Mark Mitchell: "Why would they come back to the rink?"

[kwanfan1818]

The selection criteria for Japan is clearer. They give the Japanese Fed leeway, but it's very clear among whom the decision is being made for each spot, and what BOW factors are included (officially).

When Kozuka made the Nationals podium in 2014, he knew exactly with whom he was being compared and what factors were not in his favor. He accepted the decision sadly, but gracefully.

 

[Carolla5501]

Maybe in the US, but it's an open secret that on Asian airlines, you have to be an extremely attractive woman under 25 to be a flight attendant. I would not make the cut.

I did not feel jealous of them when, on my last flight to Taipei, two extremely drunk middle-aged white men (not attractive at all, mind you) spent at least 10 hours straight talking about how hot Asian women were. And kept hitting on them.

Well since I am pretty sure Mark would be applying with a US airline I don't think the Asian airline rule matters (and yes, it's well known that not only do you have to be young and pretty, but you will be moved along when you aren't. US Airlines got over that a long time ago. I have a lot of Flight attendants older than I am, and I'm not exactly young!)

The selection criteria for Japan is clearer. They give the Japanese Fed leeway, but it's very clear among whom the decision is being made for each spot, and what BOW factors are included (officially).

When Kozuka made the Nationals podium in 2014, he knew exactly with whom he was being compared and what factors were not in his favor. He accepted the decision sadly, but gracefully.

Actually I think Ross has been fairly graceful.

 

[kwanfan1818]

Actually I think Ross has been fairly graceful.

He has, definitely.

He did say before the decision that he deserved to be chosen, as did Canadian skaters whose spots were in question, and I don't remember a Japanese skater ever making a similar statement.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Mark Mitchell spoke to TSL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0iHcgdO1Yw

Glad to hear the actual person speaking, thank you for finding it.

 

[Fabrichnova]

Well, that just dropped him another notch in my estimation. Why would he waste time talking to TSL?

Well they've talked to quite a few skaters and coaches, so your list must be quite long.

Whatever one might think of TSL, I'm not really surprised Mark or any high-profile person would appear on their show at this point. They've landed plenty of big names already. Disliking TSL is one thing, but acting as if they don't have a sizable following that would help get them Mark is another thing entirely.

 

[starrynight]

Who else would provide Mark with an opportunity to talk? Certainly not Ice Network or any of the other skating journalists that are aligned with USFSA and/or seek to not deviate from the party line.

If he wanted to give an interview I think TSL was his only option.

 

[Carolla5501]

Well they've talked to quite a few skaters and coaches, so your list must be quite long.

Whatever one might think of TSL, I'm not really surprised Mark or any high-profile person would appear on their show at this point. They've landed plenty of big names already. Disliking TSL is one thing, but acting as if they don't have a sizable following that would help get them Mark is another thing entirely.

I pretty much lose respect for people who feed trash talkers. I can tell you that I’m not impressed by the fact that people do talk to them. I’m actually sadly disappointed in the people who do.

 

[smarts1]

I pretty much lose respect for people who feed trash talkers. I can tell you that I’m not impressed by the fact that people do talk to them. I’m actually sadly disappointed in the people who do.

I mean I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with talking to TSL. Yes, the two current hosts are not many people's cup of tea and they sometimes really do cross the line, but at the same time they do give us a lot of interviews and content that we can't get in any other outlet.

 

[jlai]

He has, definitely.

He did say before the decision that he deserved to be chosen, as did Canadian skaters whose spots were in question, and I don't remember a Japanese skater ever making a similar statement.

Probably because the American culture is more individualistic; people are generally also more outspoken in their opinions

 

[Tavi]

I just listened to the TSL interview. It was well researched and they asked some excellent questions. Mark came across as very thoughtful and dedicated, both to his students and to the sport of figure skating. He’s a bit reserved, but I thought Dave and Jonathan did a good job of drawing him out. I didn’t realize that he had been an athlete member of the selection committee in years past. My impression was that he was not against the selection criteria per se, but he felt that they were unclear (not weighted) and weren’t really being applied equally to all the athletes. I was really surprised that although Ross got a text saying he’d been assigned as an alternate, they didn’t find out until the next day at the press conference that he was second alternate, and that he’d been assigned to 4CCs.

Ross decided not to do 4CCS because he’s not continuing, didn’t need the points, and he had just done two great performances.

 

[Marco]

He did say before the decision that he deserved to be chosen, as did Canadian skaters whose spots were in question, and I don't remember a Japanese skater ever making a similar statement.

I think everyone in that position should say that. Ashley did, Adam did. It is not going to affect the Committee's decision one way or another, but if you don't even support yourself, who will?

But my understanding is the Japanese culture is a little more humble - perhaps they also worry about possible repercussions for saying anything that could be construed as challenging authority?

 

[overedge]

I mean I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with talking to TSL. Yes, the two current hosts are not many people's cup of tea and they sometimes really do cross the line, but at the same time they do give us a lot of interviews and content that we can't get in any other outlet.

Because they make it up?

 

[kirkbiggestfan]

Glad to see Mark say that the selection committee body of work sucked! Expressing his frustration is the best therapy.

 

[Seerek]

My impression was that he was not against the selection criteria per se, but he felt that they were unclear (not weighted) and weren’t really being applied equally to all the athletes.

This is the big miss on the part of the USFSA. All of the other Pyeongchang Team USA teams that also used Body of Work as their selection criteria were way more clearer (i.e. use solely World Cup Points, then add up totals).

 

[Seerek]

There will not be a 1000 post thread if, say Chloe Kim "loses/wuzrobbed" the snowboard halfpipe gold medal in Pyeongchang.

Thank goodness. No wuzrobbed thread needed at all for this one.

 

[Vagabond]

No wuzrobbed thread needed at all for this one.

WUZROBBED!