Interesting new Kurt article...

[jcspkbfan]

I'm kind of surprised to read how Kurt's changed his opinion on the new judging system since last fall (when he was one of the few skaters who had positive things to say about it!)

http://www.canada.com/ottawa/sports/story.asp?id=FE49C76C-F244-4956-9129-977246FE920B

As a huge Kurt fan, I have to admit off the bat (since I'm sure a lot of others will!) that, yes, the comment on Urmanov was uncalled-for (and, yes, Kurt was referring to Urmanov, not Ilia Kulik!), but sadly, I also have to agree with everything else he says in the article. :cry:

On a brighter note, the article also contains a spoiler about the gender of Kurt and Sonia's unborn child. ;)

[Artemis]

Originally posted by jcspkbfan
On a brighter note, the article also contains a spoiler about the gender of Kurt and Sonia's unborn child.

Well, if Kurt & Sonia don't mind the "spoiler" I guess the rest of us can't reasonably object!

BTW, what's with the photo in that article?

[jcspkbfan]

The only other photo I've ever seen of Kurt in that costume was taken when he briefly skated in the 1996 Worlds closing ceremonies with Kristi Yamaguchi, so I'm guessing that's where this photo was taken as well. And I agree they could have chosen a more flattering photo--that outfit probably ranks just below his bright red Rocketeer jumpsuit on my "least-favorite Kurt costumes ever" list! :oops:

[Germanice]

Yeah, and if figure skating is on it's way down, just blame it on the Russians! How dare they to be so incredible good and winning all the time??? Sorry, but I'm just tired of all this evil-Russians-always-spoil-our-party-whining!

---

I've always admired Kurt for the person he is, his amazing entertainig abilities and his grace. But these comments were just wrong. I'm unbelievable disappointed and still refusing to believe he actually said all this.

And what an arrogance toward Alexei Urmanov! His remarks were just ugly and disrespectful! Is there still some bitterness for not winning an Olympic medal after all these years? Come on, Kurt, it's for sure not Urmanov's fault!

Don't get me wrong, Urmanov is not even one of my favourite skaters. Kurt is one of them instead, or at least was ... :(

Anke

[Trillian]

Originally posted by Germanice
And what an arrogance toward Alexei Urmanov! His remarks were just ugly and disrespectful!

To be fair, I don't think the comments were meant to directly insult Urmanov's character or skating. Browning basically said, has he been a role model for other skaters coming up? No. That doesn't mean he's saying he's been a bad role model, he's saying he just hasn't done a lot for other skaters to look up to. Which maybe something a lot of us disagree with, but I don't think it was quite on the level of saying something like "Urmanov sucks." Still probably not a remark that's going to win him any fans, though.

(Personally, I'll take it at face value and figure Kurt really doesn't think Urmanov has done anything notable since Lillehammer, plus he probably is still a little bitter about the whole Olympic medal thing. Not going to change my opinion of Kurt, any more than the handful of other things he probably shouldn't have said over the years.)

[dbny]

Originally posted by Germanice
Yeah, and if figure skating is on it's way down, just blame it on the Russians! Sorry, but I'm just tired of all this evil-Russians-always-spoil-our-party-whining!

I didn't take it that way at all, but just that Americans would be more interested in seeing American champions. I do think Kurt is mistaken about that, either way.

Originally posted by Germanice
And what an arrogance toward Alexei Urmanov! His remarks were just ugly and disrespectful! Is there still some bitterness for not winning an Olympic medal after all these years? Come on, Kurt, it's for sure not Urmanov's fault!

Hmmm, I didn't think he was arrogant, ugly, disrespectful or even harsh. He really didn't say much here, but would have been better off saying nothing at all, IMO.

I'm glad he came out against the proposed secret judging scheme. The writer, OTOH, seems to have missed the point of accountability altogether.

