#team skating

But why don't the Olympics have a legitimate team category? I know figure skating teams exist.

she also tested positive for this banned substance after winning the European championships. The entire Russian Olympic team cannot fly their national flag nor have their anthems played due to a suspension for a decades long state-run doping program. It’s still controversial that a Russian team is competing in the first place.

The medal ceremony for the Olympic figure skating team competition has been delayed by the positive drug test of one member of the gold-medal-winning Russian team.

That being said, i think Germany’s pair skate was probably my favorite of the pair skates

So this is what I believe NEEDS to change with the scoring system so confusion, questions of rigging, and other ridiculousness can be put to a minimum.  Because let's face it, more changes need to be made because it isn't quite fool proof quite yet.  Also, fans do not understand certain accepts, which doesn't make figure skating fan friendly.  Skating needs to make it as fan friendly as possible because this isn't football where the fans stick around each year.  Most people watch every four years during the Olympics.  Let's make it fun beyond the Olympics by making a fair scoring system not only for the skaters, but the fans.  Let credit go where credit is due and understandably.  Okay here we go:

The Host Olympic Country SHOULD NOT be able to judge on ANY of the skating disciplines whatsoever.  I feel this would eliminate any sort of favoritism, chance of rigging, over stacking of sway towards certain countries and all around keeps the playing field level.  So if the Olympics are held in the USA, then there should not be an American judge on the panel.  If the Olympics are in Russia, then a Russian Official can not take part either.  I am not just talking about the regular judging panel, but everyone down to the person to gathers data.  I believe it should be an absolute international panel with no home country advantage.  Fair is fair.  Of course, many would argue that the home country could be eliminated in the current system anyways because the pool system where names are drawn.  I say, take it a step further and narrow the pool down to even less judges.  This way it really keeps the playing field level.

The Anonymity of the Judging Panel needs to be eliminated completely.  That right there hinders I believe the supposed 'transparency' that the federations claim there is.  I am going to disagree whole heartily that being anonymous is being 'transparent'.  If there was ever an oxymoron, that sure is the definition of one.  Whatever country is being used on the panel needs to have their name to paper for all to see.  This way everyone knows what country is represented on the judging panel and where scores are coming from.  I miss the days during the old system where you knew if France, or Russia, or USA, etc showed what they scored.  It was fun seeing how was playing fair or hardball.  That part of the excitement from the old system that didn't translate and transfer to the new system.  Also, if there IS a discrepancy, then we know where it coming from.  Then we can give cold stare down. ;)

If a Judge is ever suspended for a previous infraction, especially if done during major events (I.E. Olympics, Worlds), they should NOT be allowed on an Olympic Panel whatsoever.  This should be a no brainer, but apparently this was allowed on this judging panel, which is total crap in my mind.  That it was allowed to even begin with is absolutely insane and there again doesn't share the 'transparency' theory the federations like us to believe is going on.  Especially when it is the Olympics, ANY judge that has ever had ANY infraction AGAINST them, SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED to participate in a World's or Olympic event.  Period.  If they cheated once, it can happen again.  They had a chance to judge fairly and if they can not judge fairy, then they certainly shouldn't be allowed on an Olympic panel.  The skaters, coaches and other judges shouldn't have to suffer because of that toxic behavior.  That isn't fair or trustworthy.  Especially as a skater, would you want to skate for a judge who doesn't score on what is being presented but is fudging scores for political motives?  Nope.  That isn't fair and an Olympian shouldn't be subjected to that.  Keep those judges off such esteemed panels.  The have no business having the respect and honor to take part in the Olympics if they can not judge fairly.  And don't even talk to me about a certain amount of time passing before being allowed back.  Once a liability, always a liability in my eyes, especially at an Olympics.

If a judge has any sort of connection to anyone in any countries federation (even if not the host nation), you also should not be allowed on the judging panel.  This should also be a no brainer.  But I guess nobody called me to put my input in. ;)  Regardless, this should absolutely be a no-no.  If you are a family member, etc to a top federation judge regardless if host country or not, it us favoritism and that should not be allowed.  Judges are suppose to be unbiased and score within the moment.  End of story.  I believe this one speaks for itself.

The Team event if kept, needs to happen after the individual events. If a skater injuries themselves for the sake of the team, their Olympics is over.  It gives an unfair advantage to skaters who get to skate in the team skate before the individual events simply because they have been on the ice to 'work out' their program before the main event.  All other sports have the team or relay events happen AFTER the individual events.  Which should be the same for skating to make it fair for everyone.  Also regarding the team event, it is not fair if one team has a depth of 2 to 3 skaters to pull from and  the other country only has 1.  I believe for the team event only, every country should be able to bring 2 or 3 skaters to pick from (even if they are not from the 1-3 spots on the National standings going into the Olympics or qualified for the individual events.)  For example, some countries only qualify 1 skater for the individual events.  Which in essence for the individual events, that makes sense.  But the team event it doesn't.  For the team event only, there should a pool of skaters all teams can equally pull from. It is way to unfair for the underdeveloped teams.  It needs to be equally stacked so there is an fair laying field.  You would never play a football game with one team with 11 players and the other team with only 9 players.  It would never work that way!