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<p>I noticed this yesterday when watching the cross country ski race. They cut for a commercial at one point, and I was sure they were going to go away to some other sport, then come back with the rest later. They didn’t, which was great. I do like Scott Hamilton… he is a guy who made it big in a sport that gives a lot of bonus points to physical beauty, and he didn’t have that. I do miss Dick Button…</p>
<p>All of USF is claiming her. Go BULLS!</p>
<p>Team USA - Felicia Zhang
<a href=“http://tbo.com/sports/colleges/usf-bulls/local-figure-skater-bound-for-sochi-20140204/”>http://tbo.com/sports/colleges/usf-bulls/local-figure-skater-bound-for-sochi-20140204/</a></p>
<p>I’d have to be high as a kite to attempt those snowboard jumps. I can’t imagine what sort of drugs would be needed to make me even consider it!</p>
<p>It’s always been hard to love figure skating with all of its controversies, questionable judging and back room decisions. Much easier to watch that cross country/shooting race with the 40-year-old surprise winner who missed one shot and had to ski a penalty lap! </p>
<p>The young Russian skater was sweet, but it’s just not the same look or athleticism as it would be if she had gone through puberty already. </p>
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:)) </p>
<p>Greenwitch,</p>
<p>I’m the opposite. Love, love, love figure skating. </p>
<p>It was the favorite sport of our fearless leader, so not only Soviet Union invested a lot of money in this sport, they also showed these competitions on all two TV channels available in Soviet Union. So you couldn’t escape it. You had no choice but to love it.</p>
<p>I do find it sad that the sport is marred by the scandals. But I think the new scoring system makes the block or preferential judging harder to succed. This is why I find new allegations in ice dancing judging unbelievable. </p>
<p>I hadn’t even heard of any new allegations! Not sure I want to know. I’m still trying to get over the twitter-racist being one of the final torch bearers. </p>
<p>And Ashley Wagner mouthing “b—s----” after her score was announced. </p>
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<p>The incredibly obvious solution for improving judging is to remove anonymity. When anonymity is combined with the fact that scores can be pretty close, this gives execution judges the power to give boosts to skaters without really being noticed. Transparency will reduce corruption. The fact that the ISU publicly releases all scores is good, but it would be better if there were names attached to every judge’s score.</p>
<p>Man, I hope this guy wins!</p>
<p>Plushenko.</p>
<p>Lack of anonymity did not stop block or biased judging before the change. </p>
<p>I don’t want to go into technical details, but there are enough checks and balances, along with no guarantee whos scores will count, that make conspired judging harder to execute. </p>
<p>Anonymity in this system actually protects judges from being forced to do something they don’t want to do, because there’s no way to verify if the judge did what he was asked to do. I realize that it is also true regarding accountability, but this is why the checks and balances were implemented. </p>
<p>Moreover, latest allegations involve a very unlikely alliance.</p>
<p>That was beautiful! I hope she wins, too! The Japanese skater!</p>
<p>I think they said she couldn’t; she’s already in 8th place.</p>
<p>Aww, that sucks. The Russian girl is going to win correct? She did PHENOMENAL!</p>
<p>She blew the others away!</p>
<p>Enjoyed watching the live coverage of the Olympics, may have to spend some late nights/early mornings to get the best coverage.</p>
<p>Tomorrow: getting up at 7:15 for short track, then work for two hours (where I’ll have to sneak more short track on my phone), then class, then a break for men’s moguls before class and work again!</p>
<p>I hate watching that jackass Putin in the stands, but I have to say the Russian skaters are beyond amazing. </p>
<p>They are. </p>
<p>Agree - I really wish they would not waste valuable air time on showing Putin’s ugly mug! The skaters are amazing, especially the geezer among them! :)</p>
<p>U.S. women’s hockey wins 9-0. </p>
<p>Finally, a close game, albeit due to the world’s best goalie, Canada and Finland still scoreless after two.</p>