@DrFlippin I agree, Dick would have done it, and landing with a nice, out-flow position. No offense to Elvis Stojko. Different skaters (radically), different times. Dick had to do school figures. Elvis would not have stayed in the rink for them. But again, different times.
I've always liked Dick Button.He is deaf in one ear now,ever since that fall on the ice a few years ago.See if any other American man can win a second gold in F S?The judges in 1994 were never going to let Brian win again but then didn't skate his best.:(Its amazing that his and Slavka's two children didn't skate.They're involved in the theater world.
@KellyRuleszzzz You must be a complete idiot to compare programs from Vancouver to a program from 62 years ago. And as bad as his jumps look to you, since you probably have never seen a jump that took off from a figures based curved edges, he introduced the Double Axel to Olympic competition during this event.
@KellyRuleszzzz let me put this in words you understand. you know those jumps you see in todays competitions? DICK BUTTON CREATED THOSE JUMPS. AND HE PERFECTED THE TECHNIQUES FOR MANY OF THOSE JUMPS. did you know that people used to jump with uncrossed legs? he introduced the crossed legged technique for jumps.
@SdSwedeBurrito well watever he perfected looks totally unproffesional and ugly. Im happy the skaters today changed their jump style. Cuz Dick's jump style looks awful
They also have equipment today that would have been unheard of in Dick Button's day. If the skaters of today had to do their routines with the kind of skates and other equipment that Dick Button had, they would not even begin to be able to do what they do now. Just appreciate what he did in the light of the time when he performed these amazing performances.
he's not gay, this was before mens skating went all gay!! though his name sounds a little funny! are male skaters being assaulted these days because of their gayness? haven't heard of any. don't go thinking I'm a gay basher or homophobe, I'm NOT!! as a matter of fact , my boyfriend is gay!!!!
@schnisha95 Honey, as an former competitive figure skater let me tell you there are more queens in skating than in all the Royal Houses of Europe! The straight male skater is the oddity! Gay and proud!!!!
To the other commenter. Yea, I hear ya. I wish some these so called guys would come out wearing a tie and jacket for a little retro skating like Dick Button. Watching these skaters compared to his FLAWLESS performance doesn't even compare. It seems THEY ALL miss or stumble these days and makes it hard to watch.
So called guys? What's that supposed to mean? Dick Button did single, double and the rare triple jump and he had his share of stumbles.
Today's athletes do quadruple-triple combinations. There's a reason why they stumble at timesthey're attempting extremely challenging jumps. If any competitor today did one of Dick Button's routines, they wouldn't have a chance at a medal.
Dick was great and moved our sport on considerably. But, this was not a flawless performance, there is a botched jump sit spin at 0:20 where Dick touches down and loses rotation, plus the final jump camel spins only have about 2 revolutions on each foot , that would be unacceptable today. ALL skaters fall at some point, Dick Button and his generation included. Today's skaters perform vastly more difficult and dangerous routines.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
this is much better than the fruits skating around now. i can't even watch the Olympics on nights that figure skating is on. not to mention the fact that almost ever group/individual falls at least once.
Dick Button is perhaps the one single person who revolutionlized figure skating as we know it. A six time US Champion, World Champion, and two time Olympic Champion his excellent in the sport is world renowned.
I am going to tolerate this to use as an example of how little has changed in 32 years since Dick Button, a married man at the time, was assaulted by a mob of men in Central Park because they thought he was gay. They were later caught and convicted.
Perhaps they were also jealous of the accomplishments of the American Prince with a:
@bardtoob Yes. Little has changed. I was beaten to a pulp in Central Park in the 80s by some black thugs who called me "honkey m***** f*****. They took my wallet and kicked me on the ground until I had 3 broken ribs. Unfortunately the cops were not as cooperative in finding the perpetrators because I did not have as many great accomplishments as Mr. Buttons.
