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Post by lizzbeth on Aug 24, 2007 23:03:29 GMT -5
I am SUCH an Olympics fan. I have recorded (on crappy videotape) the closing credits for summer/winter Olympics for years. That scene between Shani & Apolo was a major ingredient in my fandom. I had the opinion that Apolo was a flashy hot-shot bad-boy in 2002 and even in 2006. There were hints of greatness (the crawl across the finish line in '02, his joy with his '06 bronze medals) that I admired, but I wasn't completely sold until those final few days in Torino. Throughout the games, I was intrigued by the crap between Shani & Chad Hedrick. I fell solidly on Shani's side, and I loved seeing him on the sidelines cheering Chad on, despite the apparent disrespect he was getting from Chad. It was when Apolo won the gold in the 500M, and as he was celebrating he was asking "Where's Shani?", and that scene in the workout room, that told me 'any guy who is Shani's friend MUST be a good guy...' I really sat up and took notice of EVERY detail of Apolo in those final few days partly because of that, and the rest is history... I would LOVE to meet Shani someday! ------------------------------ Who was the gorgeous French figure skater guy in Torino - was it Philippe L-something? Wowza! (He skated an exhibition to James Blunt's 'You're Beautiful' on the last night)... Could it be Phillipe Candelaro?? |
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Post by Lori on Aug 25, 2007 0:32:07 GMT -5
Aaaargh, lizzbeth, I just did my homework and found that I was way off base! The guy I was thinking of was Stephane Lambiel from Switzerland - the silver medalist. Okay, so I got the L-something right!  Anyhow, he was a hunky hunny!  |
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Post by lexi on Aug 25, 2007 8:07:08 GMT -5
Aaaargh, lizzbeth, I just did my homework and found that I was way off base! The guy I was thinking of was Stephane Lambiel from Switzerland - the silver medalist. Okay, so I got the L-something right! Anyhow, he was a hunky hunny! Ahh, yes. Stephane. What Swiss guy isn't a hunk though? Another handsome skater, though much too young for me to expand on that thought, is Fedor Andreev (Tanith Belbin's ex).  And, Lori, I loved your story about how you discovered Apolo. It's so interesting that many of us thought him a bit of a rebel upon first notice. I think the media perpetuated that myth though. Also, some people can be easily turned off by someone with so much confidence. It's often mistaken for arrogance and as we well know, Apolo is not arrogant. Shani seems pretty cool and if he's Apolo's best friend, he's got to be an upstanding guy! Lizzbeth, I hope you'll share some of your skating favorites with us.  |
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Post by laura6 on Aug 25, 2007 8:20:41 GMT -5
Aaaargh, lizzbeth, I just did my homework and found that I was way off base! The guy I was thinking of was Stephane Lambiel from Switzerland - the silver medalist. Okay, so I got the L-something right! Anyhow, he was a hunky hunny! Ahh, yes. Stephane. What Swiss guy isn't a hunk though? Another handsome skater, though much too young for me to expand on that thought, is Fedor Andreev (Tanith Belbin's ex). And, Lori, I loved your story about how you discovered Apolo. It's so interesting that many of us thought him a bit of a rebel upon first notice. I think the media perpetuated that myth though. Also, some people can be easily turned off by someone with so much confidence. It's often mistaken for arrogance and as we well know, Apolo is not arrogant. Shani seems pretty cool and if he's Apolo's best friend, he's got to be an upstanding guy! Lizzbeth, I hope you'll share some of your skating favorites with us. Shani is from my neck of the woods here in Chicagoland..and he has a wonderful reputation..he does so much with underpriveliged kids..he is reaaly cool!! I have so many psychological issues with figure skaters in general!! LOL My mom is addicted to fugure skating!! and that is why I have the 03 skating special he was on.. I cannot get a groove on with those guys in sequins!! LOL |
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Post by lexi on Aug 25, 2007 8:45:07 GMT -5
Have you ever had the opportunity to meet Shani, Laura? He's always seemed like a wonderful guy to me, but - correct me if I'm wrong - wasn't there a time he didn't have the best reputation in terms of being a team player? I thought I read some think he's always out for himself. I don't see him as being quite as extroverted as Apolo and perhaps that's mistaken for aloofness and ego.  I used to compete locally in figure skating many, many years ago and coached some kids for awhile and have always loved it. I don't know that I could even do crossovers today, but being away from it for so many years hasn't lessened my enjoyment of it. It's a shame that, here in Canada at least, the tours, etc., just don't get the publicity they should and so numbers are very low for attendance at skating events and yet, people here love figure skating. I'm a bit worried about what the future holds. Is the same a problem in the US? |
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Post by laura6 on Aug 25, 2007 8:49:16 GMT -5
