Johnny Weir about Skating Chats

[3ggi3]

Johnny: "No, I'm not reading chat sites. I hear what gets said, and it's awful that people are so critical without really knowing what is going on. People believe they're too much in the skater's head, and it aggravates me. If fans are going to go negative, then I'd really love to see them do it better, and I'd like to say, "Hey you go out there - on skates, in the skin-tight outfits, in front of the audience and the judges - and you do it, you show us all how it's supposed to be done.

So much of the Internet is crass and tacky. I train hard, that's my job. If people think they have to write bad things, well, then that's what I get for being in the spotlight. Figure skating can be very love/hate. I have the attitude, because I've been brought up this way, that if someone is critical, you call them on it and simply say, "let's see you do it better." Even at the small rinks and competitions, everyone is out to kill everyone else. It's a highly competitive sport, and fans are getting even more competitive. It's cut-throat, and paying too much attention to what is said is delving into waters I don't really care to dive into. It doesn't affect me, and even if my popularity grows, I won't let it affect me. I'm very comfortable with who I am, and my life outside of skating."


Hmmm....

[Bailey]

True - every word is very true.

[Sylvia]

Here's the link to the Golden Skate interview that's excerpted above:
http://goldenskate.com/articles/2004/121804.shtml

[bleu]

So true!!!. As fans, we have it easy.....and all in 365 days

[sk8er1964]

I have really admired his skating, and now I am beginning to admire his attitude. He's young, with the arrogance of the young, but he also has flashes of wisdom of the wise.

As far as the internet goes, there's some really, really nasty people out there, posting on the forums. This one is pretty good, but on some of them - phew. Some of those fans really need to get a life :roll: .

[loveskating]

Isn't he smart!

I love it when an athlete is smart and wise.

[blades]

8-)

not bad...some good comments...but (there's always a "but")...i'd like to know when it stopped being a sport, fun, a passion and became a "job"...

[loveskating]

You mean, "I train hard, that's my job"?

I read that differently...I thought it meant that he has a sense of responsiblity to himself, his fans and his federation to work hard...which of course, he does. That's what gets you past that point where you think you are going to physically die.

I know cuz I had to run 60 punishment laps up and down the bleachers, to boot (10 at a time) for missing passes one day in basketball scrimmage, as we called our practices.

I thought he pretty much covered the "passion" area when he said "I don't worry about the code of points a lot, I just try to skate like I want to skate!" I thought that was great, cuz its not easy to skate like he does, always on those edges.

[Kemy]

8-)

not bad...some good comments...but (there's always a "but")...i'd like to know when it stopped being a sport, fun, a passion and became a "job"...

A job can be fun and a passion. It depends on the job and how you feel about it. Skating IS Johnny's job, no matter how you put it. He needs to skate and skate well in order to support himself at this stage...just like everyone else. He just has a job that some people (ME!) would envy.

[blades]

8-)

heard that comment from too many competitors...

it's just figure skating...and they're just kids...

calling skating their "job" is one of my pet peeves... :roll:

[icenut84]

calling skating their "job" is one of my pet peeves... :roll:

Why? Skating is how most of them make their living. They work hard at it, and they get paid for it (e.g. in prize money or endorsements, etc). If it's how you make your living, why not refer to it as a job? At his level, it's more than just a fun hobby, it's also the source of his income.

[loveskating]

Johnney just doesn't skate like its a job to him.

I understand what type of thing you are talking about, maybe, but that's not Johnney. Its a job when a great opera singer starts to transpose whole operas down so he can look like he is singing a B when he can't anymore.

But the feeling of skating or singing and watching and/or listening to these are totally different experiences. When a skater is skating, they are working...its totally different than if they watched someone else skating.

[leon]

I read "job" to mean his chosen life's work....not work in the sense of something you have to do but your mission, your avocation. To get there takes hard work which is not always easy or fun or painless.
Some seem bent on taking the narrowest, most negative twist on a casual phrase --- which is exactly the point Johnny was making.
There is so much to enjoy in his skating, lets do that!

