Interesting article about Asian and Russian skaters

I didn't really want to make a whole new topic just for this article, but I didn't really know where else to put it. The moderators are welcome to move this post.

I came across this article. Morozov has some interesting, and bold things to say in it. For one, he says American and Europeans want to "talk to the plants"... Ok...

The article also says "Russia has "three unbelievable young girls" now in their early teens who are too young to be eligible to compete in the Olympics. They can land several triple-triple combinations in a programme, he said, adding that Russia's figure skating federation was "working 24 hours a day" to cultivate young talent ahead of the 2014 winter Olympics in Sochi. "If you send them to the Olympics, they'll beat Mao, Yu-Na and Miki," Morozov said, without naming the Russians."

This is a very VERY bold statement. Especially that last sentence (and saying specifically that they will beat his own skater!)! But if they can really land several triple triple combos in one program, and they're really as good as he's making them out to be, then WOW ..

Here's the link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100116/sp_wl_afp/oly2010fskatejpnrusasiamorozov

That is an extremely bold statement, especially since you can't really tell how much puberty/growing up will affect skaters, girls more than anyone else. There are many skaters who were very promising juniors but never really made it as seniors. There's a good chance that they will be very good skaters, but nobody can tell if they will still land numerous 3-3 once they reach their mid- to late teens.

I wish them (whoever they are though I have an idea) all the best though!! We could use a little more challenge from the European ladies in the future. I'm sure Mao would love to keep being pushed to new heights during the next Olympic cycle. I think that's what she is about.

So you think, Mao will not retire after this? I really hope so!

To the article: I really agree with you! Especially female skaters have problems when they grow, they have to learn all again or kind of! While reading i started to believe he want to have the russian domination back only because he is a russian!
And i think, he should be a little more polite, he shouldnt talk about how awesome russian junios are, only because he know everything in russia! There are lots of other juniors from other countries too that are great! Best example is Kanako Murakami in my opinion! It seems in Japan is in every generation at least one great talent!

Haidogirl wrote:

So you think, Mao will not retire after this? I really hope so!

Mao has talked about how she plans to keep competing after the olympics

To be honest I'm quite suprised because Kolya always praised japanese skaters not russian, finally I see some patriotism from him Lisa is just an outstanding skater, her technique is better then Kanako's and many others. She's so mature for her edge, her Jackson exhibition is to die for

Star85 wrote:

Haidogirl wrote:

So you think, Mao will not retire after this? I really hope so!

Mao has talked about how she plans to keep competing after the olympics

Like after Nationals, how she said she wanted to be the ten-time champion !