Olympic Skating Wrap Up

Some things never change. It's 2014 and the skating world is abuzz with judging controversy sending words like "Eastern Bloc" and "Salt Lake City scandal" flying around our ears as we debate the oldest question in our sport: the athlete or the artist, who gets the edge? I don't think many would argue that Adelina's program had more difficulty or that Yuna is a superior skater and artist. The question is, by how much in each direction? And who gets the tie? 

For me, the overwhelming emotion at the end of the event was sadness, despite my delight for so many beautiful skates from Mao Asada, Ashley Wagner, Gracie Gold, and Carolina 

Kostner, not to mention Queen Yuna and the gold medalist, Adelina Sotnikova. It was a night of redemption for some of my favorite veterans, Mao and Carolina. It was a night when the American ladies proved themselves, each with their own thing to prove, each getting it done. But it was also new names to the same old story. 

And not only because my favorite skater just missed the gold. I don't feel bad for Yuna's silver, and I don't really think she does either. She has a gold at home, and an Olympic silver medal is never anything to snuff at. It's more because once again emotion and excitement was passed off as artistry and given the nod over the complete package. It also feels like déjà vu that the favorite faltered. The immense pressure of ladies Olympic skating means that aside from Yuna in 2010 the favorite hasn't won in ages. Like late 80's or early 90's. Which just makes what Yuna did in Vancouver all the more incredible. 

It was close. I'd have given it to Yuna, the judges gave it to Adelina. That's life. I like Adelina's skating, but it's just not as mature, not a polished, not as moving. 

I am glad of several things: 

1. Carolina medaled and shared her exquisite program with all of us, on the world's largest stage, to the best of her ability. 

2. Mao skated brilliantly. And she's not done. Going to compete at worlds. 

3. A strong showing from all three American ladies (not to mention the men, pairs, and dancers who were also terrific). Looking forward to watching Gracie, Polina, and Amber Glenn battle it out in the years ahead (yes, I do think she will follow in their footsteps and make a splash on the senior scene). 

4. At the end of the day the US got the medal it came for: ice dance gold. And they deserved it. Scott and Tessa skated brilliantly, and it's tough to do that and take silver, but you never heard a peep out of 

Meryl or Charlie four years ago, so Moir can go sit in his sour grapes. 

5. At the end of the day, the best man won, the best pair won, the best dancers won. And the best lady smiled and waved politely and goes home to hang her silver proudly next to her gold.