[Arsenette]

Maybe his comment of Urmanov comes from the idea that an Olympic Champion is an embassador of the sport to continue past the Olympics and into the mainstream. Meaning that Urmanov went home and didn't do much else (outside of injury) whereas someone like Stojko (who DIDN'T win Gold) has actively marketed the sport in the mainstream and did countless interviews and shows to promote the sport. My guess.. I could be wrong.

[Oracle]

That photo looks more like Petr Barna to me than Kurt Browning. Am I nuts?
:?:

[Germanice]

Originally posted by dbny
Hmmm, I didn't think he was arrogant, ugly, disrespectful or even harsh. He really didn't say much here, but would have been better off saying nothing at all, IMO. "That guy from Lillehammer ..."

Sorry, but don't you think that was arrogant and disrespectful??? Wasn't Alexei Urmanov not even "worthy" enough for Kurt to be called by his name?

But I guess I better stop now - I'm already branded for being "anti-American" just for seeing things from the other side of the ocean. I really don't need another argument, knowing right from the beginning I'm in the minority ... ;)

Anke

[honey827]

I didn't find his comments offensive at all in fact they were right on the money.

[AnnM]

I agree that Kurt's comment "That guy from Lillehammer . . ." when taken in context with the rest of his statement, was pretty rude. I find it offensive because it was such a blanket put-down. To a casual reader it gives the impression that Urmanov "took the medal and ran". Perhaps Kurt forgot that Urmanov had a fairly serious groin injury that hampered his competitive ability? Or that Urmanov just wasn't well-received as a pro in the US? I really think Kurt could have found a more tactful way of making the same point, without implying that certain skaters are "bad examples".

[Artemis]

Originally posted by Germanice
"That guy from Lillehammer ..."

Sorry, but don't you think that was arrogant and disrespectful??? Wasn't Alexei Urmanov not even "worthy" enough for Kurt to be called by his name?

Journalists routinely cut what their subjects say in interviews. We have no idea what the full quote was from Kurt. He could have easily mentioned Urmanov by name earlier. And the fact that the report erroneously names Kulik makes it even more likely that something was take out of context here.

[Teenes]

I should probably post a longer response to this eventually but I have to say, I blank on people's names all the time. Or call them by the wrong name, quite accidentally. My best friend used to call me by her brother's name (grumble grumble, I'm not even a guy!). I have issues with the whole "guy from Lillehammer" thing but I tend to think that this was in the course of an extended conversation, Kurt was probably caught up in a long argument, momentarily blanked on Alexei's name, and that's what came out.

The other main thing I have to say is, Kurt's human. I doubt there's anyone out there who has never had a negative thought about someone else, or harbored some bitterness, or accidentally phrased or said something wrong. I'm disappointed because I think Kurt is good enough at PR to know better, but to think less of him overall because of this one interview is quite amusing, really. He's been in this business doing PR and giving interviews for how long? 15 years? I somehow don't think some negative comments said in frustration about the current state of skating obliviates his generally good reputation.

As for the validity of his comments - well, that's a whole other post I don't quite have time for right now =).

[Trillian]

Originally posted by Teenes
I should probably post a longer response to this eventually but I have to say, I blank on people's names all the time.

That was my other thought. Honestly, how often does Kurt even have occasion to think about Alexei these days? I wouldn't be surprised if he had to think for a second to come up with his name (which he very well might have done immediately afterward, since this quote was of course taken out of context). Anyway, I have one close friend who's so bad about forgetting names (we've known each other almost six years and he still blanks on mine from time to time) that I would believe anything along those lines.

[Rachel]

Originally posted by Arsenette
Maybe his comment of Urmanov comes from the idea that an Olympic Champion is an embassador of the sport to continue past the Olympics and into the mainstream. Meaning that Urmanov went home and didn't do much else (outside of injury) whereas someone like Stojko (who DIDN'T win Gold) has actively marketed the sport in the mainstream and did countless interviews and shows to promote the sport. My guess.. I could be wrong.

