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

[Wyliefan]

True, but you can hardly blame people for not wanting to support Vanessa either. It's not like Morgan told an off-colour joke or something, he committed a criminal act. Surely if you found out your friend sent dick pics to 13 year olds you wouldn't be friends with them anymore. Especially if they were as unrepentant as Morgan clearly is...

We all know abuse is rampant in this sport. It's a terrible truth. And when another story comes to light, we mourn and weep and wring our hands and wonder HOW does this keep happening. And then when we see people continuing to support and work with abusers, we shrug and say the abuse isn't their fault and they shouldn't be criticized in any way. And then when the next case comes along, we mourn and weep and wring our hands and wonder HOW does this keep happening.

I don't know what Vanessa knew when. I do know that with a problem as serious as child abuse, if you're a supporter and/or enabler, AND YOU CONTINUE TO BE ONE after the news breaks, you're at the very least not part of the solution. And you're not above criticism.

If Vanessa wants to skate competitively again, fine, whatever, I don't care. Have a ball. But the story will hang on and she will continue to be seen as complicit on some level unless she takes active steps to change that and to come down on the side of survivors, not abusers. And if that makes people unhappy, well, that's just too bad.

 

[skatingguy]

It is a shame that the legacy of 3 Olympic medals and 2 world titles is being tarnished by a squabble over some likely mostly forgettable Stars on Ice appearances.

I think it's more than that - a lot of people were affected professionally by the decision that Eric Radford made to skate competitively with Vanessa James, and people were hurt personally by the way the decision was unveiled.

 

[Lemonade20]

What makes a great competitive team doesn't always make a great show skating team.

I often think that a dedicated show skating team who train regularly with a show focus would be better performers than the retired competitive teams that live in different cities and have just a short preparation time before shows to blow out the cobwebs.

But I also appreciate that even pre-'rona there weren't enough shows in North America to make it a viable full time career and so it is about big name skaters.

But given that Stars on Ice was seriously struggling pre-'rona I do wonder what an October tour (if it even happens) would be like.

Exactly. SOI is just not enough, and skaters can't rely on shows alone. Some will return to school (Osmond, Rochette, Virtue). Some goes on to have a skating career in coaching/choreography (Orser, Bourne, Bezic), and some just quietly choose to have a normal life. Duhamel and Radford aren't competing, or even skating on a regular basis. If Radford wants to compete again but with a new partner, why is he the villian? It's not like Duhamel has plans to compete. They were already at different stages in their lives, and I'm excited to see him return. She has a very strong personality, so I can see why Eric wants to give this a go.

 

[Bigbird]

What it boils down to in my mind is that Eric wasn’t up front with Meagan about the whole thing.

I would be more supportive of him is he was.

The CBC article said he invited Vanessa to try out for fun and the future possibilities of show skating just a few weeks after Battle of the Blades.

But he didn’t inform Meagan until months after that when Vanessa was released from France.

Last time I checked you didn’t need a release to perform in shows together so it’s a bit BS that he is saying he couldn’t inform Meagan because he didn’t know this partnership was on track until Va Essa was released.

I’m taking most of what they are saying with a huge grain of salt but both are agreeing with the point on which Meagan was informed.

Eric has a right to skate with whoever he wants but Meagan deserved a discussion much earlier than when she got one. It’s totally disrespectful from Eric.

What might be best would be to appreciate those athletes who can be tactful and respectful to their ex-partners, just as in life very few are able to do this. It just is what it is. Did we not remember the epic Hurtado and Diaz cuss out? We don't know the half of it. We don't know, maybe there were contractual obligations. In time when they want to discuss things they will, I'm just curious if any team can match the lawn mower that the Russian Team has become.

 

[Spikefan]

This is very similar to someone keeping one romantic relationship around while determining if a new one will work out. I wish he would have informed Meagan upfront to let her decide if she was ok being the back-up plan. Maybe she would have been ok with it (doubtful) but at least put it out there. If she wasn’t ok and Vanessa wasn’t released he still could have done shows with Vanessa. I was fine with Meagan’s message once the news was out but her passive-aggressive vague posts prior were very childish. And then there is Vanessa’s silence, for whatever reason, about Cipres. They all look bad and I’m not impressed with any current Canadian pairs, so I can just watch it all unfold.

 

[MsZem]

What might be best would be to appreciate those athletes who can be tactful and respectful to their ex-partners, just as in life very few are able to do this. It just is what it is. Did we not remember the epic Hurtado and Diaz cuss out? We don't know the half of it. We don't know, maybe their were contractual obligations. In time when they want to discuss things they will, I'm just curious if any team can match the lawn mower that the Russian Team has become.

