Art and Sport in the 2010 Olympics February 22, 2010
Plushenko, Lysacek, and Takahashi on the Olympic podium for men's figure skating
The tension between art and athleticism was epitomized in the whole debate in men’s figure skating at the Vancouver Winter Olympics this year. Plushenko was an imposing superstar and tour de force in his impossibly consistent quadruple jumps, yet his focus on jumps took his focus away from the artistic aspects of the sport and other required elements. Evan Lysacek was the elegant and more well rounded skater, although he smartly played it safe by not attempting a quadruple jump in his long program. This won him the gold medal. With this victory, it was a small score for artistry in a sport where the tension seems to split the jump-heavy sport into two factions. And with this gold medal, it’s bound to shape the future of the sport and its emphasis on artistry and consistency.
(Does anyone else think it’s a bit ironic that Lysacek used to be the face of athleticism, especially compared to fellow American figure skater Johnny Weir? With the polarizing presence of Plushenko however, Lysacek became catapulted to err on the artistic side of the sport.)
Aside from this controversy, it seems wrong to think of artistry and athleticism to be completely separate entities. Can anyone doubt the art in the stretch and ease and grace in speed skater Shani Davis’ long lines, especially with the speed that he picks up around the jaw-dropping turns? The explosive power in snowboarder Shaun White’s jumps as he sails through the air? Artistry feeds into athleticism, and you can’t have one without the other.
My favorite men’s figure skaters were Daisuke Takahashi, Stephane Lambiel, and Johnny Weir with wonderful artistry in easing into the ice with their knees which was a welcome relief from nervous stiffness seen on the ice in other skaters. Their scores suffered when Takahashi fell on his attempted quadruple jump and Lambiel was plagued with technical troubles in his long program, but it was their flight on ice that made a mark.
Any predictions for medalists for women’s figure skating? Ice dancing is on TV right now, and I still don’t understand WHAT it is.
Glad you shared your thoughts on this, Jolene! Interestingly, Lysacek and Plushenko received identical program component scores, which measure artistry. But Lysacek got a slightly higher score for his technical components because his jumps were executed better than Plushenko’s. The media seems to be overlooking this fact and instead highlighting Lysacek’s artistry, but perhaps this is because his performance (at least to me) was choreographically more interesting than Plushenko’s, and definitely about much more than just the jumps.
I completely agree with you that athleticism and artistry are not mutually exclusive, and non-figure skating Olympic athletes definitely show artistry. But I think their scores are based solely on speed, and not on the trickier, more subjective matter of artistry. I shared some more thoughts on this yesterday on my blog: http://dancingperfectlyfree.com/2010/02/22/figure-skating-the-quad-quandary/
Plushy is a whiny 2 year old who’s mother didn’t teach him manners. He should be sent home for conduct unbecoming of an Olympian… Evan beat Plushy on the jumps for crying out loud! Not to mention that Plush funnily enough LOST to Tim Goebel in 2003 at World Championships because of Jumps (Tim Geobel is nicknamed “The Quad King”. It’s rather funny/sad. He’s a very sore loser. And No, Evan has also had artistic marks. His spins, footwork, and transitions have been some of the best in the business for years, unlike Johnny.
Ice dancing comes from Ballroom just faster and on ice.
Women: Kim Yu Na (though I’m not particularly happy about that), then Mao Asada, and then Joannie Rochette.
Hi Evan and Katrina – thanks for commenting!
@Evan – I thought it was fascinating that they both got the same scores for artistry as well. I’m still not sure what that means. I think the sport is struggling with an identity crisis as well, and the tension between artistry and sport is very real and not yet resolved even in the judges’ minds.
I too thought Lysacek deserved the gold – not only were his jumps solid, but Plushenko sealed his own fate by struggling with some of the landings on his triple jumps.
@Katrina – thanks for defining ice dancing!
Yeah, Plushenko’s behavior is becoming more and more unbearable, but to be honest, he’s just making himself look bad. Who can take him seriously? Did you see that he awarded himself the platinum medal? http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/olympics_blog/2010/02/evgeni-pluschenko-platinum-medal-evan-lysacek-olympics-upset-bitter-website.html
Why aren’t you happy about Kim Yuna?? I used to share a rink with her *occasionally* (not that I was anywhere near her league) when I took ice skating lessons in Korea a few years ago. She was younger then, and I had no idea she would come this far…
You’re welcome!
Yah I saw that yesterday. I’m not surprised. What I am surprised at is that Rouge is not doing anything about it.
As for Evan, he definitely has both artistry and athleticism. I highly suggest go and watching this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6edwp_xtpc
I like her short program but as for her long program, I don’t know.. something about it just doesn’t do it for me … Just to be fair, I don’t particularly like either of the American women. To me, most of the women’s field this year to me is rather boring…