2nd worst Olympic figure skating decision ever

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

-Kerrigan vs Baiul. Personally I think Kerrigan was overmarked and should have been off the podium in 4th place, but it seems a lot of others believe she was robbed of the gold so I guess I have to include this.

Without doubt.

I mean one judge even had the b*lls to say "Oh, I didn't see her do a triple/triple." Girl, please. FIRED! and BANNED!

I wonder if he saw Baiul skating like a junior, complete with junior music and junior costume? tee-hee.

For real if you can be a "credible" judge and have a response of "Oh, I didn't see her do a 3/3" then this whole competition is completely illegitimate.

I mean Im not even the biggest Kerrigan fan but ..... I mean.... but..... how is this allowed to happen

@joubertelegant you actually think she should be off the entire podium? I mean Lu and Bonaly were good but child.....

 

[joubertelegant]

But Plushenko didn't skate that well in the free skate in Vancouver. The fact that he stood up some of those jumps is a testament to his athletic ability because some of them were so crooked.

Agreed. To his credit he is an amazing fighter which he displayed yet again in standing up all his poorly executed jumps (roughly half of them). While someone like Lambiel had jumps that werent as off in the air which he just let go and turned into mistakes and unclean landings. Had Lambiel fought as hard as Plushenko did he likely wins, despite not being at his best.

 

[Xela M]

SLC pairs is absolutely in a class of its own.

Although some of the others like wood in 68 and b/s in 84 have the judge saying stupid shyte aspect to them, neither resulted in the medal standings being changed, only SLC.

Although some of the others, like LP singles came with rule changes on how results were calculated, none of them resulted in a completely new half baked and mostly unpopular scoring system as the baby was thrown out with the bath water officially, only SLC.

As an initial decision, b/s over s/p wasn't the most scandalous on the list. Who would have thunk this rather mundane close call result would turn the whole sport inside down like no other.

THIS!!!!

It still breaks my heart that this happened to one of the best pairs of all time and that their names will be forever associated with this.

For a small start, S&P fell in the short and should have been way further behind B&S!

 

[Sasha is DIVINE]

Ivanova didn't bomb her 84 long program that badly. There were far worse skates from her! Also, her performance is legendary due to Dick Button's commentary! Some of the most hilarious stuff I've ever heard!

How Sumners got such high marks and nearly won IIRC despite a lackluster free skate with many noticeable pops is the bigger question.

Many of these I can't speak on as I've never seen the programs in question. I voted for the 2002 pairs but as someone upthread mentioned, at least B/S got to keep their gold medal, which is more than I can say for some pour souls.

 

[vesperholly]

For a small start, S&P fell in the short and should have been way further behind B&S!

They fell on their ending pose, not an element, and were 2nd accordingly. This was still 6.0 judging.

 

[lala]

But Plushenko didn't skate that well in the free skate in Vancouver. The fact that he stood up some of those jumps is a testament to his athletic ability because some of them were so crooked.

If I accept everything what you wrote answer me to my questions, please:
Why Evan received more PCS as Daisuke more points for his spins as Lambiel and why did he get 8 points higher than last year on WCH for same "perfect" program? How did he receive 90+ points for his quadless SP? He is not Jason Brown. And you ignore that facts he wasn't punished for a wrong edged 3F and he received + GOE for a prerotated 3A...

 

[Anyasnake]

THIS!!!!

It still breaks my heart that this happened to one of the best pairs of all time and that their names will be forever associated with this.

For a small start, S&P fell in the short and should have been way further behind B&S!

The scandal created IJS. A system where you have 2 scenarios :

1) B/S would have had a monstruous lead in the SP, both in TES and PCS.
2) B/S would have perhaps won the LP, simply because the PCS would have been too high for S/P to catch up. And a higher Tech content + mistake nowadays works with IJS.

And this is where IJS is from. The irony...

 

[lala]

THIS!!!!

It still breaks my heart that this happened to one of the best pairs of all time and that their names will be forever associated with this.

