1994 Dance Oksana Grishuk & Evgeni Platov FD Rock`Roll

[jansumi]

I well recall my anger that night too actually. It was so clear something was off. G & P never made any sense to me and still don't. But that was of course before we Knew... Ah, the good old days of ice dance judging... today their GOE marks wouldn't get them any medals - like juniors, yes. T & D - in a class by themselves as always, as were Usova and Zhulin that night as well.

[babynurse89]

I LOVE this Dance...I can't believe it was eighteen years ago!!!

[lindsaystevenson]

I still can't sit through this as I get so angry? Torvill & Dean's performance and musicality was in another league!!!

[skuzinsk]

In terms of the difficulty of step sequences, the position in and difficulty of lifts, the transitions into and out of their elements, their overall blade skills, individual posture, dance carriage, and unison of movement (both timing and angle), they deserved at most third in this segment and the silver overall (though a bronze would be arguable). Plus: the whole package (music, choreo, costume, expression) seems like something to find charming about a junior ice dance team, not olympic champs.

[mcenrem]

Torvill and Dean were robbed!! They deserved 1st, this couples arms and legs are a mess and un co-ordinated!

[metsdudenj]

Interestingly the Ukrainian and Byelorussian judge put them third, I would think the former SSR republics would have supported the Russians, go figure. Torvill and Dean were better than this

[j0287garcia]

Torville and Dean were robbed!

[naialah]

bravi ! ma l'oro lo meritavano usova zhulin

[lyalis1]

La plus grande danse tous les temps.

[kirkenes]

Technically, they brought the sport through the roof. As much as I love T/D, their luckluster FD couldn't hold a candle to this. It was the T/D's 1982 FD for the new era.

[BigdealXXIII]

A very youngish, fast performance. Definitely worths to be in the top 10 in an Olympic Games.

But to win with THIS????? A joke.

[MEADOWBUTTERCUP]

They were pretty good , the dance was lively and energetic but they were not in the same league as Torvill and Dean who outclassed them on every level.

[Benita445]

So many years later and this win is still one of the greatest embarrassments to figure skating.

[belenjopunk]

Really. They should have never won this competition. However, they deserved it four years later and won the gold for Memorial.

[russianskatingfan]

@belenjopunk I thought the top 3 teams all had various strengths and weaknesses relative to each other in the free dance. I dont think it is clear either way how it should have gone. I probably would have gone with Usova & Zhulin over the other two just due to sentiment though.

[twilso96]

Actually Torvill & Dean stuck to dancing in the free dance in 1994.

[LDVTennis]

What was so original about G&P is all here in this program.  They actually tried to dance. Frankly, it was a refreshing departure from the theatrical, stagy ice "dancing" of T&D. Every style has its time and place. But, it is ice dancing, not ice theater.

[cvwarrman]

He was a far better skater than she was.

[MrEurocat]

This won Gold? Oh dear..........the only positive thing is they are fast. They dance too far apart at times, her (& him) lack grace, they seem to fling themselves around the rink. No real control & they totally lack sophistication. A simple case of if you dont have talent - sell it!

[boguswoman81]

@MrEurocat Except "fast" and "too far apart", you haven't mentioned any real figure skating terms. I can agree with you about grace and sophistication, but it's still (at least partially) a matter of perception. Besides, they have other good traits (in my opinion) - pretty good choreography, distinct style, playfulness (in this particular program), charisma.

[MrEurocat]

@boguswoman81 "no real figure skating terms" because I am no expert - just, this performance does nothing for me at all. As for a gold medal? ... ptffff...

[boguswoman81]

@MrEurocat I understand that you are not an expert. Of course, that doesn't mean that you can't have your own opinion. Yet, you could have simply said that you don't like this program, and that it's just your opinion, without stating/implying that they didn't deserve gold and that hey have no talent. Because (especially, if you're not an expert) those are just your thoughts, not a fact.

[MrEurocat]

@boguswoman81 I dont like the program or their style of dance. Regardless, whether Im an "expert" or not - doesnt make me right. You suppose - wrongly- experts are right. I am an "expert" in another field but that doesnt mean Im always right. They stink as far as Im concerned - not technical skating language but you get the message. They didnt deserve the gold on this occasion, or any other. I hope Im making myself clear. IMO - they are not at a standard that deserves this type of award.

[boguswoman81]

@MrEurocat You misunderstood me. I don't think that experts are always right - not at all. Still, they have more knowledge in their field, and, consequently, their opinion is more grounded.

I still think that your statement is a bit overboard/exaggerated, but thank you for at least adding that "IMO".

[2010watchmenow]

Absolutely deserved GOLD !!! Oksana and Evgeny BRAVO!!! You are true champions!!! :-)

[sorayabranco]

@2010watchmenow

why do you write it so often? to get convinced youself? ; ) ah ah ah

that's a start... because in the deepest of your heart you now nobody shares your opinion...

