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Yevgeny Plushenko, revered and divisive, ends 'legendary' career
NBC Sports ^ | February 13, 2014 | Nicholas McCarvel

Posted on 02/14/2014 8:55:32 AM PST by C19fan

Without skating a single moment Thursday night at the Iceberg Skating Palace, Yevgeny Plushenko was once again the talk of Sochi. Actually, the talk of the Olympic sporting world.

The 31-year-old Russian made a dramatic exit from the sport in the men’s short program – skating to the boards and taking his name out of contention with referee Mona Jonsson – effectively ending a 16-year career that some call the greatest of all time.

(Excerpt) Read more at nbcolympics.com ...


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: olympics; plushenko; russia; skating
The guy gave up his body for the sport. Really great to see his swan song in the team skating competition.
1 posted on 02/14/2014 8:55:32 AM PST by C19fan
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To: C19fan
Highly overrated (and overscored) skater. He's famous for mediocre (and in many cases, nonexistent) footwork while flailing his arms about like he's in a Tae Kwon Do class. But he could jump. I've never understood how this guy won so many competitions vs. competitors who could actually skate.
2 posted on 02/14/2014 9:32:52 AM PST by Mase (Save me from the people who would save me from myself!)
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To: C19fan

I am surprised he can stand up relatively straight.. and the thought of how it must feel when he jumps and then lands.. OUCH!!

He gave it a go.. a true champion.


3 posted on 02/14/2014 10:01:31 AM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi)
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To: NormsRevenge

Tara Lipinski was saying that if Plushenko had been well enough to skate he could have won the gold because none of the other contenders skated a clean program. I watched most of it live this morning and it was just so bad. Everyone felt they needed a quad and many of them that tried just fell on their bottoms. Big disappointment.


4 posted on 02/14/2014 12:30:45 PM PST by heylady (“Sometimes I wish I could be a Democrat and then I remember I have a soul.”( Deb))
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To: heylady

Was he in much pain. I mean was he out there warming up, and realized he wasn’t right? Any body watch?

I treat back pain. I can tell you sometimes following a sporting event or day of doing physical work unless you are very careful with your posture, you’re back can go out. When I heard that he had an artificial disc, I thought, “Oh, no...no way I would have that done.” I think he was a great a champion in spite of the disc surgery which was an added handicap.


5 posted on 02/14/2014 12:44:32 PM PST by nikos1121
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To: heylady

My initial impression is.. All the skaters Need to eat more.

I felt like I was watching a judo match. CHoreographed? By who, Bruce Lee?

I prefer events like Team Igloo making and 500 meter ski jumping.

But Hey, that’s just me.


6 posted on 02/14/2014 1:37:12 PM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi)
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To: NormsRevenge

It’s harder to do all those jumps (especially a quad) with a lot of weight on you. That’s why they are so thin. They do seem to be getting a lot thinner than say, when Brian Boitano skated. The guys then at least had leg muscles...I think the emphasis on the quad has changed a lot for the sport and not necessarily in the best way. The injuries, etc. Just my opinion.


7 posted on 02/14/2014 2:50:51 PM PST by midnightcat
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To: C19fan

I really liked him for having the courage to withdraw. Obviously he was in great pain and wasn’t up to his usual high standards. Yevgeny Plushenko is a nice guy and a class act. He is what every sportsman should be!

At 31, giving up his figure skating career was tough but it was the right thing to do. One felt badly for him knowing he gave up another gold medal. We saw what he did in the team event and he was magnificent!

Sadly, he will be missed.


8 posted on 02/14/2014 3:14:39 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: midnightcat

I hear ya,, I was and remain a big boned guy.. crashing the bones goes with the job in a hocke rink..

never seen a guy nail a board like that tho.. hope he has Aflac


9 posted on 02/14/2014 3:54:18 PM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi)
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To: goldstategop

I seriesly doubt his surgeons would approve.. not with a rod in your back


10 posted on 02/14/2014 3:55:07 PM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi)
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To: Mase

>>Highly overrated (and overscored) skater. He’s famous for mediocre (and in many cases, nonexistent) footwork while flailing his arms about like he’s in a Tae Kwon Do class. But he could jump. I’ve never understood how this guy won so many competitions vs. competitors who could actually skate.<<

And a drama queen too.


11 posted on 02/14/2014 5:15:02 PM PST by cunning_fish
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