That would be every bit as unjust. As I recall, Urmanov was never given the opportunities that Elvis was to promote skating.

And you can also correct me if I am wrong, but I believe Urmanov HAS done things to promote skating in Russia. If Kurt has done a lot to promote skating in Russia, then I can see his point--he would then have earned the right to complain that the reverse wasn't true. But to complain that Urmanov hasn't done a lot of promote skating in the West is just a wee bit blind to the fact that skating is not confined to the Western Hemisphere.

[Lark]

Originally posted by AnnM
ITo a casual reader it gives the impression that Urmanov "took the medal and ran". Perhaps Kurt forgot that Urmanov had a fairly serious groin injury that hampered his competitive ability? Or that Urmanov just wasn't well-received as a pro in the US? It also does not help that Urmy was not asked to tour due to him not having a "rapport" with the audience, according to an interview with Sandra Bezic.
Plus, it seems that you had to be in the "Hamilton Clique" to get hired on SOI. How else can you explain Steven Cousins and Roz? IMO, they offered little to the tour but friendship to Scott.

[bleu]

Is it me or do you feel like Kurt is saying something. The fact that he mentioned a past skater who has been invisible in skating for a long time indicates he wants everyone to come together and save our sport. That is, if the ISU can't do it then past olympians should get together and be more proactive.

[LTM]

I'm sorry but I'm trying to remember what Urmanov did do after winning his gold medal.
Yeh I know he had a groin injury. Somebody else had one too and he still managed to win olympic silver.
Since then it's been a lot of gaudy costumes, capes and big hats.
Which all, IMHO, greatly detracted from very talented skating.

[Ximena]

I was really upset about his comments on Urmanov, especially since he called him "that guy" can't he remember the name of an olympic champ??
And well Urmanov is a coach in Russia and he is tryng to make ppl in Russia more interested in figure skating shows so to me he is a very good model as a Olympic champ

[skatingfan3]

Lark,

I disagreed that Roz and Steven Cousins offered little to the tour. Cousins has become the entertainer of the show (next to Scott and Kurt). Steven may be hired in the first place because of Scott, but after being on SOI for four years, he has become a valuable member of the show. And Roz offered professionalism and leadership to new members of the show over the years and she skates to all kinds of music -- except maybe rap.

Just my 2 cents.:)

Deborah

[Arsenette]

Originally posted by Ximena
I was really upset about his comments on Urmanov, especially since he called him "that guy" can't he remember the name of an olympic champ??

I remember distinctly last year during the GPF where both Elvis and Alexei Yagudin referred to skater's by the country by saying the "Chinese Guy" and the "American Guy".. I don't remember flack from that. The point being that in the West (which comprises of 3 ISU countries - Canada, USA & Mexico - if you work your way south) - Urmanov has become almost a trivia question "Who actually won the title in 1994 for the men?" In the west he is not known at all and some has been by choice! He chose to stay home and promote skating in his home country. There is nothing wrong with that but to say that he is an ambassador of the sport for all is not right either. The same thing cannot be said about Elvis (since that is what we are talking about in that statement) being isolated to the West. He has gone around the World and preached figure skating all the way to Japan!! They KNOW who he is and is not a trivia question. And he wasn't the one that won! The concept is sound when it comes to what Kurt is trying to say so I don't take offence. Quite frankly - the fact that the reporter didn't even know WHO WON the Olympics in Lillehammer speaks more than what is suggested by Kurt's comment.

[Arsenette]

Originally posted by skatingfan3
Lark,

I disagreed that Roz and Steven Cousins offered little to the tour. Cousins has become the entertainer of the show (next to Scott and Kurt). Steven may be hired in the first place because of Scott, but after being on SOI for four years, he has become a valuable member of the show. And Roz offered professionalism and leadership to new members of the show over the years and she skates to all kinds of music -- except maybe rap.

