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© Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Is figure skating becoming acrobatics on ice?
By BARRY WILNER NEW YORK©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
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browny1
I like watching figure skating but don't know much about it.
But over the last 2 decades, even to a very lay person like me, the changes are obvious.
Seems to be more about the "tricks" - albeit incredibly difficult acrobatic stuff - that wow the crowds.
In order to achieve such the skaters both men & womens body shapes / proportions appear to have also changed considerably.
The women champions are almost always young teenagers with athletic but extremely light. slim bodies. And the men generally follow suit. Hanyu has the body of a light dancer.
I assume in order to achieve things like quads you must be thin, light and flexible. The skaters of old would just be too big to achieve these point scorers.
ANd a rarely discussed in the media, are the apparently widespread problems of bulimia, starvation, self-image, and serious injuries esp to young bodies.
As long as audiences (and judges) demand more and more this process will never cease.
It's why I prefer the ice dance events which bring a spectacle of strength, precision and artistry to the fore - in tandem.
simon g
Figure Skating has never been a sport but it is entertaining. Ballet or hip hop aren't classed as sports although they are also physical performances. Give the customers and sponsors what they want.
kohakuebisu
Not just figure skating. Snowboarding, mountain biking, skateboarding, bmx, all seem to be about how many times you can spin your body.
Mr Kipling
Anything on ice hasn’t been worth watching since a slightly chubby shop checkout girl and a somewhat camp policeman from the UK took on the world in ice dance and won to sound of Bolero!
ArtistAtLarge
Short answer: Yes and as kohakuebisu points out, so have many other sports.
It has become ridiculous.