I have seen that costume and the news of its nomination on a few mainstream social media sites. Many people are interpreting this as half nazi-half prisoner costume so it seems even worse than just insensitive use of symbols.
Also, I'm afraid that now figure skating will be considered more as a dress contest than serious sport. I wish ISU could abolish this nomination all together. It doesn't say anything about skaters' abilities. If at least the designer and/or tailor were mentioned, that'd make more sense. Not to mention that non-medal contenders probably don't have a chance win this award (I gave my vote to Eunsoo, but I'm 95% sure she will not get near to winning).
I heard the idea that it was supposed to be a business man (i.e. the suit/Schindler) protecting/hiding/concealing the Jewish people. Slightly better than half and half... i mean i can process the idea at least.
I'm starting to feel sorry for Anton S, his costume was really, really stupid choice, but I'm pretty sure everyone who's read the articles hates him now and quite a few probably think he's a Nazi sympathiser! I can't imagine him ever living it down.
The ISU totally dropped the ball here, firstly by not strongly telling Anton S and his team that the costume was unacceptable (we'll leave aside the fact he should have known this) and secondly by allowing it to be nominated. Way to throw a guy under the bus. TBH, his skating career is probably over now.
I'm starting to feel sorry for Anton S, his costume was really, really stupid choice, but I'm pretty sure everyone who's read the articles hates him now and quite a few probably think he's a Nazi sympathiser! I can't imagine him ever living it down.
The ISU totally dropped the ball here, firstly by not strongly telling Anton S and his team that the costume was unacceptable (we'll leave aside the fact he should have known this) and secondly by allowing it to be nominated. Way to throw a guy under the bus. TBH, his skating career is probably over now.
Yeah, it was ignorant on his part but ISU was also negligent. At least initially only hardcore FS knew about this costume but then ISU's decision drew more attention to it.
So Ted Barton interviewed the producer for this show. I get that they're trying to make the gala more "entertaining", but the whole red carpet, inviting "celebrities", making the skaters dress up in "nice clothes" and "making their voices heard" is so cringe-worthy, I can't even. Dude, it's a sport. The skaters are not working for the UN or whatever, nor are they actors. Is he trying to make this as superficial as possible? As much as I love, for instance, Nathan Chen's skating, I have no interest seeing him walking a red carpet in a suit, fake smiling for the cameras. This glorification stuff is weird.
Maybe it's just me?
Posters have addressed this earlier in the thread, but I’m still not seeing where it is that weird, to be honest.
Big name American sports do exactly that. NFL players walking into a theatre in their finest duds to pick up the ESPY for best comeback in a playoff game in 50 degree weather or some other ridiculous category.
And no one thinks NFL football is less of a sport
I have no problem with an awards ceremony constructed like this. Other sports do it all the time. But I like galas and they don’t need to be more entertaining. The combo is a bad idea.:dev2:
I'm probably overreacting since I haven't seen what the show is going to look like yet, so it's hardly fair to be too negative here. I guess I'm just hoping for figure skating to have more "class" than "glamour".
I hope they at least tell us who the public voted for.
I think they will try to make winners from worlds participants. That is why they need jury.The final awards will be decided by a "jury" made of of ISU-selected members. https://isu.org/figure-skating/isu-skating-awards They have the power to add several skaters who were not nominated. It is kind of unclear to me how the final nominees will be selected--by vote or by the jury. Members of the public did not get to vote for all categories. I wasn't even aware that the public voting was taking place--it is now closed. To me, it is the typical ISU distrust of the fans and the media. They know better and will make the final selection.
The public is dumb and stupid and easily (mis)guided by their silly favouritsms. Only proven 'expert' votes are to be trusted. Without transparency, this could just turn into a contest of 'envelopes' ...