[blades]

8-)

has nothing to do with twisting his words against him...good grief!

i've heard the phrase repeated often by competitors and coaches...mostly in the last 20 years or so...

call it a zen thing maybe, but, i don't like the phrase...it shouldn't be a "job"...and...to try to explain it further than that is an exercise in futility...if you don't get it...you won't get it, regardless of any explaination...

blades (unapologetically a skating/sports purist)

[fadedstardust]

Wow. I love how the public never lets people in a place of scrutiny make their own choices and choose their own lives without feeling like they have the right to tell them it's wrong. Everyone's coming down on Sasha for her coaching changes, and saying they're "let down" by her screwing up her programs and how frustrated they are (I will never understand how they can feel that way, it's not their life, it's not their friends...it makes no sense, disappointed maybe, but frustated??) and NOW, Johnny Weir can't even feel like figure skating is his job because you think it's wrong to look at it that way? First of all, I bet he meant to say....it's his job in...that's what he is supposed to do, what is expected of him by himself and his coach/family. It's his "duty" so to speak. But even if he meant job- skating IS a job for elites. It pays the bills, it's full time, they do nothing else. It IS a profession, like it or not. And if at the end of the day he meant "job" in a bady way...so what? You're all so happy that he's honest even when he's being downright rude about other skaters, and you're offended that he thinks his sport is his job? Come on now.

[FSWer]

I must say on the surcurity side I really do agree. Skaters do need to be protected. But I must say that they overdo it a lot of the times. Why can't rink people just take you to meet the skaters and get it done and over with?!!!!! I know in Simsbury they keep the (I hope this is not considered a swear) freakin' rink doors locked even if you get there early. You can only get in the lobby. I've had a hard time meeting skaters, eeeeeeech.

[CanAmSk8ter]

Why can't rink people just take you to meet the skaters and get it done and over with?!!!!! I know in Simsbury they keep the (I hope this is not considered a swear) freakin' rink doors locked even if you get there early. You can only get in the lobby. I've had a hard time meeting skaters, eeeeeeech.

Two issues here: one, how is rink security supposed to *know* that you aren't there to harm a skater or do something inappropriate? They don't. Should they put an entire show's cast at risk because you would like to meet a skater? And two, buying a ticket to a show entitles you to see the show. Period. It doesn't give you the right to go backstage and bother skaters who are getting ready to perform. If word got out that a certain rink let the general public just come backstage before shows, eventually word would spread and very few skaters would be willing to come do shows at that rink.

Back on topic, I agree completely with Johnny Weir. This board isn't bad compared to some of the others, but I've seen posts on lots of boards criticizing skaters when the poster clearly as no idea what he/she is talking about. I'm on a competitive synchro team, and I steer clear of posts on the synchro board that I think might mention my team. I know if something nice is posted, one of my friends will tell me. Likewise, my friends who are national competitors stay far away from skating boards, because they know if there's something nice posted about them I'll print it out and bring it to the rink for them. I'd never encourage any of my friends to read skating boards.

[fadedstardust]

Because they are training, this is a training center, not a free show. Skaters are not constant performers, they don't want people going in, taking pictures, watching their programs, watching them work on a new element and fall a lot, and all around don't want to be watched and gawked at and having to sign autographs at their own rink! They are there to train, and such things are horrible distractions. There's a time and a place for everything, and at a training center while elite athletes are training is not one of them. I'm a skater and I've trained at Simsbury, and have walked by, talked to, and trained alongside a lot of the skaters mentioned here, and never once did I ask for their picture, autograph, blah blah blah because they are people too, skaters too, and there's no reason to treat them like they are aliens to their own everyday lives. And never once were the doors closed for me, I saw everyone's programs, because I wasn't disrupting anyone. So did a lot of other respectful people. They don't owe you their time, unlike rockstars, they don't owe their success to you buying something of theirs. Your support is great and every skater appreciates it, but it doesn't mean their entire daily life is open for you to barge in on. Would you get frustrated if a prima ballerina was in her ballet class and they wouldn't let you sit in the corner to watch? Just silly, IMO. Let people live their lives and go live yours, you can survive without meeting these people.

[icenut84]

fadedstardust - :bow: Well put.

