Skater Johnny Weir slams republicans

[LynneSin]

http://www.salon.com/ent/col/fix/2006/02/16/thu/index.html?source=salon.rss

Money Quote:
Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir on those who might not like his flamboyant style: "I know that a lot of people, especially the more Republican-style people, are very afraid of what I mean to the sport and what I'm going to say, what kind of revolutionary, crazy things are going to come out of my mouth. Good for them, they should be scared." (Deadspin)

Shame the kid lost out on the medal but here's hoping to hearing some good stuff from Weir!

[begin_within]

1. Loved it. He also told his critics to "eat it."

[judaspriestess]

2. omg your avatar is hilarious n/t

[begin_within]

5. We all go a little mad sometimes.

[amitten]

3. Plus, he's a fantastic skater. n/t

[henslee]

4. more on Weir from Mercury news (funny)

....Weir is a charming, funny kid from rural Pennsylvania. He isn't afraid to say anything - even to call himself "princessy" or to describe a competitor's short program as "a vodka-shot-let's-snort-coke kind of thing." His favorite book is "The Devil Wears Prada" though his favorite author is Leo Tolstoy. He's a fashionista and a Russophile. He's learned to speak Russian and wears a vintage CCCP Sweater. He went shopping on Via Roma and considered buying a mink-lined umbrella. He calls his family "country bumpkins."

He wears a swan outfit, complete with an orange beak that he calls Camille. On Thursday he was dressed in turquoise with chiffon wings. He once called one of his outfits "Care Bears on acid." He said of Thursday's fashion choice, "The Care Bears are back!"

He said he couldn't predict how he'd perform in Thursday's long program, because "I could very well wake up and feel horrible, like Nick Nolte's mug shot."

[LynneSin]

6. I love this guy

And I'll say this much - that Russian skater SUCKED. I mean, sure he could do all these fancy, impressive jumps but that's all his long program was - a bunch of jumps and bad artistic skills. The swiss guy, the Candian and even Weir had great jumps (not as good as the Russian) but were much more overall artistic.

Get this - the guy lives in Newark DE. Hell I work in Newark.

Actually there is a major figure skating training center in that town

[bumblebee1]

10. I loved Dick Button's description of Plushenko's program.

Jump, jump, jump, flail your arms. Jump, jump, jump, flail your arms. I always had the feeling that Plushenko skated like a windmill on ice. Maybe he should have represented the Netherlands instead of Russia. Now, imagine the announcement at a major competition: Ladies and gentlemen, now representing the Netherlands, eh, make that Russia, Evgeny Plushenko. I'd like to add a couple more skaters with more artistic skills than Evgeny Plushenko: Evan Lysacek(U.S.), Emmanuel Sandhu (Canada).

An update: I read that on his way to the Milano airport, Evgeny Plushenko was involved in a car accident. No one was hurt. It was a minor crash.

[Pithlet]

12. His short program reminded me

Of a marionette who's puppeteer was falling down the stairs. It really was ridiculous. They need to tweak this new points system.

[July]

20. Yeah, what's with the points for a quad that ends in a fall?

Even though that's an athletic part of the sport, it strikes me as strange because artistry and elegance have always been a big part of it, too. Falling on your ass seems to me to take a little away from the "flow," no?

[DS1]

18. It's all stupid-flailing-of- arms-bullshit. Much like magicians and their

assistants.

[LisaL]

26. All that criticism sounds like a severe case of sour grapes to me.

Especially considering the rest of the field were falling down like flies.

[azmouse]

13. I thought the Russian skater

could have sat on his ass on the ice and scooted across the rink and he still would have won the gold. It was such an obvious set up.

[bumblebee1]

14. I had the same feeling too.

especially the way her was marked so out of reach of the rest of the field.

[ScreamingMeemie]

17. I think the best skater-artistically speaking-was that Matt guy...

I was transfixed.

[July]

21. And the short Canadian -- Sean something?

I think they said he was 19 years old. I enjoyed his performance.

[bumblebee1]

23. MrsGrumpy

that was Matt Savoie

[July]

19. Who was the guy early on (peachy-beige outfit) who was being

praised by all the commentators for his elegance and old-style skills?

[LisaL]

24. The curse of the Nick Nolte must have happened to him in

his long program after all.

[xchrom]

7. he is the very definition of FABULOUS.

he knows how to be fabulous, live fabulous, dress fabulous...

it's a gay thing.

[LisaL]

8. He talks big. Would be nice if he coud skate big too.

Wasn't going to happen, was it?

[LostinVA]

9. I just wish she'd come out

Everyone knows he's gay... everyone knows many male skaters, coaches, etc. are. They don't have to run around screaming, "I'm gay!" But I wish they wouldn't hide it. I can't remember the exact quote, but I remember Michelle Kwan being asked a few years ago about dating guys on the skating circuit. She giggled and was all like, "Skaters?!"

But good for him! And Joey Cheek! We have some outspoken kids this year. Yay!

[DrGonzoLives]

11. I have a hard time picturing a figure skater as a rebel

Maybe that's just me.

[Benfea]

27. You need to familiarize yourself with Elvis Stojko

The only way to describe him is "flamboyantly hetero."

I don't much care for figure skating, but Elvis cracked me up every time he hit the ice, and he was pretty darned good at it too.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

15. Shame? This kid did NOT deserve the medal.

Talk about your anti-clutch athletes!

He ran of the most diva-ish list of excuses I've seen this side of the NBA!! I'm GLAD that asshole lost. He is not worthy of being an Olympian and he's even worse than the widely maligned Bode Miller.

[LisaL]

25. He didn't get one.

The medal, that is.
I do not think he handles the pressure very well.

[GalleryGod]

16. Such heat !

[SOteric]

22. He stormed off the ice in a huff after he realised he wouldn't medal.

That isn't exactly admirable behaviour even if I do agree with his politics.

[Benfea]

29. Diva to the last. ;) -nt

[Benfea]

28. Funny quote from him on the NBC olympics site

"It does stifle creativity, because a lot of the interesting elements and interesting positions you can hit throughout a program aren't considered difficult if you aren't chewing on your own foot from behind your left ear."

I don't really care if the kid can't skate, he's funny!