@bardtoob He is gay you fool. He married when about 60 years old to a woman "friend" of many years. It's called a beard! You are an idiot if you don't think he is gay. Personally, I have probably slept with more "married men" than unmarried gay men who are honest about their sexuality.
@buttonz1939 Oh well, male figure skater, homo creep, let's get him.... Unfortunately, this mentality still is alive and spoiling for a one-sided fight. Dick did the 1st triple in competition, didn't he? Amazing for the times. And what blows me away even now is that these competitions were held OUTDOORS! Dick was, and is, amazing. He has achieved so much in his life. He was not a "bye" into Harvard because of ancestors, so HE EARNED HIS PLACE THERE. What a concept. BRAVO to Dick...
I learned to skate outside and prefer it. Depends on the climate though - if you live where it tends to thaw slightly and refreeze throughout the winter then outdoor ice is so much better than indoor. But that's just my opinion based on my experiences.
I know I'm going to get allot of flack for saying this...but Dick Button is kind of harsh as a commentator. I feel like muting it sometimes when he's talking, it takes so much away from the performance.
On the other hand he was a great skater in his day, and credit must be given where it's due. I just wish his criticism was a bit more constructive while he's commentating :)
Its fun to see the old tapes as they skated outdoors until the mid and late '60's.Dick had a few jumps you don't see anymore in competition.Dick's ex-wife was Janet Lynn's coach.Slava and Dick's two kids weren't into skating,they have careers in theater.Same as David and Hayes/Carol Jenkins kids,they didn't follow their parents into skating.Its sure in their blood.
he may be great as a figure skater, but certainly not as a commentator
macstjo 1 week ago
great skater... but can he land a quad? If Dick Button was in his 20s today, I sure he would have easily had the quad.
DrFlippin 1 year ago
@DrFlippin I agree, Dick would have done it, and landing with a nice, out-flow position. No offense to Elvis Stojko. Different skaters (radically), different times. Dick had to do school figures. Elvis would not have stayed in the rink for them. But again, different times.
ja3399 1 year ago
I've always liked Dick Button.He is deaf in one ear now,ever since that fall on the ice a few years ago.See if any other American man can win a second gold in F S?The judges in 1994 were never going to let Brian win again but then didn't skate his best.:(Its amazing that his and Slavka's two children didn't skate.They're involved in the theater world.
HattieLovesCattie 1 year ago
people were so easily amused. love it.
koolaidnhemlock 1 year ago
this guy looks like he would be in 20th place in the vancouver olympics. What a fail. His jumps look really bad sorry.
KellyRuleszzzz 1 year ago
@KellyRuleszzzz You must be a complete idiot to compare programs from Vancouver to a program from 62 years ago. And as bad as his jumps look to you, since you probably have never seen a jump that took off from a figures based curved edges, he introduced the Double Axel to Olympic competition during this event.
visceraltuning 1 year ago
@KellyRuleszzzz let me put this in words you understand. you know those jumps you see in todays competitions? DICK BUTTON CREATED THOSE JUMPS. AND HE PERFECTED THE TECHNIQUES FOR MANY OF THOSE JUMPS. did you know that people used to jump with uncrossed legs? he introduced the crossed legged technique for jumps.
SdSwedeBurrito 1 year ago
@SdSwedeBurrito well watever he perfected looks totally unproffesional and ugly. Im happy the skaters today changed their jump style. Cuz Dick's jump style looks awful
KellyRuleszzzz 1 year ago
@KellyRuleszzzz the thing is the skaters today weren't the ones who changed their jump style. DICK BUTTON DID.
SdSwedeBurrito 1 year ago
Today's Dick Button is Evgeni Plushenko - too bad not many people recognize it...
Solangeag 1 year ago
gotta love the pond they are skating on...todays skaters would have a cow
Sherriehoney 2 years ago 3
Back then skating looked pretty stiff compared to today's champions, but Dick was a class act and a true champion of his era.
normthedoorman 2 years ago
Back then, male skaters' loafers were not light enough to attempt quadruples.