Agree!!!

yes. Unfortunately

 

[skatingguy]

If I accept everything what you wrote answer me to my questions, please:
Why Evan received more PCS as Daisuke

Lyscaek's PCS were 82.80 - Daisuke scored 84.50

more points for his spins as Lambiel

Lysacek's spins scored 11.80 - Lambiel's spins scored 12.40 - Lambiel would have scored more for his spins but he had one level 3 and Lysacek had all level 4

and why did he get 8 points higher than last year on WCH for same "perfect" program? How did he receive 90+ points for his quadless SP?

Everybody scored higher at the Olympics, because it was the Olympics. The judges have consistently awarded higher scores for similar programs at the Olympics since the implementation of this system. The way things are going, by 2022 everybody will just get perfect 10's for PCS.

He is not Jason Brown.

No, he's not and Jason has scored higher than +90 for a similar program - he scored 93+ at last year's World Championships.

And you ignore that facts he wasn't punished for a wrong edged 3F and he received + GOE for a prerotated 3A...

I'm not ignoring anything, and your beef is with the technical panel. I didn't comment on Lysacek's program or skating, I simply mentioned that Plushenko did not skate his best in that free skate. Had Plushenko's jumps been more stable he would have won, probably by several points.

 

[caseyedwards]

But Plushenko didn't skate that well in the free skate in Vancouver. The fact that he stood up some of those jumps is a testament to his athletic ability because some of them were so crooked.

Two slight leans on one lutz and one axel. That’s hardly a step out or turnout or two foot or ur and barely counted for most judges. Lysacek had two jumps with negative goe too! If shows how even with getting negative goe on two jumps lysacek had the best point strategy and why so many had that strategy in Vancouver.

Agreed. To his credit he is an amazing fighter which he displayed yet again in standing up all his poorly executed jumps (roughly half of them). While someone like Lambiel had jumps that werent as off in the air which he just let go and turned into mistakes and unclean landings. Had Lambiel fought as hard as Plushenko did he likely wins, despite not being at his best.

Lol at half! It was two with leans in the air! Omg what horribleness! Worst mistakes ever in Olympic history.

 

[skatingguy]

Two slight leans on one lutz and one axel. That’s hardly a step out or turnout or two foot or ur and barely counted for most judges. Lysacek had two jumps with negative goe too! If shows how even with getting negative goe on two jumps lysacek had the best point strategy and why so many had that strategy in Vancouver.

I was judging on a Plushenko scale, so compared to what we were used to seeing from Plushenko it looked poor, particularly when you consider that his programs really didn't have much other than the jumps.

 

[skateboy]

I dont know what your opinion is but I cant recall sensing a public and skating fans and many skating experts being as angry about a result as Sotnikova's win over Kim and Sotnikova's win in general (keeping in mind there was also a strong opinion that not only Kim but Kostner as well, and in the LP Mao were clearly better)

Yes, there was certainly a fuss over the Sotnikova gold medal, but all three ladies on the podium skated very well and there could be a case made for any one of them to have won (I personally felt Kostner deserved the gold).

While many skating fans legitimately disliked the result, the biggest uproar came from crazed Yunabots, who had already been posting hate videos against Mao Asada for years, or anyone who posed a threat to Kim. They are the ones that put up the biggest fuss about the result... and still do (the comments and videos are pure hate), but now they are going after Medvedeva, because she has beaten Yuna's high score. Controversy or sour grapes?

 

[caseyedwards]

I was judging on a Plushenko scale, so compared to what we were used to seeing from Plushenko it looked poor, particularly when you consider that his programs really didn't have much other than the jumps.

Me too! In Turin he doubled a jump and in slc he fell so there is no doubt that in Vancouver Plushenko had his best ever jumping Olympics. It was really remarkable to come back after years off and have his best ever jumping in an Olympics. Totally disagree on other! Plushenko perf has all Plushenko personality.

This is the reason why I respected Daisuke !

This is so true. I know he said after setting record doing two quads in fs under cop he felt he had to do at least one but so extraordinary and amazing no one could make him do all triple fs for points! Amazing no one could tell him “he COP be COP!!!” Didn’t work. Took zero on a jump for respect pride etc! Amazing extraordinary.

 

[VALuvsMKwan]

I think this is the first time I've ever heard anyone claim Nancy wuzgifted as opposed to wuzrobbed in 1994.