[boguswoman81]

@sorayabranco Yes, nobody who is a fanatic of Torvill/Dean and other rivals of Grishuk/Platov. I am saying "fanatic", because being simply a fan doesn't exclude objectivity. By the way, I am a fan of neither Grishuk/Platov, nor Torvill/Dean, or any other pair of that time, as I was not watching figure skating all that much at that time. Those are just my observations.

[sorayabranco]

@boguswoman81

Those are not my observations. I don't just talk. I skate as well. Torvil and Dean, Anissina and Peizerat have steps sequences impossible to do to ordinary people as I. G&P are fine but their steps are just fast. Not dificult enough to won the gold. This is ice dancing, not ice races.

[boguswoman81]

@sorayabranco You write it like people who don't skate are not allowed to have their opinion about figure skating. Although probably I just misunderstood you. Anyway, what I meant with "observations'' were more my observations about fans and their often quite biased attitude towards their favourites and their rivals, not about figure skating as such.

But thanks for explaining in a more concrete way. I just dislike people stating something as a fact and not giving any arguments to underpin it.

[boguswoman81]

@sorayabranco Still, I've read a lot of comments from other knowledgeable people who consider Grishuk/Platov one of the best. Probably not so much for this particular performance, but as a pair in general. So, as I am not an expert myself, it's quite difficult for me to determine who to believe.

[kirkenes]

@boguswoman81 They were one of the best. And this FD was not an exception. Grishuk was a major pain in the neck, but her technical prowess was spellbinding.

[2010watchmenow]

Oksana and Evgeny are QUEEN and KING of ice dancing!!!

Forever unbeatable champions!

[sarahjct]

Don't worry about it. The history books will tell the tale and these two will only be a footnote. Stop anyone in any street and ask them to name some ice skaters. You can be damn sure no one would name these two.

[kirkenes]

@sarahjct This just says how clueless the general audiences are.This was a great pair. And they outskated their competitors in 1994 totally. These two were technically the greatest pair before the advent of CoP.

[elicandeable]

@sarahjct In what part of the world that happens?Somewhere they definitely only speak English?

[giggles1242]

I honestly cannot believe the judges placed these pair 1st for gold on THAT performance!!

I mean its just unbelievable it didn't flow and fit together the music was honestly do I need to comment on it?

Torvill and Dean should have Won and got the Gold!!

Even so Jayne and Chris remain the King and Queen of the Ice Skating world and will be in the history books until forever!!!

[madabbafan]

basic moves done fast and not a 6.0 in sight. Plus 4 former soviet judges hmmm coincidence?

[2010watchmenow]

AMAZING

[nightswimmer99]

I don't believe the judges were blind. I believe the judges were paid.

T&D were always fascinating to watch, and always delivered. No Russian pair ever came close to capturing their on-ice chemistry or the discipline in their steps. T&D totally outclassed G&P.

This frenetic, clumsy tribute to the 50's may have been awarded gold by the judges, but the applause told the real tale.

[kirkenes]

@nightswimmer99 Oh, the applause was courtesy of the British tourists. It doesn't count :P You have to be blind not to understand that G/P in 1994 were better than T/D in the FD.

[nightswimmer99]

@kirkenes It doesn't count? Interesting. So by your reasoning, an audience is completely unnecessary at these events.

[zarminashkin]

i love Oksana's passion. she is so full of life and energy on the ice!

[funkychicken30]

What an enjoyable performance to watch. Oksana Grishuk, you are truly a world class athlete, with unrivaled style and talent... breathtaking!

[2010watchmenow]

Simply Brilliant! Genius skaters especially Oksana

[TheSwayzebaby]

RUBBISH RUBBISH RUBBISH OUT OF TIME ALOT!!!!

[2010watchmenow]

Oksana You are the best ice dancer on the planet!!! We love you forever!!!

Jane and Frank. :)

[2010watchmenow]

OKSANA and EVGENY you ROCK!!! THE BEST team ever! Well desreved Gold medal perfomance. Noone got even close to this two even until 2010:)

BRAVO!!!

[2010watchmenow]

Unbeleivably outstanding performance! So fast and fun to watch. Olympic Gold well deserved!!! My favorite ice dancing team ever.

[Leisanchik]

And in fact,that Torvill-Dean have one gold,and Oksana-Evgeny have two Olympic Gold medals!!!!And what are we arguing?Everything proven!!!

[Leisanchik]

Oksana and Evgeny are the best ice-dancers in the world!!!!And they proved it!!

And ROCK-N-ROLL was the great ,unusual that i've ever seen!!!!!But i love and Usova-Zhulin and Torvill-Dean...all of them are great,talented and LEGENDS!!!!!

