barbara

This might not be the correct forum to post this on - but I know a lot of us have VPN's so we can watch Yuzu skating without being restricted by country...

If they have to announce entries and are a week after Finlandia, why hasn't Finlandia announced entries yet? That's the one I thought Yuzu would go to, if any, because it works into his schedule and it isn't an Olympic rest event (what "test event" means.....)

Where do we actually have spectators?

Rika does not have to quarantine when entering Canada (I am presuming she is vaccinated as the JSF said they would have their skaters vaccinated by August.). Who knows what rules will be in place for any country two months from now. I hope Japan gets their percentage of vaccinated up.

Any known update to Jun's plans? Canada is now open to international (vaccinated) travelers without them having to quarantine, so he could, hypothetically, fly back this week.

I love all those things - his gentleness, his artistic interpretation, his technical finesse, his transitions, his humanity - and, hello! His speed! He is SO fast.

R+J has been used by multiple skaters (Jun, for instance - but a very different version). I would think that Nam will have totally different choreo and probably even a different version of the song. Unless he states he's doing an something to commemorate Yuzu, I would think his take will be original.

I think this is the only place I've ever heard about Yuzu interacting like a regular person with a friend.

And then there's this from the OC

What do those symbols stand for? He doesn't have any repetitions in his name.... (Clearly I know zero Japanese...)

Tokyo forged ahead - but a year postponed. Will they postpone?

This needs to be a poster.

Has the IOC made sense to anyone in the last couple of years? Who did they use to develop this schedule? Flipping the individual men's and pairs events would obviously be better. If they have released multiple versions of the skating events schedule then they can correct this - probably after different federations complain about this. And, knowing Boyang is also at a disadvantage, it's clear that this is all IOC and not anyone in China. Does anyone know how far in advance of the 2018 games a final schedule was published?

Welcome back - but, what? There is some other sport to watch? It's a relief to have only one sport I am truly passionate about following (not that there aren't other sports I enjoy watching or participating in) - though, really, it has been a very dry 18 months being a FS fan - it's necessary to have other interests.

I could be wrong about this, but I really don't see a lot of Trumpsters being into FS one way or the other, so if NBC thinks toxic masculinity in Men's FS is going to draw a bigger viewing audience, they're probably wrong. No matter what NC say between now and the Olympics, people who love FS will watch, but not because of him.

I can't, offhand, think of a male skater, in the past couple of decades, who is as "masculine" as Plushenko, yet Origin is an homage to him. He deftly mixed pure power with artistry. And I don't think he'd ever say that Yuzu's artistic and interpretive approach to the sport is anything but brilliant. (And Yuzu is just as explosive and physical as NC - he's just also capable of including art in his skates.)

We know the original of what he said was deleted but NC has issued an apology. Appropriate and likely suggested to him - but,,,

She's also, actually, while born in Japan, has spent most of her life in the US. I still think she was a fine choice, but not typical.

While Canada will be open to international travelers, and we all feel that Yuzu will be vaccinated because he is one of the senior skaters (Rika and Shoma have definitely been vaccinated), will his mother be? Doubtful. And doubtful that Yuzu would return without his mother. I hadn't thought about him maybe not wanting to uproot her, but that could be a contributing factor to any decision he makes. I also truly believe that he needs Ghislain to achieve the 4A, so, if Yuzu is unable, or unwilling, to return to Canada, we can hope he will get the help he needs to achieve his dream. Will the IOC have any influence on the judging at Beijing? Or will ISU dominate? While I am rooting for all the athletes currently in Tokyo, and hoping they stay healthy, I am almost hoping that the viewership bombs. I'll watch replays of my favorites, but am trying to avoid as much of the NBC coverage as possible, since they are, truly, the dominating force behind the NC push.

It completely baffles me that Yuzu fans would find BTS annoying. (I get that the photoshop might not be liked, but that's a different thing.) Yuzu and BTS have so much in common. Hard working, talented, driven, humble and generous. The long Yuzu drought gave me BTS and they helped me through. It's not like anyone is preferring a different skater. Different disciplines, though they both have exquisite moves. I put this kind of thing in the same category as "haters" because I just don't understand that either.

What a find!

I've always thought that it is a veteran, older Olympian who would be the one who'd light the torch. It is remotely possible that no older Japanese Olympians were willing to risk getting sick. But I expect they were going for the dazzle of Naomi for ratings. She is certainly one of the top tier of Japanese athletes, but doesn't fit the usual criteria.

I'm going to have to disagree with you. Yes, tennis is a popular sport around the world, and she is well known. But Yuzu is one the top "googled' athletes, globally, and is always something like 60 or higher for the most popular, using everything from google searches, social media presence (and he's the only one on the list aside from an American golfer with zero social media), endorsements and other criteria. (And the list includes athletes from way more popular global sports, like soccer and cricket.) That said, Naomi was an excellent choice (since I am certain Yuzu would have turned it down.) She is a "summer" athlete and a wonderful role model, so I am happy for her.

I, for one, am neither surprised nor disappointed that Yuzu was not part of the torch relay or opening ceremonies. I would imagine he was asked to participate, but we know how he feels about the state of emergency in Tokyo and the decision to go forward with the games. And I am very happy he didn't risk his health just to be someone they could show on TV. Just the hope that he'd be there drove up the viewership. The IOC should be satisfied with that.

Yuzu and BTS - they couldn't have chosen any more popular people if they'd tried. A perfect combination.