Also, he appears to be skating in a three-piece suit.
M0DEAN 2 years ago 2
They also have equipment today that would have been unheard of in Dick Button's day. If the skaters of today had to do their routines with the kind of skates and other equipment that Dick Button had, they would not even begin to be able to do what they do now. Just appreciate what he did in the light of the time when he performed these amazing performances.
rhomp2002 2 years ago 3
He makes figure skating look manly : )
Tsukasa57412 2 years ago
Lol... His name is Dick Button. Hahahahahahahahaha
intothewild1993 2 years ago
Dick Button rocks! He looked like he was having so much fun while skating... you don't see that very often these days.....
tatipheebs 2 years ago 2
he's not gay, this was before mens skating went all gay!! though his name sounds a little funny! are male skaters being assaulted these days because of their gayness? haven't heard of any. don't go thinking I'm a gay basher or homophobe, I'm NOT!! as a matter of fact , my boyfriend is gay!!!!
fatelvis85 2 years ago
@fatelvis85 figure skating never went gay. there are just a bunch of douchebags that spread rumors everyone believed. period.
schnisha95 2 years ago
@schnisha95 Honey, as an former competitive figure skater let me tell you there are more queens in skating than in all the Royal Houses of Europe! The straight male skater is the oddity! Gay and proud!!!!
markbob120 1 month ago
@markbob120 well in that case, you just met a very rare case :)
schnisha95 1 month ago
@schnisha95 I guess so! Did you skate competively? Where and when? regionals? Sectionals? Nationals? worlds?
markbob120 1 month ago
@markbob120 i still skate.. i haven't started competing, but i've been skating for a while now
schnisha95 1 month ago
Some mighty fine skatin', you see! :)
billthebutcher2 2 years ago 2
He's a classic and helped us all appreciate the sport. It wouldn't be the Olympics without him.
markminter 2 years ago 7
To the other commenter. Yea, I hear ya. I wish some these so called guys would come out wearing a tie and jacket for a little retro skating like Dick Button. Watching these skaters compared to his FLAWLESS performance doesn't even compare. It seems THEY ALL miss or stumble these days and makes it hard to watch.
thomaso61 2 years ago
So called guys? What's that supposed to mean? Dick Button did single, double and the rare triple jump and he had his share of stumbles.
Today's athletes do quadruple-triple combinations. There's a reason why they stumble at timesthey're attempting extremely challenging jumps. If any competitor today did one of Dick Button's routines, they wouldn't have a chance at a medal.
MarcinCalifornia 2 years ago 2
Dick was great and moved our sport on considerably. But, this was not a flawless performance, there is a botched jump sit spin at 0:20 where Dick touches down and loses rotation, plus the final jump camel spins only have about 2 revolutions on each foot , that would be unacceptable today. ALL skaters fall at some point, Dick Button and his generation included. Today's skaters perform vastly more difficult and dangerous routines.
npe1 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
this is much better than the fruits skating around now. i can't even watch the Olympics on nights that figure skating is on. not to mention the fact that almost ever group/individual falls at least once.
vermurle 2 years ago
I am glad to hear his voice once again as an Olympic commentator in this year's Olympic Games figure-skating events
He adds a little bit of class to what has often become a class-less sport.
pragmaticus123 2 years ago 5
Dick Button is perhaps the one single person who revolutionlized figure skating as we know it. A six time US Champion, World Champion, and two time Olympic Champion his excellent in the sport is world renowned.
Laceydog 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
hes gay
buttonz1939 2 years ago
I am going to tolerate this to use as an example of how little has changed in 32 years since Dick Button, a married man at the time, was assaulted by a mob of men in Central Park because they thought he was gay. They were later caught and convicted.