Just my 2 cents.:)

Deborah

Roz has been the sport as long if not even longer than Scott!! She has been a world champion, national champion and dang nearly won the Olympics. I think she has more credentials than even some that are in SOI (Gorsha and Sur come to mind immediately). Steven is a SEVERAL time champion in another country and has been an Olympic competitor whereas many British skaters could not get to. Keeping SOI with variety (and not just "western skaters") is what makes SOI appealing.

[icenut84]

Kurt's comments:

"I thought at first it might work, the idea of a system you weren't supposed to be able to cheat at, but now I don't know what to think. And right now, there's so many Russians winning that North Americans seem to be saying, OK, well, we'll go watch something else. Even Alexei [Yagudin] says, 'What can you do when you're in a different country trying to sell yourself to people who don't speak your language?' And he's been a good role model, a good Olympic champion, unlike the guy from Lillehammer [Russia's Ilia Kulik]. What did he do for our sport? He's been invisible."

They're talking about this on FSU too. IMO, Kurt's comments are just plain uncalled-for and rude. He's not even on the mark, considering what people have said about what Alexei Urmanov does in Russia. He's a happily married man, father of twin boys and a coach. Apparently he's done a lot of work to raise the profile of skating in Russia, encourage kids etc. Why on earth should he have to do anything different if that's what makes him happy and helps the situation in his homeland? Just because he won the Olympics? It's a competition, not a contract. Just because he's not been a headliner in North America, Kurt assumes he's done nothing for the sport and isn't a good role model/Olympic champion? I love Kurt's skating but he should really get his facts straight. And not pick on someone who doesn't deserve it.

[WeBeEducated]

I know firsthand that journalists often get many of the details wrong in an article. A skater who is interviewed about her trip to Junior Nationals(juvenile and intermediate skaters) will get a headline like"Junior Champion of the USA skates for gold".
But I do think Kurt probably really did say"that guy" instead of mentioning Urmanovs name. I dont think for a minute he forgot the name of an Olympic gold medalist that he competed with for many competitions.
It was an obvious form of disrespect.
I love Kurt's skating, but recently I have noticed him acting different even on the ice in shows.
He keeps doing some kind of extremely youthful facial expressions and lifting both shoulders up high and opening his eyes real wide and I did think, whoa, whats up with the baby act! I see it as a bit of insecurity...afterall time marches on and he must be feeling his age, and hoping he can still look as whimsical as a 20 year old...or somethig.
all i know is whatever it is, i dont like it
and his comments seem to have the same foundation of insecurity

[Lise]

actually I disagree with mosy here and agree with Kurt. Urmanov has been out of the spotlight since 94, I do remember vagely him withdrawing from Worlds in 95?

I don't think Kurt was being rude-but more realistic.

[SKfan]

Originally posted by Lise
actually I disagree with mosy here and agree with Kurt. Urmanov has been out of the spotlight since 94, I do remember vagely him withdrawing from Worlds in 95?

I don't think Kurt was being rude-but more realistic.

Urmanov out of spotlight since 1994??? He won silver at Europeans 1995, gold at Champion Series Final (GPF) 1996, gold at Europeans 1997. At Worlds 1997 he was leading after the short program but had to withdraw because of the groin injury, and was not able to defend his Olympic gold next season. After that season he came back to eligible skating and turned pro in 1999 and won World Pro the same year. In all these events his skating has been shown on broadcasts in NA.

[arena_gal]

There's lots of strong opinions in this thread and I'm not about to change any of them however think about what's at the core of what Kurt is saying. --- Something is wrong with skating --- There's no disagreeing with that.

There are lots and lots of talented skaters out there, and putting your criticism of certain skaters aside, why is it that SOI is the same old faces with maybe one or two new performers every year? ISU has control over eligible skaters, skaters are staying eligible, and the ones that turn "pro" and have "interesting personalities" (to quote Kurt) are not staying in skating very long, due to injury, (Tara Lipinski) or personal crises. (Oksana Baiul, Christopher Bowman) .