I believe that was Hurtado talking at Diaz, not Hurtado and Diaz. But there was no public spectacle after they called it quits - it was obviously the right thing for them.

 

[Lemonade20]

This is very similar to someone keeping one romantic relationship around while determining if a new one will work out. I wish he would have informed Meagan upfront to let her decide if she was ok being the back-up plan. Maybe she would have been ok with it (doubtful) but at least put it out there. If she wasn’t ok and Vanessa wasn’t released he still could have done shows with Vanessa. I was fine with Meagan’s message once the news was out but her passive-aggressive vague posts prior were very childish. And then there is Vanessa’s silence, for whatever reason, about Cipres. They all look bad and I’m not impressed with any current Canadian pairs, so I can just watch it all unfold.

So true. I wish Vanessa would make a clean break from her former partner. He is not someone you want to keep associating with, and the way she continues tells me she is part of the problem. Ashley's right.

 

[starrynight]

Personally I think a lot of people online are frustrated that Cipres got away with the sexual abuse of a child, and the coaching team hasn't paid much of a price for covering it up, and they're taking it out on Vanessa - who's more easily accessible, though vastly less responsible.

That’s correct. It just doesn’t seem fair that it seems like Vanessa will face more consequences than Cipres ever will.

 

[skatingguy]

That’s correct. It just doesn’t seem fair that it seems like Vanessa will face more consequences than Cipres ever will.

Cipres lost his career, and will never be able to travel to the US again, or possibly to any country with a extradition treaty with the US - I wouldn't say that Vanessa has faced more consequences then that - she's been rightly criticized for her social media posts, and some fans are not going to warm to her return to competition - that may or may not be fair - I think it depends on how she responds in the next few months.

 

[allezfred]

In the made-for-TV “Team Event”...vs China for bronze?

All sports are made for TV or are you a fan of Channel one TV cameras any more?

 

[kirkbiggestfan]

I have been very critical of Vanessa's behavior but you can't judge her unless you know the full story. I hope that she gets to tell her side of the story some day.

What people may not realize is that Vanessa moved to Paris to a skating club where sexual abuse and all other forms of abuse were common in that toxic culture. She was coached by Jean-Rolland Racle, a sexual predator. The club director Gilles Beyer (he was moved to different functions but was always around) was a rapist and best friend of Didier. Vanessa's French citizenship was expedited due to Didier's political connections and you can believe that he would remind her of everything he did for her. So many French skaters came forward a year ago to describe the horrible abuse that was going on at that time. That environnement was pure hell for a lady skater. My friends that had no chance but to go to Paris to succeed in skating are still traumatized years later. They were all told to shut up in that culture ruled by fear.

When Vanessa was paired with Cipres, you could tell that an explosive situation was going on. They barely improved when they trained in Paris. Cipres is a narcistic ass to deal with on a daily basis . Vanessa does have a strong personality and they would have huge fights and considered quitting . She is a pair girl who is very outspoken and smart. Someone else would have been eaten alive. I have no doubt that she was in survival mode for years and still is in many ways.

 

[VarBar]

This whole situation left a bad taste in my mouth. I just hope Scott Moir will never consider returning to competition with a new partner. I would find it disloyal and at the end of the day immoral.

 

[Carolla5501]

I assume that those of you who are posting that this was handled wrong have NEVER made any errors in your life and that you have handled EVERY uncomfortable problem in a relationship in a way that would make you entirely happy if it was public?

If not, maybe we should quit throwing stones and move on. This really isn't our problem is it? This is a problem for Meghan and Eric and as far as I can tell neither one of them are actually on here discussing it.

(I am reminded why soap operas used to be so popular, it allowed me to have "made up drama". Now we have the internet and we can trash REAL people, that's so much better LOL!)

Oh and the only place their "legacy" is being tarnished is with a small subset of 'fans' (or detractors) on places like this.. The general public, will not have a clue. Trust me, the views on here are not representative of the world in general.

 

[screech]

I wish Vanessa would speak out against Morgan and his actions. I don't follow Meagan, Eric, Vanessa, or Morgan on social media, so I don't know their actions online. But when I told my mom about the new pair, she suggested that there is a very strong chance that once SafeSport got involved, she was informed not to do anything one way or another regarding the situation. And when it became a legal case in Florida, she was probably instructed not to make any comments at all.
That doesn't excuse all the months prior, but it could be why she hasn't spoken against him in the time since it became public.

 

[skategal]

I assume that those of you who are posting that this was handled wrong have NEVER made any errors in your life and that you have handled EVERY uncomfortable problem in a relationship in a way that would make you entirely happy if it was public?