Perhaps they were also jealous of the accomplishments of the American Prince with a:
- Broadcasting Career
- Harvard JD
- Harvard BA
- 2 Olympic Gold Medals
- 5 World Championships
- European Championship
- 7 National Championships
bardtoob 2 years ago 16
@bardtoob Yes. Little has changed. I was beaten to a pulp in Central Park in the 80s by some black thugs who called me "honkey m***** f*****. They took my wallet and kicked me on the ground until I had 3 broken ribs. Unfortunately the cops were not as cooperative in finding the perpetrators because I did not have as many great accomplishments as Mr. Buttons.
cesar1963able 1 year ago
@bardtoob He is gay you fool. He married when about 60 years old to a woman "friend" of many years. It's called a beard! You are an idiot if you don't think he is gay. Personally, I have probably slept with more "married men" than unmarried gay men who are honest about their sexuality.
An open honest GAY man.
markbob120 1 month ago
He's less gay than the video of you singing in drag.
visceraltuning 2 years ago 3
@buttonz1939 Oh well, male figure skater, homo creep, let's get him.... Unfortunately, this mentality still is alive and spoiling for a one-sided fight. Dick did the 1st triple in competition, didn't he? Amazing for the times. And what blows me away even now is that these competitions were held OUTDOORS! Dick was, and is, amazing. He has achieved so much in his life. He was not a "bye" into Harvard because of ancestors, so HE EARNED HIS PLACE THERE. What a concept. BRAVO to Dick...
ja3399 1 year ago
@buttonz1939 Only a fool could watch this performance and find nothing to discuss except sexual orientation.
PierreMcDuck 9 months ago 4
I learned to skate outside and prefer it. Depends on the climate though - if you live where it tends to thaw slightly and refreeze throughout the winter then outdoor ice is so much better than indoor. But that's just my opinion based on my experiences.
hlcobassoon1 2 years ago
They should have outside again at the Olympics...make is more authentic and what nice scenery!
josny1 2 years ago
All that's missing is Dick saying "good boy" after each jump!
npe1 2 years ago
I know I'm going to get allot of flack for saying this...but Dick Button is kind of harsh as a commentator. I feel like muting it sometimes when he's talking, it takes so much away from the performance.
On the other hand he was a great skater in his day, and credit must be given where it's due. I just wish his criticism was a bit more constructive while he's commentating :)
mtanara 2 years ago
@mtanara You're certainly going to get flack from me :)
All in good humor, of course~
gabbynewneo 2 years ago
You can see how his skating influenced Scott Hamilton's performance too... they had the same low center of gravity and quickness on the ice.
nightswimmer99 2 years ago
it must have been really tough skating on an outdoor rink. I love Dick, he is such a legend and such class.
tinymavy 2 years ago 2
That split jump at 0:30 was huge!
Mr Button sure was one cool cat.
sk8412c 2 years ago 3
was he doing double loops and salws?
FigureSk8Lvr96 2 years ago
Yeah. It was at this competition that he introduced the Double Axel. He would not introduce the first triple until 1952, the Triple Loop.
He was capable, but never performed the Triple Salchow or Triple Toe Loop in competition.
bardtoob 2 years ago
Its fun to see the old tapes as they skated outdoors until the mid and late '60's.Dick had a few jumps you don't see anymore in competition.Dick's ex-wife was Janet Lynn's coach.Slava and Dick's two kids weren't into skating,they have careers in theater.Same as David and Hayes/Carol Jenkins kids,they didn't follow their parents into skating.Its sure in their blood.
HattieLovesCattie 2 years ago
I think flying camel should still be called "Button Camel" to this day!!!
gabbynewneo 2 years ago 4
Its so nice to watch this vintage footage of a true skating legend.
diiiiiiiinamite 2 years ago
Uncle Dick was such a slacker!!!
Only:
Two(2)Olympic Gold Medals
Five(5) World Championships
One(1) European Championship
Three(3) North American Championships
Seven(7) US National Championships
Undergraduate Harvard University
Graduate Harvard Law
bardtoob 3 years ago