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Validation.
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The first Word that comes to any synchronized skater's mind when
asked about the possibility of his or her sport finally being
recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
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We, as synchronized skaters, define ourselves as athletes -- or,
more technically, as people who compete in one or more sports that
involve physical strength, speed and/or endurance. But since
certain sports are held in higher regard than others, and because
synchronized skating is not a traditional, mainstream sport like
soccer, football, hockey or Basketball, it gets overlooked, or
written off entirely. To even admit we're athletes is hard for a
lot of people.
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Even within the figure skating community, there's a feeling that
synchronized skating is "less" a part of the sport than the other
four disciplines. There's often a stereotype that skaters join
synchro teams because they "can't jump" or "they just want to
qualify for nationals." People with this point of view don't
realize the unique challenges inherent in synchronized skating.
Recognition from the IOC would help quell these feelings and affirm
synchro's legitimacy within the greater figure skating
community.
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If synchronized skating is finally recognized by the IOC and
included in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, it will give validation
to all the blood, sweat, tears and time we've put into this sport.
Teachers, colleagues and friends will not only come to recognize
the sport -- they will learn to respect us as athletes. We will no
longer have to describe our sport as the Radio City Rockettes or
synchronized swimming on ice, because the general public will see
firsthand the unique intricacies and athleticism our sport entails.
And they will see it on the biggest possible stage in amateur
athletics.
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Figure skating fans will recognize many components of synchronized
skating from other skating disciplines, but they will also observe
a new, three-dimensional layer that comes with performing as a team
of 16. At any given time, skaters have a teammate on either side
of, in front of and behind them. Synchronized skaters aren't just
expected to perform the same quality of deep edges and sharp turns
as athletes in other disciplines; they are also expected to track
multiple teammates in order to maintain choreographed shape,
spacing and positioning, as well as match all arm and free leg
positions. The beauty of synchronized skating is in our numbers; it
is in the precision of performing intricate footwork and lifts,
mirrored by 16 athletes.
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It's every young athlete's dream to compete at the Olympics. For
synchronized skaters, attaining that dream has never been possible.
Despite that, we all willingly become synchronized skaters because
we have a passion for the sport. We hope that one day Olympic
competition will become a reality, but our main focus is to make it
as far as we can, train as hard as we can, qualify for the world
championships and prove that we are worthy. We let the skating do
the talking.
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This sentiment is echoed in the new Under Armour campaign -- I Will
What I Want -- where we see images of Misty Copeland, Lindsey Vonn
and even Gisele Bundchen training determinedly through
discouragement and criticism. They will what they want. Despite the
negativity and doubt they face on a regular basis, these women,
these athletes, prove their strength and athleticism. Look at Misty
Copeland's calves and try to tell her she's not an athlete. Watch a
senior-level synchronized skating team perform interlocking circles
at high speed or a balancing, rotating group lift and try to tell
them they aren't athletes. We will what we want. We are worthy.
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As we look to the future of our sport, the best thing that we can
do is continue training with dedication. We need to ensure that the
quality of every edge, turn, spin and lift is Olympic quality. We
must showcase athleticism to the highest degree, so when the IOC is
watching, it will have no choice but to be thoroughly
impressed.
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Creativity and innovation in choreography are also of utmost
importance. Coaches and choreographers need to focus not just on
the required elements but the flow of each program. Unique
transitions, variations in step sequences and musical
interpretation are key. Rule changes for this season have aided in
this effort. Choreographers now have options when selecting
elements to fulfill level requirements. With these additional
freedoms, programs will take on a more one-of-a-kind look and
feel.
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Synchronized skating first implemented the international judging
system (IJS) almost 10 years ago in an effort to provide a more
concrete, and less political and subjective way to evaluate a
team's performance. Adopting the IJS took away some of the
flexibility coaches and choreographers had under the 6.0 system,
however, forcing teams to perform cookie-cutter programs to fulfill
requirements in an attempt to make judging more objective. While
technical demands and the difficulty level of the sport have
increased, we have been challenged to find the right balance
between the artistry and interpretation of the 6.0 system and the
technique of the IJS -- just as they have in singles, pairs and ice
dance. The sport has grown and developed each year under the
guidance of the ISU and figure skating governing bodies around the
world, and we should be proud of how far we have come.
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officially proposed the inclusion of synchronized skating to the
IOC for the 2018 Winter Olympics. This step alone provides a huge
sense of validation for the synchronized skating community. Even if
it doesn't happen this cycle, we have gained respect from many of
our peers and generated awareness across the globe. In less than 60
years, we have developed from a group of women thrown together to
perform during hockey games to a discipline that is ready to
complete at the Olympic Games. We are athletes, and we will compete
with dedication and determination at every level.
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