4th? behind Bonaly? Or ...Sato?

Consider the source, who won't be posting such malarkey (at least under that name) here any more, but...

I would have had Kerrigan 5th in the LP behind Chen, Sato, Bonaly, and Baiul. If Witt had landed her triple loop and triple salchows cleanly I would have had behind her too since Witt deserved a 5.9 or 6.0 for artistry and Kerrigan a 5.6 or 5.7 for artistry.

Yes she was stiff and not even artistic yet commentators (and judges) raved about her supposably beautiful artistry, and it held her up to many medals when before her 93-94 season where she purposely trained like never before she rarely made it past 4 triples and programs filled with mistakes even in her better skates. Her signature spiral was an eyesore and wobbly looking to me. Her choreography was generally cheesetastic with her 94 Olympic season LP the worst of all. Her spins sucked, and she was slow and super inconsistent. I just never got the hype.

If anything her jumps (when landed) were the most impressive thing about her skating for me.

I rest my case - sound familiar?

 

[lala]

Lyscaek's PCS were 82.80 - Daisuke scored 84.50

Lysacek's spins scored 11.80 - Lambiel's spins scored 12.40 - Lambiel would have scored more for his spins but he had one level 3 and Lysacek had all level 4

Everybody scored higher at the Olympics, because it was the Olympics. The judges have consistently awarded higher scores for similar programs at the Olympics since the implementation of this system. The way things are going, by 2022 everybody will just get perfect 10's for PCS.

No, he's not and Jason has scored higher than +90 for a similar program - he scored 93+ at last year's World Championships.

I'm not ignoring anything, and your beef is with the technical panel. I didn't comment on Lysacek's program or skating, I simply mentioned that Plushenko did not skate his best in that free skate. Had Plushenko's jumps been more stable he would have won, probably by several points.

I'M talking about the SP scores. Everybody knows the key was the SP scores in the competition. Evan was too close to him without quad.
Tarasova:
"They 'buried' Zhenya before anything could be done. He should have won the short program with a 4 to 5 point lead, in my opinion. A short program is a technical one. And a 4+3 combination changes everything here because it shows that you're capable of doing more than others," said famous Russian coach.

Rodnina: "Evgeni's silver medal is a colossal result. The result achieved by him, his coach, choreographer and his spouse. But if the Federation had stepped in, he would have taken home the gold,"

Evan PCS 42
Dai PCS 41, 35
Evan was better in Interpretation and Performance
But you are right I didn't checked the protocol and I didn't remember well the spins scores. Sorry.

Yes, you are right Jason and probably Chan would receive so high score for quadless short programs. It shows why Evan SP scores are so ridiculous.

I can't ask the tech panel, but if the tech panel did well to work Plushenko wins even with "not his best skate". Because he was better than the others.

BTW after the scandal the ISU has changed the rules.

 

[lala]

Yes, there was certainly a fuss over the Sotnikova gold medal, but all three ladies on the podium skated very well and there could be a case made for any one of them to have won (I personally felt Kostner deserved the gold).

While many skating fans legitimately disliked the result, the biggest uproar came from crazed Yunabots, who had already been posting hate videos against Mao Asada for years, or anyone who posed a threat to Kim. They are the ones that put up the biggest fuss about the result... and still do (the comments and videos are pure hate), but now they are going after Medvedeva, because she has beaten Yuna's high score. Controversy or sour grapes?

Are you talking about Koola King on YT? OMG!

 

[skateboy]

Are you talking about Koola King on YT? OMG!

Yes. She's mean, inappropriate, a bully and she's nuts. Her followers are just as bad.

 

[Areski]

Yes. She's mean, inappropriate, a bully and she's nuts. Her followers are just as bad.

Well if one prefers to live in eternal delusion than it hurts when someone calls you out on it. Cry me a river. I like when finally someone calls out corruption, BS and lies with a dose on humour.

 

[skateboy]

Well if one prefers to live in eternal delusion than it hurts when someone calls you out on it. Cry me a river. I like when finally someone calls out corruption, BS and lies with a dose on humour.

I am fine with with calling out wrong and unfair judging, incorrect edge calls, underrotations... yes.