If not, maybe we should quit throwing stones and move on. This really isn't our problem is it? This is a problem for Meghan and Eric and as far as I can tell neither one of them are actually on here discussing it.

(I am reminded why soap operas used to be so popular, it allowed me to have "made up drama". Now we have the internet and we can trash REAL people, that's so much better LOL!)

Oh and the only place their "legacy" is being tarnished is with a small subset of 'fans' (or detractors) on places like this.. The general public, will not have a clue. Trust me, the views on here are not representative of the world in general.

I can only speak for myself but I apologize when I hurt people.

If Eric comes out and admits he should have told Meagan earlier and apologizes to her, he will have my full support.

 

[Carolla5501]

I wish Vanessa would speak out against Morgan and his actions. I don't follow Meagan, Eric, Vanessa, or Morgan on social media, so I don't know their actions online. But when I told my mom about the new pair, she suggested that there is a very strong chance that once SafeSport got involved, she was informed not to do anything one way or another regarding the situation. And when it became a legal case in Florida, she was probably instructed not to make any comments at all.
That doesn't excuse all the months prior, but it could be why she hasn't spoken against him in the time since it became public.

It probably wouldn't matter what she said and she knows it. She's "guilty by association" She and her team aren't dumb. If she says "I don't agree with what he does" then the attack team will shift to "she should have stopped it". If she says she didn't know "we don't believe her" Nothing she can say is going to make this better for anyone and will just open her up for attack by the internet "judge and jury" crew on places like this.

I have a friend who was sitting at home one day when the police showed up with a search warrant accusing her husband of some horrid things to do with child porn. He claimed it was someone at his work who had used his computer and she defended him. Honestly none of us could believe he would do this, but... he did. And as she told me "what can I say" She didn't know, she wasn't involved, but now some people treat her as "guilty by association" She wound up changing jobs and moving because at her son's school parents actually were trying to get their kid moved to other classrooms because "he's probably a pervert too". The kid was 8 and clueless about what was going on! (But because it was real law enforcement not "safe sport pretend justice" this jerk is in JAIL!)

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

Eric and Meaghan were no longer a competitive team - doing it for the fun and a few bucks. No need for permission. Once you break up you don't have to ask your old girlfriend if it's ok. Unless you're skating with her sister.

SC must be desperate going into Olympic season. J/R? What the heck.

Cipres story not relevant.

 

[Wyliefan]

If she says "I don't agree with what he does" then the attack team will shift to "she should have stopped it".

I doubt that. Most rational people, even the most outspoken and contentious, realize that you can't stop something after it already happened.

 

[skatingguy]

Eric and Meaghan were no longer a competitive team - doing it for the fun and a few bucks. No need for permission. Once you break up you don't have to ask your old girlfriend if it's ok. Unless you're skating with her sister.

They had a professional relationship - it wasn't just for fun & a few bucks - SOI in Japan is some good money.

SC must be desperate going into Olympic season. J/R? What the heck.

I don't think this changes anything for Skate Canada either way - Moore-Towers/Marinaro are the only pairs team that really matters as they will be the team that competes for the medal in the Team Event until another team shows that they can out perform them. The only thing Skate Canada gets out of this at this point is some publicity, because this story has attracted more attention than anything in skating since the last Olympics.

Cipres story not relevant.

Vanessa James' lack of response to the story is what's relevant. The 'What did she know, and when did she know it?' is relevant.

 

[Orm Irian]

I doubt that. Most rational people, even the most outspoken and contentious, realize that you can't stop something after it already happened.

Unfortunately, the combination of misogyny, racism, self-righteousness and magical thinking has been shown in the past to short-circuit rationality.

(And yes, both misogyny and racism are relevant to how people have responded to Vanessa James's presence/role in this matter, and how that response will intensify the instant she says anything at all on the subject.)

 

[allezfred]

I doubt that. Most rational people, even the most outspoken and contentious, realize that you can't stop something after it already happened.

Have you met Skating Twitter?

 

[taz'smum]

I think it is a good move to skate with Eric.
No matter whether she is successful or not with him, her career will end on a better note than if it had ended with the Cipres saga.
It will leave a better taste in her mouth for the rest of her life.

 

[Wyliefan]

Have you met Skating Twitter?

Yes, and I know how how over the top they can be. I don't think anyone should go around trying to please all factions of skating Twitter, because it simply can't be done. I think it's wise for anyone who's connected with an abuser to make it clear that they don't support abuse, and if skating Twitter isn't satisfied with that, it's on them. You can't control what people think; all you can do is to do the right thing, to the best of your ability, and leave it at that.

