Queen Elizabeth is officially appalled. Her flag (unusually, white blue and red) is flying at half mast.
Remember these names - Ksenia Afanasyeva, Viktoria Komova, Anna Dementieva, Yulia Belokobylskaya, Yulia Inshina, Tatiana Nabieva, Alyona Polyan - they are all consummate artistic gymnasts, fulfilling the requirements of the sport to be both artistic and dynamic. They are a vibrant example of a dying breed, and they alone keep the sport alive.
There is not enough time in the world for me to articulate the dissent and dismay I am feeling at present, after the women's all around final. So for now, I will keep my silence. Other than to offer my sympathy - and congratulations - to Viktoria Komova in particular, and Ksenia Afanasyeva and the entire Russian team in general. But shortly, in the not too distant future, I intend to produce a review. A state of War may shortly be declared. A War of Words.
That is all I have to say at present.
Well, I was rooting badly for Vika in the AA finals. Her reaction over the results was just heartbreaking. I can't imagine how harsh this competition was for her. I don't think the judges were unfair, my impression is that Jordyn Wieber was psychologically stronger, she did not lost confidence after her poor performance on UB, that score weren't that low after all. On the other side, Vika was very tense and performed with hesitation, especially on beam and floor. But a silver medal after everything she passed this year is a tremendous achievement. I just wish health for her in London. :)
ReplyDeleteDear Viktoria
ReplyDeleteI hope you read this at some point or someone tells you about it. I was there tonight right in the second line facing UB. I watched the whole competition. I watched your UB routine as close and clear as you can imagine. I didnt see any bar touching. To be honest everyone sitting near me almost said the same thing, āthis is a jokeā. The whole place got struck by silence when your name appeared second. People left before medal ceremony. When we were leaving some said they want their money back.
Dear Viktoria, tonight there was only one champion Viktoria Komova. It didnt matter who went home with gold. What mattered who was the champion in the eyes of all the audience in that hall, the one who won the hearts of people, the Olympic favorite. It was you. She was a girl with a gold medal but not a champion, rather in the shade of a champion, in the shade of Viktoria Komova.
Dear Viktoria, I think you know the story of a man who lived in the shade of a golden medal that never belonged to him. A curse that scars him every time his name shows somewhere.
Dear Viktoria, Every time you will take the floor or podium the audience will point at you āthis is Viktoria Komovaā. Every time she will take the floor, UB or podium, audience will point āthis is the one took Komovaās goldā
Dear Viktoria, 9 months from now, with Mustafina, Grishna, Sidorova and others you have an appointment, an appointment with glorious history written in gold.
Dear Viktoria, I managed to get 3d line ticket in London Games. I will be there and I will yell when you near by āDear Viktoriaā
Emily Hine of UK
Jordyn deserved every bit of her win. Your just a sore loser like Komova. Jordyn is a much better gymnast. This Komova is better stuff is crap! who came out on top? Wieber!
DeleteI have removed an anonymous comment that was posted here as it was personally insulting and, quite possibly, defamatory. In future I recommend you stay away from my blog. That is all.
ReplyDeleteThanks Emily, and the first writer, for your comments. It is very interesting to hear the opinions of those who were in the arena, and to have an alternative perspective on the competition.
ReplyDeletecara VIKA, sei cosi' piccola e cosi' ferocemente abituata a vincere, come x i veri talenti...l'argento e' una sconfitta... ma l'istinto mi dice che sara' utile piu' dell'oro, perche' rimettera' tutto in prospettiva parola che oggi x te non ha significato ma domani a LONDRA quest'argento disperato sara' il penultimo gradino che ti portera' all'oro.... con affetto
ReplyDelete