Olympic Champ says
Plushenko 'Has Nothing to Complain About!'
"Both
of Evgeni's triple lutzes were
borderline. … the quality of his performance leaves much
to be desired. … It is very upsetting, but we have no right to be angry. We very
much wanted Evgeni to win. That's why it is very hard
to be objective."
Figure skater Evgeny Plushenko: He and many Russians believe that the Olympic judging system was unfair, but at least one former Russian champion disagrees.
Moscow: Legendary Olympic champion
Irina Rodnina
explains Plushenko's defeat at the Olympic Games in
Vancouver.
Despite talk that EvgenyPlushenko was judged
unfairly at the Vancouver Olympic Games, multiple Olympic champion
in pairs figure skating, Irina Rodnina, told LifeSports that the results were, as they say, according
to the game. Let us recall that EvgeniPlushenko won the silver medal at the Olympics, with the
gold going to American Evan Lysacek. Lysacek surpassed the emperor, as Plushenko
was nicknamed by the North American press, without a quadruple jump in his
arsenal.
Irina Rodnina: Speaking only of how clean the skating was, Lysacek was of course better. If we talk of the quality of
skating, speed and coherence, the American looked better in these areas as well.
Evgeni had one big advantage - the quadruple jump - but
at the same time, in the performance of our champion, there were enough small
errors that weren't noticeable to all. Lysacek, meanwhile,
had a winning appearance, a balanced program, all elements carefully woven into
his program, logically. And Evgeni, it was especially
obvious in the second half, was skating from jump to jump.
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
LifeSports:
Yes - and even those, it seemed, were about to fall apart …
Irina Rodnina: Both of Evgeni'striple lutzes
were borderline. Technically, this is a very difficult
element and you could give him a check for that. But the quality of his performance
leaves much to be desired.
Undoubtedly, everything was
great, but Evgeni didn't have enough passion … drive.
And passion is exactly what we saw in his performance in Turin. Those were
spectacular programs.
LifeSports:
But Evgeni fought hard and really wanted to win.
Irina Rodnina: Yes, we must give him his due (Rodnina
smiled). Both in the short and the free program, he displayed a fighting spirit.
And I really love people who fight. And reproaching Evgeni
isn't what we want. Perhaps he simply chose to prepare too little for the
Olympic Games. (Plushenko returned after taking a
two year break from skating) I don’t know. Physically, he got into shape, but
there's no longer that former ease, even in his gliding. And as we know, from a
champion - more is expected.
LifeSports:
So there shouldn't be any indignance over second place as opposed to first?
Irina Rodnina: It is very upsetting, but we have no right to be angry.
LifeSports:
Everything is correct, then?
Irina Rodnina: Unfortunately, yes (Irina Konstantinovna
almost whispered). But we very much wanted Evgeni to
win. That's why it is very hard to be objective.
LifeSports: What kind of impression did ArtemBorodulin make on you? (photo, right)
Posted by WORLDMEETS.US
Irina Rodnina: It's truly fortunate that boys like this emerge in
Russian figure skating. There are four years until the Sochi Games, and now it's
important to keep this boy and assist with his professional growth.
LifeSports:Artyom once admitted that he wanted to skate on the
same level as EvgeniPlushenko,
and then surpass him. Do you think he will?
Irina Rodnina: He has everything he needs to do it. The main thing
is not to lose him, and to cultivate him as a champion for Sochi.
