1987 Debi Thomas' Greatest Performance

A great admirer of Mr. Frick, Debi introduced us to a very familiar skater, Wanda Beasel.......anyone who has spent any time at all in a skating rink recognizes this insightful performance. Not many skaters manage to endear themselves so heartily in the eyes of their fans, but Debi was a breath of fresh air in a somewhat turbulant and crazy period of ladies figure skating (culminatng in the insanity of Detroit). Truly a great representative of toughness and beauty in American skating.

I recently happened to see Bud Greenspan's 1988 Olympic documentary about the men's and women's figure skating event. Like many, I had been puzzled over the year's by Debi's actions at the games, but there was so much going on behind the scenes there, that a lot is now understandable. Unlike the men's competitors (the 2 Bryans) who both gave each other berth and respect during the event, Debi was repeatedly bombarded by a psychic assault from Katarina and Uta Mueller (it is shown many times in the film). I hope winning two Olympic titles was worth such unsportsmanlike behavior. I wouldn't have acknowledged her on the podium either. I just wish we had all known the WHY at the time.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• figure
• skating
• 1987
• Worlds
• Ladies
• Debi
• Thomas
• Wanda
• Beasel

[vutmat123]

How is this a good performance. I know she meant to do all the falls but did she get a good score...um I'm lost after reading you guys comments.

[k9henrydog]

@vutmat123 This was just an exhibition performance. She just demonstrates a connection 2skating, &life on the ice. We all skated like this at 1 time, & we see little girls everyday running around the rink like this. It is a far more endearing emotional connection to her fans, than any 'additional' triple jump or spin could be...it shows a thoughtful 'intellectual' approach to her skating, which I have to say is quite absent from all the techinically brilliant programs we see presented today.

[LynRuiz]

Debi's got a sense of humor. Cool.

[mlc2005]

THIS is the way an exhibition should be... this is so much more fabulous than a 15 year old skating to a celine dion song

[ebichu64]

I cannot believe I found this. I remember watching this on TV. It was the Gala at the end of - I think - the Winter Olympics. I couldn't even remember her name, just that she was American and I think she skated the whole competition brilliantly with a severe injury (so the bandage isn't just part of her costume) I love the way she made fun of herself. Great comic performance - as flawless as Les Dawson playing the piano. Brilliant, and thanks for uploading it. Made me laugh all over again.

[HowDareThey1970]

@vutmat123 meant to be comedic. people get a kick out of it.

[KimDavidsonMusic]

OMG--how had I never seen this. Hilarious. Always loved Debi. What a great sense of humor on top of all her other talents. :)

[k9henrydog]

@k9henrydog YOUTUBE messed up this comment by omitting Part 2....It is KATARINA I am talking about not ever watching on television again........I will update my COMMENTARY section later tonite, to make sure no one is confused by my notes......The editing of the programmer "created" Debi so called response. She did 'not' acknowlege Katarina on the awards stand, but after her and Utta Muellers catty and unsportmanlike behavior during the event, (doucmented on tape I WOULD NOT HAVE EITHER!!!

[k9henrydog]

@k9henrydog ...(part 3) television either!! ANd I would encourage any American sports networks NOT to even Hire Her.....After this insight, she has dropped to the absolute BOTTOM of my list......Catch this insightful Olympics tribute if you have the opportunity.......and learn a lesson, not to judge based only on What You See.......it is almost always, NOT the complete story. best wishes

[k9henrydog]

@k9henrydog I recently saw the Bud Greenspan film about the 1988 Olympics,, and was 'educated' abit by it. It focuses on the Battle of the Brians, and the Ladies event. The camera focused a great deal more on Debi's face during the performance, and you can honestly "see" she is fighting and calling on all her competitive experience to try and save, or at least make her performance "work"! This did NOT come across in the live televised event!! I can now see that it was the editing......

[ViVi80]

hahaha..... THIS debbie thomas should go to the 2014 Olympics!!! bet no one can beat THIS !!!!! LOL

[kitkat051888]

This was hilarious.

[HattieLovesCattie]

@kevinvisaman At least she didn't yank off her medal like Surya Bonaly did at one worlds.Debi is a Dr.now( orthopedic surgeon ).She is doing more important things.

[EightballRus]

@vutmat123 You're "punking" us right?