Have you ever had the opportunity to meet Shani, Laura? He's always seemed like a wonderful guy to me, but - correct me if I'm wrong - wasn't there a time he didn't have the best reputation in terms of being a team player? I thought I read some think he's always out for himself. I don't see him as being quite as extroverted as Apolo and perhaps that's mistaken for aloofness and ego. I used to compete locally in figure skating many, many years ago and coached some kids for awhile and have always loved it. I don't know that I could even do crossovers today, but being away from it for so many years hasn't lessened my enjoyment of it. It's a shame that, here in Canada at least, the tours, etc., just don't get the publicity they should and so numbers are very low for attendance at skating events. I'm a bit worried about what the future holds. Is the same a problem in the US? No..the figure skating shows..in this area anyway are very popular and heavily attended...my mom has follwed it fot years..she has videos like 17 yrs worth of competitions...gets the magazines..travels around the whole bit.. I have never met shani..I wish ;D...he is on the North shore..and I live in a near western suburb of chicago.. he has a good rep..but his mom has made many enemies..she is fierce in her promotion of her son ...and unfortunatly he gets the back end of her questionable behaviour..from what i understand. |
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Post by lexi on Aug 25, 2007 8:53:17 GMT -5
Have you ever had the opportunity to meet Shani, Laura? He's always seemed like a wonderful guy to me, but - correct me if I'm wrong - wasn't there a time he didn't have the best reputation in terms of being a team player? I thought I read some think he's always out for himself. I don't see him as being quite as extroverted as Apolo and perhaps that's mistaken for aloofness and ego. I used to compete locally in figure skating many, many years ago and coached some kids for awhile and have always loved it. I don't know that I could even do crossovers today, but being away from it for so many years hasn't lessened my enjoyment of it. It's a shame that, here in Canada at least, the tours, etc., just don't get the publicity they should and so numbers are very low for attendance at skating events. I'm a bit worried about what the future holds. Is the same a problem in the US? No..the figure skating shows..in this area anyway are very popular and heavily attended...my mom has follwed it fot years..she has videos like 17 yrs worth of competitions...gets the magazines..travels around the whole bit.. I have never met shani..I wish ;D...he is on the North shore..and I live in a near western suburb of chicago.. he has a good rep..but his mom has made many enemies..she is fierce in her promotion of her son ...and unfortunatly he gets the back end of her questionable behaviour..from what i understand. Ah yes, now I remember. I'll have to do a bit more reading on Shani and get his back story. |
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Post by laura6 on Aug 25, 2007 8:56:25 GMT -5
yea..I do not know to much about him except hen he is on the local news from time to time..
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Post by Ghest II on Aug 25, 2007 13:14:51 GMT -5
Have you ever had the opportunity to meet Shani, Laura? He's always seemed like a wonderful guy to me, but - correct me if I'm wrong - wasn't there a time he didn't have the best reputation in terms of being a team player? I thought I read some think he's always out for himself. I don't see him as being quite as extroverted as Apolo and perhaps that's mistaken for aloofness and ego. I know you weren't asking me, but in his defense, he's a great guy. I think the media puts his spin on him the way they want to (and I think the media's portrayal of him is largely based on their experiences with his mother). The way he was treated (and seemed to act) during the Olympics was unfortunate, but I'm sure if you asked any of the athletes who really knows Shani they'll say he's a great guy and fun to be around. |
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Post by lexi on Aug 25, 2007 13:18:20 GMT -5
Have you ever had the opportunity to meet Shani, Laura? He's always seemed like a wonderful guy to me, but - correct me if I'm wrong - wasn't there a time he didn't have the best reputation in terms of being a team player? I thought I read some think he's always out for himself. I don't see him as being quite as extroverted as Apolo and perhaps that's mistaken for aloofness and ego. I know you weren't asking me, but in his defense, he's a great guy. I think the media puts his spin on him the way they want to (and I think the media's portrayal of him is largely based on their experiences with his mother). The way he was treated (and seemed to act) during the Olympics was unfortunate, but I'm sure if you asked any of the athletes who really knows Shani they'll say he's a great guy and fun to be around. No problem, GhestII. I always like to hear various accounts. In all honesty, I don't recall what happened during the Olympics if we're talking '02. I was just being introduced to Apolo by accident via watching for Alexei Yagudin so probably missed what was going on with Shani. Do you mind recapping? |
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Post by vegas on Aug 25, 2007 13:53:04 GMT -5
Canadian Olympic Gold Medalists Sale and Pelletier in the best G and G fashion, Skating so romantically to Imagine sung by the equally wonderful Canadian JD Fortune Congratulations Jamie and David...their first baby is due in less than three months! www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbdIPNyHxT8 |
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Post by kirkland on Aug 25, 2007 14:27:42 GMT -5
Can someone pm me with the link to the Shani and Apolo youtube video that is referred to here? Thank you,
2006 Torino Closing Ceremonies
(apolo 3 times - note 4:26mark) it's soo moving
youtube.com/watch?v=5hT6UxsQG2c
bring out the hanky!Thanks No 1...can't wait to watch it. Just checked in for a quick lurk, will watch, hankie in hand, later tonight. |
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Post by number1fan on Aug 25, 2007 16:47:09 GMT -5
lisam & vegas...thank you both for the links of S & P...