[HaloScotgal]

There simply is not the synchronicity and fluidity of movement here that you see in Torvill and Dean dances... because they do DANCE, not just skate... This was choppy and looked awkward rather than graceful, quite often they were not dancing together and the dance did not tell a story. Nor did they have that magic between them that you always sense when watching Torvill and Dean. What a shocking result....

[Nataly19789]

Torville and Dean never could dance so!

[Capt777harris]

@Nataly19789 bullshit

[Capt777harris]

@Nataly19789 This is actually a copy of Torville and Deans 1983 OSP routine. In fact it's posted on Youtube.

watch?v=fEHsR679g1M&feature=re­lated

[Capt777harris]

@Nataly19789 This is actually a copy of Torville and Deans 1983 OSP routine. In fact it's posted on Youtube.

watch?v=fEHsR679g1M&feature=re­lated

[Nataly19789]

@Capt777harris

Torville and Deans 1983 OSP - speeds are not present.

3 times repetition of the same movement - boring.

Nobody denies their greatness, but in 1994 г Torville and Deans were not competitors to Russian.

Deans recognised that Oksana and Evgeny were better and have deservedly won. Simply accept it.

[Capt777harris]

@Nataly19789 Complete bullshit. I was watching it live when it happened, and watched the interview with Christopher Dean afterwards, and he flatly stated that the judges obviously had their preferences, even though he and Jane Torville had a better program. AND the Russians used TORVILLE AND DEANS OLD ROUTINE. The one THEY CREATED. And you're telling me they deserved to win?

[Nataly19789]

@Capt777harris

Chris to you tells one, to us another. These are questions to Chris...

[uky1985]

@Capt777harris It came out later on that if the judges had did their jobs grischuk and platov would have won bronze, not gold. sad isn't it. i love these 2 but the 1st and 3rd placements were wrong period.

[Luubelaar]

@uky1985 - I always said they got 2nd correct, but 1st and 3rd around the wrong way. Chris and Jayne were ROBBED.

[uky1985]

@Luubelaar you right

[Capt777harris]

@Nataly19789 I'll also add that they're using American pop music from the 1950's, and using American teenage dance steps. What, can't your peoples' skaters make up their own goddamn routine? They've got to steal from both the UK and the US? How pathetic are you people?

[buschmann1]

@Nataly19789

The whole reason it's repeated 3 times is because it was an OSP, so everybody repeated a dance three times!

Learn something about figure skating before you post on vids, honey.

[Nataly19789]

Oksana, Evgeny - you are the best

[Capt777harris]

A couple of Ruskies doing 1950's Americana? You got to be fucking me.

[buddiek]

What a load of PANTS!!!!!!!

A gold medal winning routine..... I don't think so!!!!

T+D always

[JeriRose2]

Torville and Dean are so much more original, innovative, unique, artistic and inventive. When you a watch them, it's not something you've seen before churned out to a new song with a slightly different foot sequence or lifts. They don't just fly over the ice in a frenzy, so you can't see how precise, beautiful, purposefu and clean each move is. I think when they skate this fast, they can cover up a lot of mistakes. Torville and Dean's pace shows you how perfectly they skate.

[Capt777harris]

They were classier.

[emmyjo720]

This could have been one of Torvill and Dean's old routines. They did a Rock and Roll OD in the 80s and they did this kind of fast skating too but with cleaner lines and edges.

[nhojbew]

@JeriRose2 you got it bang on

[TeddieJoy]

I think that the speed over the ice covered up a lot of sloppiness- what's with the missed hand claps? This was never a gold medal performance just horribly constructed and juvenille- more race around the rink than rock around the clock!

[vmgeea]

they were the greatest...!

[pauluk72]

The Russians were shown up to be the cheats they are in 2002 when they tried to 'buy' the pairs ice dancing gold in Salt Lake City...there is no honour in this victory - it wasn't won fairly.

[Luubelaar]

They were good. No denying that. The judges got the silver medal right, but they got the gold and the bronze the wrong way around.

[10Dec1971]

@Luubelaar So true!

[realmissyblues]

CHEATS!

[Iznibz]

@2:39 and 3:36 you can see the violation of the rules that got Torvill and Dean punished in the same competition. Somehow, though, the Russians never got penalized for this.

[Capt777harris]

Yeah, go figure.

[zenitrulit2]

@Iznibz

This is not the same rule. Torvill-Dean were penalized cos' she left the shoulder-level of her male partner and went higher. Oksana was on that level but never left it, while Jane for a moment was just flying above Chris' head. Which is unappropriate for ice dancing.

[smartbomb33]

Actually these guys were pretty damn good.

[Sanderus]

A very good, entertaining performance. However having said that, they did not deserve to win gold. Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean were better. The judges were blind.

[JeriRose2]

@Sanderus That's exactly what I said! Were the judges blind? Torville and Dean, all the way!

[emmyjo720]

The thing is that everybody that watched that knew it too. The judges were greatly discredited for this.