And ITA with Johnny Weir. I like visiting the boards, but I don't know if I would if I was an elite skater because some of the things some poeple post are just awful. Senseless criticisms, nasty remarks, etc. So many of us make comments (e.g. about a coaching change) without really knowing what we're talking about - none of us (probably) know either the skater or the coach personally, so who are we to rip someone apart for doing what they think is best for their own career? Why can't people just enjoy the skating and the soap opera without being nasty?
I love Johnny Weir's honesty. And in the rest of that article, he made a great imression on me with his honesty, his handling of the questions, and the respect he showed to other skaters he referred to (Joubert, Plushenko, Sandhu). On FSU, lots of people are saying it's the best skater interview they've read in a long time/ever. Way to go, Johnny. 8-)

[LittleBitSk8er]

Two issues here: one, how is rink security supposed to *know* that you aren't there to harm a skater or do something inappropriate? They don't. Should they put an entire show's cast at risk because you would like to meet a skater? And two, buying a ticket to a show entitles you to see the show. Period. It doesn't give you the right to go backstage and bother skaters who are getting ready to perform. If word got out that a certain rink let the general public just come backstage before shows, eventually word would spread and very few skaters would be willing to come do shows at that rink.

Back on topic, I agree completely with Johnny Weir. This board isn't bad compared to some of the others, but I've seen posts on lots of boards criticizing skaters when the poster clearly as no idea what he/she is talking about. I'm on a competitive synchro team, and I steer clear of posts on the synchro board that I think might mention my team. I know if something nice is posted, one of my friends will tell me. Likewise, my friends who are national competitors stay far away from skating boards, because they know if there's something nice posted about them I'll print it out and bring it to the rink for them. I'd never encourage any of my friends to read skating boards.
What are some of the other boards? Where are the links? Can someone post? Do not be too critical of Johnny it is his passion that lead him to this job. He is paid for his passion, how blessed is he? It sounds like people are envious of him. Relax and enjoy the skating and at times every skater will not be at his or her personal best while on the ice, such is life. No one is perfect, were human. If all the years of skating I have only been disappointed in one skater and he quit skating his program because he forgot it. I was disappointed because it was an exhibition and he could have just adlibbed it! BTW, he is a professional skater.

[CanAmSk8ter]

I was thinking of some of the boards that are dedicated to particular skaters. I don't visit any of them regularly because they're mostly for fans of ladies singles, none of whom I feel that strongly about. But when I hear things are getting truly nasty and/or catty, curiosity often gets the better of me and I pop in to lurk. I usually regret it. It baffles me how some of these people can truly think they know what a certain skater "should" do or "needs to do" when they don't skate themselves. There's a big difference between posting something like "I wonder if a coaching change would help her?" and "What is she doing still with X? She needs to change coaches before it's too late."

BTW, I know several of the skaters who are discussed on these boards frequently, and they all agree with any of what Johnny said. None of them would read boards.

[elbeep]

Sylvia, thanks for the link. Nice interview. Good questions. Enjoyed the responses. Weir seems like he has his head screwed on straight.

[WeBeEducated]

8-)

heard that comment from too many competitors...

it's just figure skating...and they're just kids...

calling skating their "job" is one of my pet peeves... :roll:


Johnny is an adult. Since he isnt in college he would normally be working some kind of job as an adult at this time, so skating really is his job!
He makes money from it, and it provides him with a career, not a hobby.

[jss]

People can be too harsh sometimes and people who have no clue shouldn't be trying to comment. But if I see something that needs to be fixed or wasn't great what is wrong with pointing that out? Just cause I personally can't do it doesn't mean that my opinion is invalid.

I do think it is great that he ignores the chat boards, I would too if I were a skater!!

[likes2skate]

Did anyone else find it amusing when Michelle sarcastically said the reason she does not skate a full season and do 3/3's was because she was lazy? I wonder if she reads skating chats, or someone from her camp reads them?

I thought that was so funny!

[loveskating]

Well, we know that some skaters have read some forums at some times. I suspect few have time to do so, even if they wanted to, except rarely. Mostly, I think the more intellectually curious would do so.

An opera singer once told me that she listened only to people close to her, not to anyone else.

But the forums now are not what they used to be...in the past, when many (hundreds) of people were posting, before skating slapped itself in the face to spite its nose in 2002, one could learn a lot and get a good sense of the real issues, at least.

[Shinn-Reika]

Wiith what I've seen, people can be their harshest in forums. So there really is no point in listening to them. It's like talking behind someone's back. People say things that they wouldn't do straight to someone's face. Of course skating forums seem kind of tame compared to a lot of others.

Anyway, I think it's really cool that weir is so determined. I think the fact that we're having more men in this sport that are determined is a big plus. People like weir, Sandhu, or plushenko that go their own way, even it it becomes risky at times, or inspirational. Makes me want to do better.

<muses at grandiose dreams at being a revolutionary>