Sochi Olympics 2014!

http://en.rsport.ru/olympics/20140131/719178223.html

Good luck to all Olympians in Sochi!   

In honor of Mao Sochi's competition, a look at all of her accomplishments:


http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/profile/mao_asada

Everything about the Sochi Olympics!

Good luck Mao & Team Japan

I just found there were two threads on Sochi Olympics, so I merged them.  

Mao and Kumiko-sensei at Narita Airport.

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2014/02/05/kiji/K20140205007522760.html
This news article says Kumiko-sensei cannot attend Mao in Sochi because she doesn't have ID card for the venue. (Two attendants are allowed for an athlete. In the case of Mao, they're Mr. Sato and her trainer.)  But Kumiko is willing to go Armeia and help her there if necessary.  

http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/sports/2014sochi/231653/



Mao says:
I've done whatever I can do.  I want to maintain good condition and good image after arriving in Sochi too.  It's better to have one 3A in FS instead of two, because the program is well balanced with one 3A.  I've achieved nailing three 3A in Vancouver.  So, I want to nail all of those different triples this time. I feel good with my 3-3 jumps recently too.

   

What?! Kumiko sensei is not there with Mao? Who's gonna be her mama figure there? Oh, wait... there's TAT!

http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/winter/news/20140205-OHT1T00124.htm

This news article says Kumiko-sensei will not be in Sochi nor Armenia.
Kumiko says "I'm not going to Sochi nor Armeia.  Shanetta took care of the FS choreography so I think Mao will feel strong by having her at the rink side."
Ms. Folle says "I'm coaching a French male skater now so I'm planning to go to Armenia for two days and will be at the rink side for Mao" (during practice and the game along with Mr. Sato).

It's too bad that Kumiko-sensei will not be there but it's extremely good to have Shanetta-sensei there  

Yes TAT will be there too for sure.  

Thank you, linglang! Shanetta-sensei will do. I just want Mao to have some support system there aside from coach Sato. When is Dai arriving in Sochi?

Hey! I'm super excited, just one more day for Sochi Olympics to start!   And even more excited after hearing that Mao is going back to her old layout   

I'm very busy these days but (obviously) I'll try to watch all figure skating competitions and come to the forum to read you posts and share my opinions with you.

Go Mao!!!!! Just be yourself and enjoy your second Olympic experience!  

Finally the ISU result page for Sochi is up and here is the starting order for the men tomorrow!
http://www.isuresults.com/results/owg2014/SEG009.HTM

In our Maofan-Facebookgroup we had the idea of doing a Google Hangout with all Mao fans while the competitions are going on where we all can canalize our strong emotions! It's a lot easier and less stressful than refreshing these forum pages every 5 secs (which we all did at least once I think!   )
All you need is a Google+ profil to join us! I/We will post a link then I think.
I'd love if some of you who aren't on Facebook (the first members that come to my mind are zarinaballerina and linglang...?!) would join us, so that we can cheer and cry for Mao and Team Japan together and save each other from heart attacks (in my case that's definitly needed!!!   )   

OMG, it's finally here. I can't wait to see Mao on olympic ice again...!   

I'll probably join for events taking place at a reasonable time in my timezone.

   for the updates josling.

I am glad she decided a layout, I was nervous because she was not decided yet   . Saturday will be a great day, I can´t wait   .

Thanks for the updates everyone!

I'm so glad Mao is sticking with one 3A in the free- it was challenging enough, and she's right, this is a new goal for her that she will accomplish. It also makes her program balanced as she said!

Although I'm a little sad that Kumiko won't be there in person, her spirit will be with Mao and she'll be sending positive vibes over to Sochi just like the rest of us!

I can't believe it's already been another 4 year cycle...we laughed and we cried with Mao. Now it's time for her to show everyone who really dominates on ice   

Thank you josling for the information on Google+.  That sounds fun! I will try to join you guys as long as I can juggle my sleep and work.  The broadcasting time will be very early mornings in Japan.     

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It's like a mother seeing off her daughter.

http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/winter/news/20140205-OHT1T00196.htm

According to this news article, at the beginning of this year Mao told Mr. Sato about her goal saying "I was able to attain my goal to land three 3A in Vancouver.  So, my goal this time is to include all the different triple jumps in a program, which I couldn't do last time."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXTczfQwEXA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jKcthiMJ8I
Mao arrived in Sochi
In the first clip she says: I'm very much excited as good as I was at Vancouver. I want to execute what I've been reworking from scratch after Vancouver. Olympic games which take place every four years are so special.  I want to perform and deliver what I can do to the full extent and finish with smiles.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/stream/m_news/vn140206_2.htm
According to some reports, there were about 100 reporters waiting for her at the airport and a half of them were from the Korean media.  Some of them started pushing and shoving for good camera positions.  You can hear a guy yells in the middle of the interview.   (Those microphone are not of Japanese media outlets.) I remember they wrote her off a few weeks ago saying she was no longer a rival of their Queen. I would rather want them to keep her off from their list of favorites and leave her alone than harassing her like this.   

Thanks to linglang and everyone for the update & info!

To add another piece of info, I was watching NHK (international) morning news, it was mentioned that, the JSF/olympic FS supervisor says for the Team Event, if competitors will have good performances for SP, the JSF may also consider to incorporate those competitors for the FS.

Those Korean media are   

COHK wrote:

Thanks to linglang and everyone for the update & info!

To add another piece of info, I was watching NHK (international) morning news, it was mentioned that, the JSF/olympic FS supervisor says for the Team Event, if competitors will have good performances for SP, the JSF may also consider to incorporate those competitors for the FS.

Those Korean media are   

mmm ... Is that because JSF think that the team event could be good run-through opportunities for their athletes who have a high probability of winning a medal at individual event?  I think they are aware that there is a slim chance for Japan to win a medal at team event.  They cannot win only by single men and ladies.   

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BfuzxtEIYAEEb67.jpg:large?.jpg
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bfw4_J1IQAISbwa.jpg:large?.jpg
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bfu3KOAIQAAjzJU.jpg:large?.jpg
Team USA

http://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1798423_401985656603299_1719829282_n.jpg
Osmond with Kwan and Lysacek

http://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t1/149343_10152133473612039_811179639_n.jpg
Slutskaya

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm1WZeHnZZs#t=40
Orser, Kevin & Plushenko

I never knew just how beautiful Mao's spirals are:

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bfu3KOAIQAAjzJU.jpg:large?.jpg

The USA's Sochi's uniform is horendous. Oh my eyes!   

p.s.    linglang for all of the pictures and updates on Mao.

taken from 日刊スポーツ twitter:

Mao walking toward her 1st practice:
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BfxJqKmCYAANUls.jpg

Mao-only Sochi rink   
http://stat.ameba.jp/user_images/20140206/15/mao-mai-yuji/bd/7e/j/o0600040012837200407.jpg

COHK wrote:

taken from 日刊スポーツ twitter:

Mao walking toward her 1st practice:
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BfxJqKmCYAANUls.jpg

Mao-only Sochi rink   
http://stat.ameba.jp/user_images/20140206/15/mao-mai-yuji/bd/7e/j/o0600040012837200407.jpg

COHK...the 2nd link says referral denied. Can you post another link of Mao at the rink? Thanks in advance.

According to Asahi Newspaper twitter (@asahi_olympics), Mao started her practice at the main rink, did 2A several times and nailed 3A in her first attempt. When she attempted a second 3A, she titled and fell.