Figure skating, the Olympics and whatever else

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Comments by: YACCS

 
When is it time to leave? When should a legend retire? When should the old guard by replaced by the young guns?

Figure skating recently faced this age old sports question at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, watching as Todd Eldredge and Elvis Stojko skated in their final Olympics. At 30, they had both outlasted and outskated their younger rivals for far longer than expected in the sport. Stojko helped usher in the quad jump mania landing the first quad-triple combination in 1997. Eldredge perhaps reminded the sport of what was lost with the jumping beans by displaying fine overall skating, including terrific spins and edges.

Watching USA Network's coverage of the US Open, I was reminded of an interesting parallel to skating occurring right now in men's tennis. For a good portion of the 1990s, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras dominated men's tennis, winning a combined total of 20 major titles. Both over thirty now, the two tennis stars seem in no hurry to take that final bow at centre court, even though their opponents are getting younger and stronger, with even faster serves.

During an interview today, Sampras said, "I want to win another major." Ranked 17th in the world now, many wonder whether Sampras has enough to beat the Hewitts and Safins and Roddicks of the tennis world. One of his recent opponents said "He still has the serve." Which as I discovered is something of an empty compliment. If you don't have the rest of the game to back it up, you're in trouble. You might fool some of your opponents, but eventually someone will figure you out. Agassi is still considered a threat with strong finishes throughout the season, but one wonders if he still has the stamina to endure the long tennis schedule.

These quotes from the USA Network coverage speak volumes about the situation for any sport:

From Pete Sampras, longtime and former #1, now older and ranked #17 at the US Open, after his round one win: "I'm going to play as long as I'm enjoying it and as long as I'm in contention. I feel like I can still do it. But it happens in all sports with all athletes - when they get a little older and they're not as dominant. You know, everyone thinks they're an expert and what I should be doing and how I should leave and... I just can't listen to all that stuff. Just believe in yourself, go out there and play and keep it simple."

The commentary below followed the clip of Sampras' interview:

Jim Courier (retired champion player): "Why do we want to retire our athletes? If Pete Sampras wants to keep playing and he's earned his right to be in the draw, why do we want him to go? This is a great champion; let him stay around and play as long as he wants to play."

Chris Myers (broadcaster): "It doesn't taint the great accomplishments that...?"

Jim Courier: "What he's done is in the books. They won't be erasing those 13 titles, and if he wants to add one more, and whether that happens or not, we'll see..."


posted by Julia at 6:42 PM