But this video poster crosses the line into harassment of anyone she thinks poses a threat to the legacy of Yuna Kim. The obsession is disturbing. If she truly cared about skating, she would create videos about the men's skaters, the pairs, ice dance and even other ladies. She doesn't do that.

If you're into her trip, that's your choice.

 

[blue_idealist]

I think if B&A are the reigning World Champions, Davis & White are now the team off the team. As already noted it wasnt going to be a NA sweep. The reigning World Champions are also ensured of a medal in ice dance no matter what, well maybe with a gigantic fall in the OD or FD they could miss but that is probably it. So Davis & White now have no way onto the podium and come 4th.

Domnina & Shabalin still medal. Belbin & Agosto either win silver or bronze now, most likely silver as being reigning World Champs who had already beaten D&S in 2009 they probably beat an even more weakened D&S with an awful OD at the Games. Most likely B&A. Actually as Domnina & Shabalin are no longer reigning World Champions and there is a good chance they now lose Europeans to the Italians as they very nearly did anyway, and they no longer have to medal as they are no longer reigning World Champs even if a non NA team has to medal, quite possibly the results of the Games even go now:

Gold- Virtue & Moir
Silver- Belbin & Agosto
Bronze- Italians
4th and 5th- Domnina and Shabalin, Davis & White

Yeah, it could have very well gone like that. I agree with the people who think B&A should have won worlds in '09 over the Russian D/S.

 

[blue_idealist]

Unfortunately being off the ice for most of the past 12 months through combination of injury and unplanned pregnancy proved too much for DelSchoes. They looked super rusty at the Games, much moreso than even Domnina & Shabalin. Even their CD looked super rough. It is a shame since had they not gotten injured I am sure they win the 2009 worlds and go into the Games as 2 time World Champs (then again they probably only won in 2008 since DomShabs missed with injury so it was sort of a trade off), and had it not been for the injury and pregnancy they probably would have had a great shot of winning or atleast silver in Vancouver.

I agree. They didn't look like the same team who won the worlds in '08 in Vancouver. I'm surprised they even finished as high as they did. Some people loved that FD but I didn't.

 

[blue_idealist]

I agree they were overscored but IMO they did deserve their bronze. It was the best they ever skated. It was a rough break for the perennial hard luck kids Pechalat & Bourzat, but it doesnt mean it was an unfair result.

I agree with this, too, even as a huge fan of P/B. I wish they hadn't been made to change coaches before the Olympics.

 

[dawnie]

Yes, there was certainly a fuss over the Sotnikova gold medal, but all three ladies on the podium skated very well and there could be a case made for any one of them to have won (I personally felt Kostner deserved the gold).

While many skating fans legitimately disliked the result, the biggest uproar came from crazed Yunabots, who had already been posting hate videos against Mao Asada for years, or anyone who posed a threat to Kim. They are the ones that put up the biggest fuss about the result... and still do (the comments and videos are pure hate), but now they are going after Medvedeva, because she has beaten Yuna's high score. Controversy or sour grapes?

It goes both ways. "Maotas" are just as crazy as "Yunabots". I find it really unfair that especially on this board, Yuna as a skater is always associated with her crazy fans when Mao's crazy fans are just as bad or even worse. But you hardly read anything about Mao's lunatic fans spamming Yuna's Instagram over and over with "Yuna Kim slut! Mao Asada legend!" It's the same with Hanyu's fans who are downright scary obsessed- I never read anyone calling his fans crazy on here either. Remember Denis Ten getting death threats? The double-standard is very strange- people on this board simply don't like Yuna because of her "Yunabots" but Mao's crazed fans are deemed okay/are ignored.

 

[StasiyaGalustyanLove]

I have been thinking about this question for a long time. I had a glass of milk and some saltines and kept thinking about it until my brain felt tired! So I opened a Dr. Pepper to get some juices flowing back again and it worked.

So, I have decided that the second worst decision was not some thing that happened in Sotchi. It was when the judges did not penalize Katarina Vitt for wearing such a skimpy, scant "outfit." I saw this event many years later when I was in middle school, and ever since then I have nightmares. I am happy that Galustyan is a modestly dressed woman like most Armenians.