Ask a casual skating fan who they would like to see in a skating show, and I'd bet coffee that they would mention a name of a skater whose world or Olympic glory was 8 to 10 years ago. (excepting Michelle Kwan, but she fits that too). Why has skating gotten stuck in 1994?

(declaration of personal bias: I'd pay to see anything if it had Kurt Browning in it)

[sk8lvr]

Well count me in as one who thinks that Kurt was extremely rude about Urmanov. It comes off as sour grapes to me. Why on earth would he talk about Urmanov when he wasn't even offered a place on tour? What did he expect him to do, stay here in America or go back to Russia and promote skating? And why should Kurt be the judge of anyone's actions?

[jcspkbfan]

Whatever else SOI may be this year, it's definitely not the "same old faces!" The only SOI veterans on this year's tour are Kurt, M&S, Katarina, R&S (who only rejoined the tour after Tara and Steven had to withdraw), and "special guest stars" Scott and Katia (who only skated in a few cities each and, again, probably wouldn't have rejoined the tour if Tara and Steven weren't injured). All of the other tour members are "new kids on the block" and I daresay Todd, Yagudin, and B&S are working just as hard to help promote the tour as S&P. :) BTW, I found it interesting Kurt remarked how well tickets for the Canadian tour are selling, but didn't comment on US ticket sales. Hmm...

That unfortunate Urmanov quote aside, I agree Kurt was mainly referring to the average Canadian (and I guess American, too) "Tim Horton's six-pack" skating fan who follows the sport to check out how the home team is doing. And sadly, I can't remember a time when the Canadian skating "home team" had so few prospects for world medals.

Unless Emanuel Sandhu finally manages to put everything together at Worlds or Jeff Buttle gets his quad and 3-axel a lot more consistent (both of which I'd love to see, of course!), there won't be a Canadian man who can accomplish the same success as Elvis, Kurt or Brian Orser. None of our Canadian pairs will be ready to pick up where S&P left off until they land those #$%& SBS jumps consistently and who knows what the future of Canadian ice dance will be after B&K turn pro. At least our women have improved tremendously in the past few years, but I admit it'll take awhile before any of them can contend for a world medal as well. :cry: And the situation is pretty much the same south of the border, with the glaring exception of the US ladies team. And if fewer North American skaters are in contention for medals, naturally there will be fewer North American skaters turning pro in the future (assuming there'll still be a pro skating circuit of some sort in the future!) Even though I know a lot of non-North American skaters are very popular here (just look at the crowd reaction Alexei Yagudin usually gets, for example!), a lot of fans still like to root for their own countrymen and if they don't see their own countrymen near the top of the podium, naturally the popularity of the sport will decrease. The pairs judging scandal and the confusing new judging system didn't help matters, either.

North American and Russian skaters also seem to be saying more and more unflattering quotes about each other in the media lately (I've read quotes from Russian interviews about certain American skaters which, IMO, lacked as much tact as Kurt's quote about Urmanov), which I think is really sad.

No wonder skaters such as A&P, Philippe, and Urmanov are staying closer to home to earn their living...but many North American fans (and skaters) likely wouldn't know a thing about what they were doing unless they read foreign media on the Internet on a regular basis. Since Kurt has said himself he doesn't use the Internet all that much except for e-mail, it doesn't surprise me that he wouldn't know much about all the things Urmanov has done since he last skated in North America (more than two years ago now, if I remember correctly). If Kurt knew Urmanov has done just as much for pro skating in Europe as Kurt, Scott, both Brians and many others have done for pro skating in North America, I'm willing to bet Kurt's opinion about Urmanov being a good role model would be much different! :)

As for the "guy from Lillehammer" statement, since the earlier part of the quote was about Alexei Yagudin, I interpreted that as Kurt's way of differenciating between the two skaters. If Kurt had referred to Urmanov simply as "Alexei", most readers would have assumed Kurt was still talking about Yagudin.

