Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, Chinese Oympic Gold Medalists – Love Story

Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo: A Love Story About Skating and the Pursuit of a Dream

It’s been over two weeks since we were inspired by the wonderful story of Chinese pairs figure skaters, Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo, who won the Olympic Gold medal. Their incredible dedication to ice-skating and to each other was an emotional success, as Shen and Zhao became the first Chinese Gold Medalists in figure skating at age 31 and 36 respectively. 

What I loved hearing about this wonderful couple was the story behind their success.  

Shen and Zhao began skating 18 years ago, in 1992.  That’s before many of the competitors of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver were even born.  When Korean Ladies Figure Skating Gold medalist, Yu Na Kim, was only one  year old.  When Canadian Ice Skating Gold Medalists, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, were 2 and 4.

Shen and Zhao  retired in 2007 after winning the world championships three times and the bronze in two separate Olympics.  Of course, they wanted the Gold medal, yet somehow it had always seemed to escape them.  Something else also happened in 2007.  Zhao proposed to Shen on the ice following an incredible World Championship performance in Tokyo.  He got down on one knee and proposed and Shen, not understanding what was going on at first, also got down on her knees, and then said "yes". They were married in May 2007.   

As they continued to tour with Stars on Ice in the US, Shen and Zhao’s dreams of capturing the Olympic Gold seemed to be over. After all, they were retired and Zhao previously had an almost career-ending Achilles injury. But Zhao managed to convince Shen to come back for one more try.  They came out of retirement in 2009 and began their comeback by appropriately winning the Cup of China last season and going on to win all of their events, and also setting a new world record at the prestigious Grand Prix Final.  

But the road out of retirement and back to Olympic medal pursuit meant putting a hold on the intimate and more personal part of their  marriage because Chinese Olympians are required to live and train in the Chinese Olympic facilities. That means living in separate dorms with all meals eaten with all of the other athletes.   

Then the moment came to see if it would all pay off.  Zhao and Shen skated an incredibly strong performance; moving and near flawless.  Zhao told the Xinhua news agency that:  "We wanted the program to show all that we have, and we made it," and Shen added:  "It’s the best gift for the Valentine’s Day."

In the long program, their Chinese rivals, Pang Qing and Tong Jian, raised the heat by skating a near-flawless long program. But ultimately Shen and Zhao were successful, capturing their dream, with Pang and Tong capturing the silver medal.  Zhao summed it all up by saying: “We’ve been in competitions for many years, and won other medals … but every time we heard the national anthem and saw our flag being raised, we wished it was the Olympic Games. Today we’ve achieved our goal.”

Yes, Shen and Zhao,  you did indeed achieve your goal.  And  along the way you inspired us with your dedication, determination, and the love you have not only for each other, but also for ice-skating.  Thank you and may your career and life be richly blessed now and always. 

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Congratulations to Ladies Olympic Figure Skating Winners – Vancouver 2010 Olympics

Congratulations to Yu Na Kim, Mao Asada and Joannie Rochette

What an amazing night of Ladies Figure Skating for the Long Program at the Vancouver Olympics.

Gold Medalist Kim Yu Na of Korea
skated brilliantly with no mistakes.  Her fluidity, ease, grace and artistry were incredible.  She made it all seem so easy, so simple.  With her balletic grace she literally flowed across the ice.  A magnificent performance.  I love that one of my favorite skaters, Olympic Silver Medalist in 1984 and 1988, Canadian Brian Orser, coaches her.  He has done a wonderful job.  While I loved her long program, I liked  her short program, in which she skated to Bond music, even more.  Her flirtatious personality really came out and she really looked like a Bond girl on ice.  She must be thrilled to have claimed not only the Gold medal, but also set a record for having the highest skating score ever, and winning the first Gold medal in Ladies Figure Skating for Korea.  Congratulations, and thank you for a wonderful display of beauty and grace on ice.

Here’s Kim Yu Na skating to the James Bond medley  (This is from Grand Prix — but is the same program as in Olympics)

Silver Medalist Mao Asada of Japan
skated beautifully and has set a new record for being the first woman ever to land 3 triple axels in the same competition.  She had a couple of slip-ups in her program but her fire and determination were there.  I personally loved her long program a lot more than her short program as I felt she allowed her fire, determination and personality to shine through.  My prayer for Mao is that she will be happy with her wonderful achievement and that Japan will celebrate her accomplishments.  She looked almost sad and so very serious during the medal ceremony.  Like she was feeling she had let herself and perhaps her country down.  Dear Mao, you are amazing.  Your skating is brilliant.  Do not allow anyone to make you feel otherwise.  Celebrate your incredible talent, skill and achievements. You are a wonderful athlete and performer.  Thank you for your beautiful program.

Here is a sample of Mao Asada’s skating (sorry it is not in English)

Bronze Medalist Joannie Rochette of Canada
skated with dignity and grace.  Her incredibly moving performance was supported by everyone in the arena, and I am sure, everyone around the world.  When she stumbled a little after under-rotating a jump, the entire audience clapped and supported her to continue. Each time she landed a jump, did a spin or displayed great footwork or any of her highlighting elements, the audience was behind her.  You could feel that everyone so wanted her to do well.  And do well she did!

When it was over she turned her eyes upwards and blew a kiss to the heavens–a symbol of love to her mother who died unexpectedly after arriving in Vancouver to support Joannie in the Olympics.  For Joannie to deliver such a performance just four days after her mother’s death is beyond extraordinary. 

Thank you to commentators Sandra Bezic (Canadian Pairs Skater who with her Brother Val Bezic won Canadian Nationals 1970-74 and placed 9th in 1972 Olympics) and Scott Hamilton (Gold Medalist, Olympics 1984) who honored Joannie’s Long Program as they had done her Short Program, by remaining silent throughout.  Joannie’s performances needed no words.

After it was all over Scott Hamilton said:  "I’ve never seen such a superhuman amount of courage, determination-what an inspiration," added Hamilton.  Play-by-play man Tom Hammond said: "Under these circumstances, it is the stuff of Olympic legend."  Scott Hamilton, wiping away tears, confided that this very day, sixteen years ago,  February 25th, his own father had died, and how Joannie had reminded us all of the fragility of life. 

Joannie Rochette thank you for inspiring us all, thank you for your strength and courage. As you continue to process and journey through your grief, integrating the loss of your beloved mother into your life, know that you are loved and supported. 

To see Joannie skate go to:

http://www.dare2create.com/current-events/prayers-for-joannie-rochette-ladies-figure-skating-olympics-2010-vancouver/

Thank you to all of the competitors for a wonderful event and congratulations to all on participating in the Olympics.

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