After Sasha Cohen (L) of the United States and Irina Slutskaya (R) of Russia ended the short program in the women’s Figure Skating competition on Tuesday in a virtual tie, everyone presumed last night’s final would be a cold war battle for the gold between them, figuratively, with the other skaters fighting for bronze.
Well, as it happens, I’m congenitally disposed to the underdog. Therefore, though many of you probably felt agony over the outcome of this premiere event of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympic Games, I was thrilled by the triumph of Shizuka Arakawa (C) of Japan over her presumptive bettors – after she skated a flawless performance in her long program whilst the others skated on their butts. And, thank God, there’s no scandal or controversy surrounding her undisputed victory.
I would be remiss if I did not mention how impressed I was by Shani Davis who won gold in the 1000 and silver in the 1,500 meters speedskating races. In so doing, he became the first black athlete to win an individual gold medal at the Winter Olympics. I’m all for breaking stereotypical racial barriers in every aspect of human life and endeavors. So, well done Shani!
NOTE: Since this is the debut of my new feature “Good (news) Friday”, I shall refrain from commenting on magazine cover-boy Bode Miller or the invincible Canadian men’s hockey team….
Olympic Figure Skating, Shani Davis, Torino Winter Olympics
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Anonymous says
Ookini arigatou! Thank you Thank you.
Rebecca says
Hi Anthony
I’m one of those who felt agony when Sasha lost the gold. I’m happy for the Japanese girl though.
What do you think of the fight between Shani and Chad?
Ravic says
I like this “Good (news) Friday”. If only the news agencies would follow … then again, it might be mis-interpreted as something religious.
Jennifer says
I’m with you Ravic about this feature.
I also think it’s great that Anthony chose this Japanese skater as his good news Friday story instead of some American athlete.
BTW I think the religious allusion was intentional. That’s what I like about his writing. There’s always so much more to his words than meets the eye. But I don’t think this is religious in a way that anyone would find offensive. Don’t you think?
ravic says
Jennifer, I agree – I was just thinking about how the major news agencies would never be able to use that line in our overly politically correct world.
BTW, here is a little known fact: Anthony Nesty was the first black athlete to win a medal in an Olympic swimming event. He beat Matt Biondi by 0.01 seconds in the 100m butterfly in the ’88 Seoul games. It was the first (gold) medal for him and for (my native) Suriname.
ALH ipinions says
Rebecca
I regret the way that spat dominated so much coverage of the games (and actually diminished Shani’s historic accomplishment). I also think Shani could have been a little more engaging in his first NBC interview after winning gold for the 1000. However, I empathize with his disgust at the thin-skinned, superficial and all too biased media when it comes to dealing with black people, period!
Ravic and Jennifer
I appreciate your references to the “Good (news) Friday” feature. You are both correct in your assumptions. But, as my article below on political correctness gone mad demonstrates, I do not suffer too much sensitivity in this respect.