BTW, here's what Kurt thought of the new judging system back in October:

http://www.kurtfiles.com/articles/article.php?id=420&cat=KURT

Back then, he was one of the few skaters who actually had anything positive to say about the new system--sadly, I'm not surprised to see how much his opinion has changed since then! :cry:

[sk8lvr]

Since Kurt has said himself he doesn't use the Internet all that much except for e-mail, it doesn't surprise me that he wouldn't know much about all the things Urmanov has done since he last skated in North America (more than two years ago now, if I remember correctly). If Kurt knew Urmanov has done just as much for pro skating in Europe as Kurt, Scott, both Brians and many others have done for pro skating in North America, I'm willing to bet Kurt's opinion about Urmanov being a good role model would be much different!


Well I would think that if I don't stay current on things going on outside of North America, then I would just keep my mouth shut about specific skaters. I know that no one is perfect and we all say rude things at one time or another, but don't say them in an interview for goodness sakes!

[TRAxel]

Originally posted by Trillian
To be fair, I don't think the comments were meant to directly insult Urmanov's character or skating. Browning basically said, has he been a role model for other skaters coming up? No. That doesn't mean he's saying he's been a bad role model, he's saying he just hasn't done a lot for other skaters to look up to. Which maybe something a lot of us disagree with, but I don't think it was quite on the level of saying something like "Urmanov sucks." Still probably not a remark that's going to win him any fans, though.

(Personally, I'll take it at face value and figure Kurt really doesn't think Urmanov has done anything notable since Lillehammer, plus he probably is still a little bitter about the whole Olympic medal thing. Not going to change my opinion of Kurt, any more than the handful of other things he probably shouldn't have said over the years.)

I totally agree with you Trillian, you said everything that I wanted to say.

[Alexeiskate]

I doubt that Urmanov was getting the professional offers that were offered to Kulik and now Yags. SOI certaintly didn't want him. So if Urmanov has been "invisible" then it wasn't really his fault. And why is Yag considered a "good role model, a good Olympic Champion" because he is out there promoting the tour and himself? That's a part of Yag's job description, not necessarily because he sees himself as some goodwill ambassardor (sp?) for the sport. I'm sure Urmanov would be doing all kind of press junkets if those opportunities were available to him.

[WeBeEducated]

None of the skaters are out doing shows for the "good of the sport" but rather for the big bucks and perpetuation of their career.
If Kurt is insinuating that he and other North American skaters have done anything other than entertain us for a few hours once a year with the tour rolls into town he is being arrogant and self rightous.
Urmanov will always be remembered as an elegant skater that won the Olympic gold medal, in the same competition that Kurt was doing single axels in his short program.
sounds like insecurity to me
I go to a show to see skating talent...I dont care from which country they hail. Many of my favorites over the years were Russian anyway.
Kurts opinion is simply that, his opinion, but it was expressed with a narrow perspective on the WORLD of skating.

[proam]

First, I’m a Kurt fan –big time.
Second, I disagree and am disappointed in Kurt’s quote about Alexei Urmanov.
Urmanov is one of my favorite skaters and IMO he is a great role model. Alexei stick with his vision of skating and doesn’t change that vision to pander to North American audience. Also, from what I have read he does admiral work in Russia when it concerns skating.

Now to reply to WeBeEducated:
Originally posted by WeBeEducated

Urmanov will always be remembered as an elegant skater that won the Olympic gold medal, in the same competition that Kurt was doing single axels in his short program.
sounds like insecurity to me


Unless your definition of “insecurity” is different than mind, I disagree with this comment.
Or you possibly don’t know Kurt’s history.
Kurt has not been out of the public eye since 1988. So calling skater insecure with all those International title, awards, having his own TV shows since 1992 and continuing even today for Canada and U.S., his vast popularity in both countries, oh, I could go on and on, doesn’t seem to fit my definition of insecurity.
Another prospective, Kurt’s career has not be hurt by not having that Olympic Gold, you might say he didn’t need the Gold.