 

[pat c]

I think it is a good move to skate with Eric.
No matter whether she is successful or not with him, her career will end on a better note than if it had ended with the Cipres saga.
It will leave a better taste in her mouth for the rest of her life.

Agreed. But the down side of this what we have here is a failure to communicate scenario is that D&R just sullied theirs. It's going to take them a while to get back to appreciating what they did together. All it would have taken is a talk with each other.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Exactly. SOI is just not enough, and skaters can't rely on shows alone. Some will return to school (Osmond, Rochette, Virtue). Some goes on to have a skating career in coaching/choreography (Orser, Bourne, Bezic), and some just quietly choose to have a normal life. Duhamel and Radford aren't competing, or even skating on a regular basis. If Radford wants to compete again but with a new partner, why is he the villian? It's not like Duhamel has plans to compete. They were already at different stages in their lives, and I'm excited to see him return. She has a very strong personality, so I can see why Eric wants to give this a go.

Makes sense to me and they have been retired for two or three years already!!! It’s not like they switched partners as they were actively competing

 

[anonymoose_au]

He claimed it was someone at his work who had used his computer and she defended him. Honestly none of us could believe he would do this, but... he did.

But once your friend was confronted with evidence of her husband's wrongdoing she didn't continue to defend him. She didn't remain with him. It's horrible that she was treated as guilty by association, but Vanessa's case can't really be compared. I could see her defending Morgan at first, but after everything that's come out? The absolute least she could do is not follow him on Insta anymore.

Having said that...there's a lot of skaters who are still following Morgan...they should also be called out. It does seem unfair she's getting the most backlash. As I understand it, Flo Amodio even invited Cipres to his wedding.

To me the unpleasantness of this new partnership is Eric going behind Meagan's back and assuming that because she had a kid she didn't want to skate anymore. Which all things considered (her being on Battle of the Blades) makes no sense.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Where was all this passion when John Coughlin dumped the Goddess Caitlin Yankowskas and did a beeline for Caydee Denney?????

Left Caitlin without a partner and had to retire when could not find one .... when they had just placed an amazing sixth best in the world at the Russian worlds!!!

Eric and Meagan have been retired for three years and haven’t skated since.

 

[Coco]

I have been very critical of Vanessa's behavior but you can't judge her unless you know the full story. I hope that she gets to tell her side of the story some day.

What people may not realize is that Vanessa moved to Paris to a skating club where sexual abuse and all other forms of abuse were common in that toxic culture. She was coached by Jean-Rolland Racle, a sexual predator. The club director Gilles Beyer (he was moved to different functions but was always around) was a rapist and best friend of Didier. Vanessa's French citizenship was expedited due to Didier's political connections and you can believe that he would remind her of everything he did for her. So many French skaters came forward a year ago to describe the horrible abuse that was going on at that time. That environnement was pure hell for a lady skater. My friends that had no chance but to go to Paris to succeed in skating are still traumatized years later. They were all told to shut up in that culture ruled by fear.

When Vanessa was paired with Cipres, you could tell that an explosive situation was going on. They barely improved when they trained in Paris. Cipres is a narcistic ass to deal with on a daily basis . Vanessa does have a strong personality and they would have huge fights and considered quitting . She is a pair girl who is very outspoken and smart. Someone else would have been eaten alive. I have no doubt that she was in survival mode for years and still is in many ways.

Thank you for spelling this out. I watched them interact with fans and family after a GP event in Illinois several years ago and based on the dynamic I saw between them, I was slightly concerned for her. Morgan was a really unpleasant person to be around from that brief experience.

 

[shutterbug]

Bev Smith's take on the situation: The Muddy Waters of a Comeback

Agreed. But the down side of this what we have here is a failure to communicate scenario is that D&R just sullied theirs. It's going to take them a while to get back to appreciating what they did together. All it would have taken is a talk with each other.

That's just it - if Eric would have had the guts to have one difficult conversation with Meagan, so much of this drama could have been avoided. Huge shame.

 

[cholla]

I still follow Ciprès on Insta. Just to see how further deep he can dig himself a hole. And because some of what he posts could be of my concern. I guess that in the eye of some posters, it makes me a child abuse enabler.

When Vanessa was paired with Cipres, you could tell that an explosive situation was going on. They barely improved when they trained in Paris. Cipres is a narcistic ass to deal with on a daily basis . Vanessa does have a strong personality and they would have huge fights and considered quitting . She is a pair girl who is very outspoken and smart. Someone else would have been eaten alive. I have no doubt that she was in survival mode for years and still is in many ways.

Thank you for your post.