- Joined
- Feb 24, 2012
From my own point of view, I like to see many countries share the podium. I would have liked to have seen three different countries on the men's podium last year and three different countries on the women's podium. I loooove:luv17: seeing smaller countries with skaters entered in events. It makes me happy
It probably diminishes popularity in the US that there is not a senior ladies skater contending for the title, but only from an accessibility standpoint. Local skaters = easier coverage and more coverage.
That said, because of that, no one "on the street" in the US (that is, not on a figure skating forum) could identify the World ladies podium from last year absent the Olympics connection. No one cares that Russia has more ladies on the podium, because no one knows I will pay you a thousand dollars if you would find anyone, *anyone*, in the city of Bethlehem who can identify Alexandra Trusova. Or even recognizes the name.
Nathan Chen might, might, have some visibility (mens skating is always less popular) as the champion skater who goes to Yale, but it's still not enormous. And no one is running around going, yippee yay two USA men on the world's podium, we rock. Figure skating doesn't do that here
But like I said, I love seeing the wealth spread around, I love seeing unexpected results, I love seeing an Ivan Shmuratko or an Alessia Tornaghi on the podium. Diversity can only make the sport stronger in the long run:thumbsup:
I agree. Diversity is wonderful at the same time you want the best. It is wonderful on the junior scene to see c ountries who basically have little ice be represented ie India. We see ebbs and flows. Long time Russia n ladies were no where to be seen. Canada is in a huge lull where they have no one in the top 5 I believe. TO some nations certain sports are real important and if they have soeone who can sell it ie Yuna Kim or Mao Asada and before her Ito and SAto you will see others from that nation follow suit. Yes, this is a sport where the men aren't as powerful in the marketing dept. DOn't get me wrong there are companies interested in the likes of Nathan Chen but he still can't compete with the top track stars or hockey, football, basketball, golf or tennis athletes. But at the same time we want the best to win and sometimes that means some dominance by certain countries. It makes sense that now about 9 years after Vancouver that Yuna Kim influenced girls are starting to come out from Korea to challenge. Whereas USA has always had a constant strong of w orld and olympic threats.