is it possible for the USFS to decide the 3rd spot after 4Cs and permit her to get the technical minimum if she hasn't achieved that yet?

 

[Cayuse]

Unfortunately those figure skates don't help the issue. She'll probably heal if she stays out of skates for a while.

Gracie Gold has made nationals. She looked pretty good in her last outing. What are her chances looking like to make the team? I think I read that she didn't have the international minimums to compete? What if she achieves a top 3 finish at Nationals? Is it possible for the USFS to decide the 3rd spot after 4Cs and permit her to get the technical minimum if she hasn't achieved that yet?

Gracie is to be commended for how well she is skating this season - we've only seen her at regional competitions. Bless her spirit, but she has zero chance of making the Olympic team. However, if she places in the top six, she may have a shot at 4CC. I don't where she would be able to get the minimums at this late date.