Sombreuil

It will be interesting to see where he goes next - somewhere I read that when he did NDP he actually wanted to do Phantom, which of course eventually he did - maybe there are other warhorses out there that he's been wanting to do- iirc in the interview with Finland TV he said he wanted to skate to lots of different sorts of music. He made me enjoy Phantom - anything is possible.

I think I was probably blooming until the latest injury rumours - beginning to feel singed at the very least.

There isn't a deep sigh emoticon emphatic enough for the past week/month.

Good job you got us to give subs in case of WD

There is a lot of recycling of 'news' and with no competitions confirmed before the Olympics it's inevitable that everyone twitches every time one of these stories pops up, but they aren't saying anything new from any reputable source. The team event was was something that I wasn't terribly keen on before Sochi but if he's asked to represent his country I'm pretty sure he'll do it and last time it actually worked well for him- good solid performance in the team competition giving Japan the first place in the SP, followed by WR in the individual SP, so I'm not terribly worried about it and think it could well be beneficial. He has been clear that he wants two perfect performances this time and he'll be frustrated if he doesn't get them even if he wins. I get irritated with the commentators etc who make such a big deal about two clean performances at OG, as though to go clean with maximum difficulty was somehow the norm, when in fact the opposite is true - Olympic history is littered with imperfect gold medal winning performances which are either clean but mediocre content, or mistake ridden with difficult content ( and it's the same with GP and WC). To get one 'big picture' performance is marvellous and he did that last time. To get two would be magical but to expect it at OG is unrealistic. I've no doubt he's aiming for it and I believe it's possible that he might do it, but if he does it will be remarkable, astonishing, one for the history books, not the 'normal ' to be expected result. I don't actually need it - NHK/GPF 2015 was astonishing enough for me, though I will really enjoy it if he pulls it off.

It's almost as though he is clairvoyant - that much criticised decision to redo Chopin and Seimei looks like a mystical level of foresight now.

Well done! Best of luck 🍀🍀🍀🍀 It will be hard but hopefully satisfying work.

They are lovely on and off the ice - love her eye rolling

Oh I agree!

I grew up near there! Believe me an adult mute swan is a big scary bird capable of breaking an adult persons arm. I got pecked at by one as a child- very scary indeed, especially at hatching time in the spring

I would have enjoyed it very much, but I shall be back in the internet free zone that is my parents house, weather permitting. Hope you all enjoy it

Those things always look so peculiar - never understood the attraction of Mme Tussauds.

Startled to find my mix of personal favourites, sentimental picks and the obvious bookies picks put me so high up the list - but then it has been the weirdest GP series. Thanks @Joey for organising it and well done to the winners.

I think everyone needs to calm down. Get back to work/ homework/ writing papers whatever you normally do. There's a lot of bits of 'news' leaking all over the place -ignore and wait until something else comes out from TCC or JSF. If he's well enough for Nats he'll be there- if he's not we'll see him in PC. Whipping yourselves into a state doesn't do anyone any good and if he were to see any of it might have a bad effect.

I'm reeling under the length of time it took him to recover in 2013 - these details drip out years after the event.

Polunin, Kumakawa - the ballet dancers seem to like him even if the ballet loving commentators find him lacking....?

A bone inflammation sounds horrendous - I hope he's taking good advice and taking care of himself.

She must be so fed up with the press - how will this play out in Russia - is there a sort of leadership role played by seniors as there often seems to be in Japan or are they less/not at all influential?

Love the banner

Macho culture plus the Great God⚽️

I've just read the decision - they're gunning for the officials and doing their best to enable the athletes to compete. I'll be willing to bet the inclusion of the word 'Russia' in the athlete description, while it may not be enough for some or all of the athletes to feel ok about competing will have some of the more hardline critics baying that it isn't enough. If they're right about the systemic state led doping, then it's very depressing- one knows it goes on and that individuals and their coaches and doctors do it, and that countries turn a blind eye but this is giving me flashbacks to East Germany in the 70s - not as widespread perhaps but if it were ignored where would we be in 8/12/16 years time? I just hope there are no awful medical consequences in 10/15 years time for the athletes. Depressed.

I think the IOC chose to 'put their foot down' for the 'lesser'games - I was waiting in the run up to Rio to see whether the Russian gymnasts would be there.

I think there is some hope that the neutral option might be used- they allowed it for the IAAF so why not for OWG? It would be nice if the bits of western media that like to rant and stir the pot would refrain from doing that and inflaming the situation. One thing about it - Russian athletes tend to have very Russian names so even competing as neutrals it's pretty obvious even to the most casual and ill informed viewer where they come from and who they normally represent.

According to my newspaper this morning, although Putin has said that a ban would be 'humiliating' a spokesman 'insisted' that even if a ban is imposed Russia will not prevent those cleared to compete as neutrals from doing so. Well, we'll know in a few hours.

Meh - it's a bit of fun that will hopefully get us through this last hurdle before things get really serious. I went by the ones that I could remember plus a boost for TJ who are always my favourites. The main competition is going to be odd and I can't say I'm looking forward to it but I will enjoy the juniors