I have not heard of the Kool Kim on you tube so I am going to go ask my wife if she knows what that is.

 

[sap5]

I'm surprised 1994 G/G vs M/D isn't on the poll.

 

[olympic]

I noticed Zayak and Chin were in the poll.

Zayak was definitely robbed in the SP finishing 6th. I think she should have been around Ivanova, either 3rd in front of Ivanova or 4th behind her in the SP. I would have been fine w/ either result, but definitely in front of Kondrashova and a flawed Sumners. But, she finished 4th in the LP which is where she should have.

I'm not sure where Chin was robbed: She was 2nd in the SP and 3rd in the LP. Maybe people believe she should have beaten Witt in the SP and Sumners in the LP? I think the argument would be stronger for the latter. Witt didn't make any mistakes in the SP while Sumners was less than stellar w/ her pops in the LP. Chin stepped out of the 3F and I wonder where she would have landed had she been clean.

 

[skateboy]

It goes both ways. "Maotas" are just as crazy as "Yunabots". I find it really unfair that especially on this board, Yuna as a skater is always associated with her crazy fans when Mao's crazy fans are just as bad or even worse. But you hardly read anything about Mao's lunatic fans spamming Yuna's Instagram over and over with "Yuna Kim slut! Mao Asada legend!" It's the same with Hanyu's fans who are downright scary obsessed- I never read anyone calling his fans crazy on here either. Remember Denis Ten getting death threats? The double-standard is very strange- people on this board simply don't like Yuna because of her "Yunabots" but Mao's crazed fans are deemed okay/are ignored.

If you haven't read posts on FSU noting how crazy the Hanyu fans are, you haven't been reading. Yes, they're nuts.

Sure, I get that Mao had some crazy fans, but they have pretty much disappeared since her retirement. The Yunabots keep going after all this time, even as Yuna herself has zero to do with skating... and they have no problem with over the top, nasty name calling. It's pathetic and juvenile.

 

[MAXSwagg]

It goes both ways. "Maotas" are just as crazy as "Yunabots". I find it really unfair that especially on this board, Yuna as a skater is always associated with her crazy fans when Mao's crazy fans are just as bad or even worse. But you hardly read anything about Mao's lunatic fans spamming Yuna's Instagram over and over with "Yuna Kim slut! Mao Asada legend!" It's the same with Hanyu's fans who are downright scary obsessed- I never read anyone calling his fans crazy on here either. Remember Denis Ten getting death threats? The double-standard is very strange- people on this board simply don't like Yuna because of her "Yunabots" but Mao's crazed fans are deemed okay/are ignored.

Um, Denis Ten behaved VERY poorly and recklessly. It doesn’t matter who the skater was. And then Carroll pretty much said it wasn’t a big deal and possibly a set-up! That had nothing to do with fans and if you think reckless skating during practices isn’t dangerous there’s something wrong with you.

 

[MAXSwagg]

I'm surprised 1994 G/G vs M/D isn't on the poll.

There was nothing controversial about G/G winning. It was the correct decision.

 

[dawnie]

If you haven't read posts on FSU noting how crazy the Hanyu fans are, you haven't been reading. Yes, they're nuts.

Sure, I get that Mao had some crazy fans, but they have pretty much disappeared since her retirement. The Yunabots keep going after all this time, even as Yuna herself has zero to do with skating... and they have no problem with over the top, nasty name calling. It's pathetic and juvenile.

Fair enough, crazy fan exhibit A below- MAXSwagg's response.

About Mao's crazy fans disappearing...they are still around too. "Yuna Kim slut" isn't over the top and nasty name-calling? I mean let's not sugarcoat it- it's definitely a Japanese vs Korean thing more than it is about the skaters.

Um, Denis Ten behaved VERY poorly and recklessly. It doesn’t matter who the skater was. And then Carroll pretty much said it wasn’t a big deal and possibly a set-up! That had nothing to do with fans and if you think reckless skating during practices isn’t dangerous there’s something wrong with you.

I can't with this post. There is something wrong with you if you are implying he deserved the death threats.
And how can that have nothing to do with crazy fans when they are the ones sending the death threats??