BTW, I don’t have a problem with Kurt taking hits for those quotes; I’m one fan that does not put skaters on a pedestal or give them a God like persona.

[trixie]

Top Ten Things Kurt Wishes He Had Never Said

( just kidding , Adrian )


Kurt's human ?...Not Skate God for Life ?

That news flash ought to get a few minutes on PTI

[Excidra]

Let me just make it clear that Kurt does not in any way or shape speak for the Canadian skating fans(and that includes me). What happened to that sportsmanship you possessed, Kurt. I love this guy and i'm a huge fan of his, but I will not support him while he takes cheap jabs at the Russian skaters.
No wonder the Russians believe the entire skating world is against them, I wouldn't blame them. Kurt bluntly accuses the Russians of being held up in competition because they are Russians.

Kurt wonders why the Russian have been winning, could it be that maybe their skating took them to the top. I certinaly can't see any American pairs/dance/men that can challenge the Russians. The only pair that can challenge the Russians are the Chinese and they should be leaving after this season.

Let me just say that if a Russian skater said exactly what Kurt said in that article, most people here who are defending Kurt would not be defending that Russian skater.

P.S. Just because Urmanov is not doing SOI or acting like a role model to young north-American figure skaters.Who probably know nothing about him or where he is from, does not mean that he is not a great Olympic champion. What ever Kurt "believes" Urmanov should be doing, he is doing it in Russia and I think Kurt is just bitter about that. Kurt proves my point that most North-Americians believe the world should revolve around them.

[ceceB]

To me, Kurt's comments didn't seem offensive. I mean, I can see why one might take it that way, but it all depends on your perspective when reading it. The only way to know exactly what Kurt meant would be to get in his head.

It seems unlikely to me that 9 years later, Kurt would be so resentful that he would knowingly bad mouth Urmanov. Even if he was thinking it, someone who's been in the spotlight so long has common sense about things appropriate to say. Kurt's always been so classy. Give him the benifit of the doubt.

Also, something seemed off about the whole article. The writer even put the wrong date for the Vancouver show. (i only noticed because I'm going.:D )

[Skatingsarah]

This is the best thing about Canadians they say what everyone else is think. Now dont get me wrong I think that Alexei is a good skater and stuff but he does have some ground. He did kinda of dissipear into no where. I guess, well I know that if that was Kurt browning we would have handled the olympic gold in a different way. I think that he has a right to opinion and he does have some grounding for it also

IMO

[LVKurt2]

I can see how Kurt's comment on Alexei Urmanov could be taken as negative and it most likely should have never been said because it insinuates that only people who promote the sport in North America are really helping the sport which is not necessarily true. If you can connect with the North American audience you're more than likely going to bring more money into the sport because there is so much of it to be found in the US and Canada as evidenced by the number of skaters that come to these countries to train however it does not mean that if you're not a household name with North Americans that you can't in some way help promote or further the sport. I'm sure that Alexei is giving back to the sport in some way such as coaching. I'd hate to see this one comment which was probably said out of pure frustration for the current state of figure skating ruin people's overall opinion of Kurt. He is human and probably says things he regrets from time to time. Haven't you? I know I have. Please all I ask is that if you're going to judge Kurt as a person then please make sure you've actually had the chance to meet him and spend some time talking to him. You'll see that he is really a great guy who in this case just made a mistake. Just my 2 cents! Thanks for allowing me to share an opinion.

[jcspkbfan]

For what it's worth, Cam Cole issued an apology of sorts in his National Post column last weekend about the Urmanov/Kulik mistake he made in the original article--after receiving about 100 e-mails from angry skating fans! :)

Here's the link (scroll down a bit to read the part about figure skating):

http://www.nationalpost.com/commentary/story.html?id=5C7CC4CC-9B64-4937-B879-8866DFC2DF27