Message #22788

[spitfire78]

I am a HUGE figure skating fan.  I follow it year-round Olympic year or not.  And I have been watching it for years.  That certainly doesn't qualify me as a true "judge" but I know quality skating when I see it.  I absolutely love the Russian pair.  I've been watching them for a long time, and I think they are beautiful skaters.  I also love the Canadian pair and have been following them for the last 2 seasons.  However, the Russians were definitely off their game that night.  It wasn't just the step-out on the double axel.  They seemed to hold back and skated cautiously.  The Canadian team poured all of their heart into their skating that night.  They were relaxed, confident, free, and full of smiles throughout the entire performance.

And, the judges do have instant replay.  I didn't know it myself until that night.  They mentioned it earlier in the competition (well before the controversial decision).  The commentators said that the judges have instant replay and can use it if there is something they want to see before posting their scores for each competitor.

So, to answer the question -- I am THRILLED that this decision was made.  I am so happy for Sale and Pelletier - in my mind they definitely deserved the gold.  I think a true measure of their character has been how they have handled this whole controversy.  Even though they felt they had been cheated, they were "good sports".  I saw them in several interviews and they were exceedingly gracious.  It is sad that this event marred what should be one of the best times of their lives.  I just hope that the sport of figure skating has learned from this and proceeds to clean up their act.  It is subjective judging and I don't know if that can ever be fully changed.  However, there has to be some way to make sure that deals aren't made like this.  I felt the same thing happened in Nagano with Bourne and Kratz, who were also cheated out of the medal (in my opinion).  I was sorry more wasn't done at that time.  If the problem had been dealt with at that time, maybe this latest incident wouldn't have happened.