barbara

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.

Your experience doesn't remotely surprise me! And, I too, am sorry on so many levels for the athletes. No visiting Japan. Their parents can't even be there. And there are several para-olympians who dropped out because they weren't allowed to bring their necessary assistants. That is unforgivable.

It is my understanding that all the skaters, at least the senior skaters, would be vaccinated fully in July. There's no reason to think Yuzu won't be among them.

I once dated a Nationally ranked tennis player (this is a LONG time ago) and he wouldn't have dreamed of any "shenanigans" before a competition. I think, at past Olympics, the partying was pretty much after a personal event. And this Olympics, all athletes have to leave the country as soon as their events are over. No hanging out in the Olympic village and partying with athletes from all over. No staying in town for the closing ceremonies. Sad, really.

There is no such thing as "too much Yuzu".

Jun interview translation - no mention of if he plans on going to TCC or even who is coaching him, but if you can work yourself though all the twitter threads, it's a good article.

Wow! He looks so much healthier. I wonder what Stephane was feeding him. Certainly not fondue. That can't just be from his time in Switzerland, he must have been working on this during the spring, as well. His family must be so happy he is home and that he was there for the storm. Next, we'll want to hear about Shoma and Denis..... and if he'll be able to help Yuzu with his 4A. There's less of him to do it, but I think the 62 pounds won't impact his coaching in anything but a positive way.

As long as he tours the US and Canada, I'll be fine...

That little but vital piece of information just made my day. I don't need to spend time becoming furious when visiting PH.

And his death, I hope, was a wake-up call to the k-pop industry. The pressure to become successful is insane. And to stay popular a whole level higher. Idols are suppose to be project perfection and when they are suffering from depression and burn-out, how can they get help? I do hope there is a way for both the super popular artists, but also for all of those who get washed out in the trainee process.

I can't even go there. I can't even believe it. And not just for me. I can't believe it for Yuzu. I hope his plans are fluid, at this point, because at least a few months of training with his coaches in-person will make a world of difference. He is diligent and capable and hard working, but for the same reasons a doctor doesn't treat himself, Yuzu is not above benefitting from actual coaching. If he truly has the 4A as his principle goal, I don't know how he thinks he can achieve that without Ghislain and without in-person training. Staying in Japan just seems like an ill-thought out and rash idea. I guess this is a "talk to me in October" because I won't be able to accept this until after it's a fait accompli. "Moving on" is when he retires.

Roman is using a BTS song for his 2021-22 season Gala. And there are plenty of great ones Yuzu could use (they have Japanese versions of quite a few songs) - including two new ones (Butter being one of them, but Permission to Dance, just out last night, is super upbeat and happy.)

That is one short crumb. 22 seconds. But he looks good and it's great to hear his voice.

Also - Yuzu really likes BTS and it's the #1 group in the world. Roman is doing his new Gala program to BTS and I'd expect you'll see more skaters following. They have a very Yuzu attitude towards hard work and excellence. And, seriously, we have been experiencing an 18 month long Yuzu drought with very, very little Yuzu content available. I suggest you watch some BTS on YouTube (especially their more recent stuff) and enjoy. They are also very socially conscious and are extraordinarily influential in helping different charities globally.

Yet, hockey players are protected. The ISU should implement safety protocols. Period. Ted can really be an idiot.

I may squeak a little during the actual performance - and even the practices - but am more the silent, jaw-dropped-open fanyu.

it wasn't Brian's decision and no one NO ONE should have left the decision to skate to an injured teenager who is known to shake off injuries. Someone with a concussion does not know they have a concussion. Period. Your brain can get snapped around inside your skull and consequences of that injury are unlikely to appear immediately but can be devastating. I am grateful that Yuzu doesn't seem to have suffered any permanent damage from that collision but everything about how that was handled was wrong (and not because of his coach, who, oddly, had no influence over the decision to skate anyway.) Today (and in almost any other sport) he'd be sent to a hospital to be properly evaluated.

Not at all....I also have video from ACI 2019, but we had to shoot through the thick puck-marked hockey glass.... Thanks. Edit: I tried - I got a message saying the file is too big (?).

I think that today this kind of collision, and the force of it, and his immediate disorientation, would be enough for him to not allowed back on the ice. But then the ISU has demonstrated less regard for the health (especially long term health) than any sports organization I can think of. I think of Natasha Richardson (actress, Vanessa Redgrave's daughter, Liam Neeson's wife) who had one spill while learning to ski and hit her head. She seemed fine, didn't go to the hospital and ended up dead. I don't know if she'd have been okay if she'd immediately gotten medical treatment but it was a wakeup call for a lot of people. It really is amazing that Yuzu could skate and continue getting up, fall after fall, and do so well. He is tenacious and refuses to give up. But I hope people are paying more attention to head injuries these days.

And heard.

Okay - I've never uploaded anything to Google Drive and am clueless if this will work... To be fair to the other PW poster, the lighting was very weird in the arena for the SCI Gala, so clarity isn't magnificent. Also, I stopped recording as soon as he was done so I could scream appropriately and not be messing with my iPhone (and, yes, this was with an iPhone6). For me, it's especially sweet to know who those loudest screams are from (just behind me). https://drive.google.com/file/d/12d3pMeNNkKEb8VpAV7W83O1Tlz7GQz2n/view?usp=sharing

My video is actually clearer, but I don't have a YouTube channel, so, oh, well.... It was magical.