Johnny Weir, my favorite ice skater as much for his who-gives-a-damn personality as his skating talent, will not be going to the world figure skating championships after finishing fifth at this weekend’s nationals. Weir has been at worlds every year since 2003.
Weir blamed the flu he been fighting for a month for his lackluster performance and had an answer for the ages when told that Michael Jordan played well in the NBA Finals one year despite being equally sick.
“It may sound like an excuse, but you have to remember that Michael Jordan had a whole team around him,” Weir said. “I’m a single, skinny, sparkly boy standing by myself.”
Weir was still hoping the U.S. Skating Federation would pick him as one of the three U.S. skaters at the worlds in Los Angeles in March based on past performance. The committee, though, chose the top three finishers from the nationals: national champ Jeremy Abbott, second place Brandon Mroz and defending national champion Evan Lysacek. Weir argued that his illness should have been a mitigating factor. (“I lost eight pounds in one day,” said Weir. “Normal people would’ve missed two weeks of work.”)
Sorry, Johnny, but that’s a tough argument to swallow. Especially since he has argued against skaters who begged to be placed on teams for similar reasons.
“It’s hard for me to respect when people do that,” he said of petitioning for a place on the world team. “I think you should fight for your place on the team. But at the same time, and not to sound like I’m double-dipping, but I hope the committee that selects the world team can look back and see what I did last season and what I’ve done this season. I’ve already pushed through sickness during events and skating problems.”
Weir needs to suck it up, continue to work hard at practice and take his next shot in trying to qualify for next year’s Olympics. And remember to rest and drink plenty of fluids.
on Jan 26th, 2009 at 8:21 PM
OK Weir had ONE bad weekend. This means nothing. Yeah he messed up. OK so what? Does the United States want a medal at worlds? If they do, then they better put Weir on the team. Are you forgetting Takahashi and Stephan? What in the world are you thinking. ONE bad weekend. ONE! I’ll say this. He did someting that was remarkable. He FINISHED that program with that triple lutz, double toe combo before he fell on the triple flip. He NEVER gave up. That is more than I can say for others that are close to the finish line knowing they have lost and not getting to the wire. Champions do NOT give up!!
Weir deserves to be on the world team and believe me, there is a lot of noise about this with the USFSA.
on Jan 26th, 2009 at 10:10 PM
That’s right Rose, champions do not give up. They do, however, have to win. Unless you want figure skating to be like the BCS …
on Jan 26th, 2009 at 10:34 PM
Yeah sorry but if Martina Navratilova had the flu going in the Wimbledon semifinals and lost to a lower ranked player she shouldn’t/wouldn’t have gotten a free pass into the final because she was sick.
on Jan 27th, 2009 at 12:41 AM
Never understood the fascination with Weir. Go to any local gay bar…and you’ll find a smart mouth twink just like him. I think I’d like him better if he’d shut-up and skate. His off the shoulder costumes…are well…ugly. Johnny Queer didn’t win…end of story. I’m glad they didn’t send him. Jeremy “cutie-pie” Abbott is da man. He along with Evan should have NO problem placing high enough to keep us with 3 positions for the Oly. The women…uhm…not sure about that. Oh, Stephan Lambiel retired from competing back in October.
on Jan 27th, 2009 at 8:36 AM
“Are you forgetting Takahashi and Stephan?”
Takahashi has been injured all season and will not be at Worlds. Stephan Lambiel retired in October.
on Jan 27th, 2009 at 9:27 AM
I am pretty tired of Johnny Weir and all his whining and crying.I change the channel when he skates. I for one will be rooting for Jeremny Abbott and Brandon Mroz.
on Jan 27th, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Jeremy Abbott is hot.
Johnny Weird is not.
on Jan 27th, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Johnny did a fine job representing the US at 2008 Worlds. He has proven he is a contender at that level and should be there representing the US in March, 2009. I, for one, will not watch the Worlds as a result of this decision. Johnny’s talent brings “fire and excitement” to the competition; without him, it’s blah!
on Jan 27th, 2009 at 10:35 PM
Johnny was the only US skater to medal at worlds last year. If he was sick this year, he should have pulled out and applied for a medical bye. But instead, he went for it and now can’t bitch. He’ll be back next year.
on Jan 28th, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Weir shouldn’t be punished for his competing while sick instead of taking the easy way out and pulling out. Other skaters have gotten on the team before without competing at nationals due to injury or illness.
He also shouldn’t be punished for being himself and being flamboyant.
He’s also earned a spot at Worlds, especially considering he was the only US medalist of any kind there last year (including men’s, women’s, pairs, and ice dancing). It’s a shame he won’t be there.
on Jan 29th, 2009 at 12:37 PM
He lost eight pounds off a 105 pound frame in one day? Yeah sure. Someone should teach this total prima donna what it’s like to lose with class.
on Feb 1st, 2009 at 2:02 PM
You can gloat about Johnny’s failure till the end of time. I say as the person who doesn’t live in the USA. People all over the world love the American figure skating only because of Johnny Weir. Lysacek and Abbott are little cheeses. You as Egyptian vultures guzzle Johnny now when he’s stumbled. Sincerely I wish Americans to lose the World championships and not to receive three spots for a next Worlds. The French and Japanese figure skaters will fuck your ugly Jeremy, Brandon and Evan.
on May 2nd, 2009 at 1:37 PM
I’m from Hong Kong, a straight teenage girl but I love Johnny Weir. I think he has a likable personality but a little bit emotionally unstable. Hope he stays healthy and bounce back next season at the Olympics even though I’m not an American! Gotta love this man.
on Jul 26th, 2009 at 2:09 PM
How can you not just LOVE Johnny Weir? His style on and off the ice is just awesome. He simply stands up for himself and the un-intelligent crowds circle in for some sort of frenzied feeding. I applaud his tenacity and wish for the camp that retorts him as being “whiney” to choke on their own idiocy. He’s one of the all-time greats in this unbelievably demanding sport. He should be on this team…period.
on Sep 9th, 2009 at 8:00 AM
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