Dots And Stripes

The hockey player tweeted her back and seemed happy about it when asked. A lot of the athletes have had fun with the celeb shout outs.

I'm amazed Jessie Diggins is skipping. She had the last medal event of the Olympics.

I think it helps their world ranking in the event. The NBC commentators were guessing that one of the skaters who was going after sprint points in the final knew she wasn't going to win so she was trying to help her placement in her event, and thus help her ranking.

I completely agree about the expense. I wonder how many skaters Russia funds, but it does seem like the high costs are a big determent in the United States. It's something that affects the US across the Olympics. U.S. skaters need consistency before they can learn to back load. I'e noticed most mistakes happen with the first jumping pass (usually a difficult one they want to get out o the way) or at the end (when they're tired). I think it really is more difficult and that's why the bonus exists. We don't back load like that because we can't. Lysaceck was gaming the system way back in 2010. It's not a new idea.

For context, Katelyn Osmond was 13th at the Olympics 4 years ago. It’s possible Karen or Bradie could continue to move up in international competitions.

One of the skating shows said that Alina's coach said she was oblivious to the pressure and just happy to see a McDonald's. I feel like Medvedeva has a lot more context to what this all means than Alina does.

Tara said Medvedeva won the free skate portion, but the scores I'm seeing say they tied the free skate.

The pressure Medvedeva is under is almost incomprehensible. I like Medvedeva's grace and I like Zagitova's brattiness.

For podium or to top the Russians?

Osmond has improved so much since the last Olympics.

Between the ridiculous costume and the back to back to back jumps, I liked Zagitova. It was fun.

I didn't get that at all. I thought she was just trying to put it in perspective. It was one lost element, on to the next thing. She didn't seem that upset to me, more like she was trying to stay even keeled and not let it throw her.

I wouldn't use US gymnastics as a model for anything. The need to win there has led to a deeply unhealthy culture. And I mean, they do fall but they usually have enough start value and depth to make up for it.

Unless one of the top group implodes, the U.S. ladies will finish 9, 10, and 11.

With two other past champions on the team. We've also seen many times in the past where the national champion is not the top finisher at the Olympics. Also, from the scores, Bradie did not get a fall deduction. She definitely could have gotten better, but I disagree with the disaster talk. She did fine.

Heartbreaking for Daleman. It got away from her.

Bradie missed a lot of time a year or two back because of injury. She had two troubled landings but she didn't fall apart. If there were another US "star" on the ladies side to take the spotlight, her finish would be more in line with expectations for the second or third lady on the team. I think people are way to hard on her for her imperfections.

Liam said the rest of the skating would be on NBC. NBC has also been promoting the Russians pretty hard.

Yes, Liam said NBC would have the rest of the skating.

She won the team event, not the individual one.

I decided to see if I could find anything about the reaction to a German skater using this music. I found this quote: The comparison to Lipnitskaia should not be her biggest concern. I also found Lipnitskaia's use of the music to be a poor choice. She admitted she wasn't good at portraying emotion in her skating, so evoking a tragedy to supplement that was distasteful.

I had forgotten how much fun the team pursuit is to watch. I like watching them change formations. It was smart strategy. It also had the bonus effect of getting a medal for another skater, who apparently had been doing the team pursuit since the last Olympics. The U.S.'s biggest stars haven't done the team pursuit since Sochi (not saying they should have). It's nice that one of the skaters who helped the team qualify for this event was able to share in the glory and earn herself a medal. I'm also just really happy that U.S. long track gets a medal. I'm sure it will be a great morale boost.

Woah! Final Russian below the Americans who finish 9, 10, and 11.

I know I'm supposed to hate her, but I really enjoyed Medvedeva.

But are there any bird gloves?