off to watch
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Post by mellie on Aug 25, 2007 23:02:55 GMT -5
It seems I have not yet given a nod to the ladies of figureskating! I have a great many favorites among them too. For starters, Michelle Kwan. I was among those heartbroken when she had to pull out of the 2006 olympics. Mainly because I knew how hard she'd worked, and how difficult a decision that must have been. Michelle is a champion. Plain and simple. Most people who follow skating know champion behaviors when they see them. It's a balance of doing what you know best while constantly re-inventing yourself. Knowing when to take a risk, and when to hold back. These skills come from years of experience coupled with maturity, and they personify Michelle. I believe that in exhibition, she could outskate anyone. Kristy Yamaguchi has been a favorite of mine since her pairs days with Rudy Galindo. She's beautiful on the ice, and has so perfected her skills that she makes complicated programs look effortless. She is mesmerizing to watch. Another long time favorite, Surya Bonaly. What a powerhouse on the ice! Backflips with a one foot landing? I don't even think Scott Hamilton lands on one foot! Sadly, Surya was pegged a sore loser for bursting into tears on the winners podium and pulling off her silver medal because she felt she'd earned gold. Disappointment is hard to hide when you've worked so hard and fallen second so many times. I think she was great and always a pleasure to watch. Hi August, I am with you when Michelle had to pull out of 2006, -heartbroken, -almost as heartbroken when she didn't win out over Tara L. - While Tara had the jumps and spins - I still felt she not only looked- but skated like a little girl. I want to see a woman on the ice- that sophistication that translates to elegance and doesn't necessarily have anything to do with age. (I think Kimmie Meisner's got it, she was only 16 in the Olympics, but had the presence of a woman- if that makes sense? It's a quality that is hard to define exactly, but I know it when I see it) Here is a link to one of my favorite exhibition skates by Michelle to Dantes Prayer. amazing how she can make the most simple (technically) of moves look so exquisite. That inside spiral is just beautiful. www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtUVfSSepBcSurya has never quite enthralled me, while athletically amazing, I think she suffers somewhat artistically. But I'll trade you for Nancy Kerigan, I loved her presence and style on the ice- but she wasn't for everyone. Many,many wonderful women skaters to be sure in addition to the ones you mentioned. How can you not love Kristi? Hey August and Mtnme, I too was heartbroken that Michelle had to pull out of the games in '06. Even if she didn't win a gold, she is still a two time Olympic medalist, and I agree with you August that Michelle is a champion. I mentioned a few pages back that I thought Michelle should have won in '98 over Tara, and I agree with you Mtnme that Tara lacked something in her routine. Yes she had the jumps and the spins, but I think it was a lack of artistic expression in the execution of the routine that made her seem like a little girl. Surya was definitely athletic, but I didn't like her diva attitude. I actually watched the competition where she refused to accept the silver medal. Her coach told her that if she didn't accept the medal, then she would not be able to compete in the next competition ( I don't remember if the next competition was worlds or Olympics). While this happened, the commentators went over her routine, and she did a backflip in the routine which is not allowed in competition routines. The commentators went on and on on how backflips can be done in exhibition routines, but not during competitions. When the medal ceremony finally took place, she took off the medal after they placed it around her neck. I love Kristi, and that's all I have to say about that, and I've already said what I have to say about Nancy. Kimmi Meissner is fantabulous. I watched the TLC show Ice Princess right before the '06 Olympics, and they showed the newcomers. It was interesting seeing what these girls go through, and I got interested in this new bunch of skaters because I got to see their personalities on and off the ice. My favorites were Bibi, Kimmie and Alyssa. I so loved Kimmie's routines at worlds ;D, and sad that once again Sasha had fumbled in one of her routines.  Sorry if this was really long.  |
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Post by lisam on Aug 26, 2007 0:48:19 GMT -5
This kinda off the subject but did anyone watch Skating with Celebrities last year? I was interested in watching it but never did because I was wrapped up in watching other tv shows. If anyone did see whats your opinion about it?
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~Lori
