Men's Figure Skating Vancouver Controversy-Quad Versus Artistry

Yevgeny Plushenko, the legend of the Russian figure skating, the defending gold champion of men's figure skating, lost to Evan Lysacek, the American who did not have the quad in his Olympic performance, however not without controversy. Uproar of who should have won the gold medal was unavoidable once it became clear that Plushenko's quad was not enough for gold.

Yevgeny Plushenko believes that without a quad there is no Olympic champion, without it the sport doesn't progresses but regresses. He can not comprehend the direction his sport is taking. He is convinced that if the Olympic champion can not do the quad, it is dancing and not men's figure skating. For him figure skating is a sport and not a show. The future of the sport lies in moving forward.

At the same token, Plushenko's coach believes the decision of the judges was criminal and will take the sport 20 years back. In short, to skate without a quad is a shame.

Former Canadian champion Elvis Stojko thinks the judging standards need to be reevaluated. Neglecting athleticism for the sake of artistry is not the right direction for the sport. Taking quad out of the competition is bad for the figure skating. For Stojko, the judging system is seriously at fault.

The bronze medal winner Daisuke Takahashi also believes that quad is crucial for the sport and so do many other skaters. In fact, the quad debate had split the skating community.

Russian media is convinced that judges robbed Plushenko of gold.

Some sport fans believe that the quad should be rewarded higher points and Plushenko should be the one to win the gold, still others debate that judges were right in awarding the gold to Lysacek.

Who should have won the gold will probably be argued for some time to come. And the quad debate and if the sport can not progress without it will go on as well. As will the debate about how fair the present judging system is. Quad is the most difficult jump in figure skating.

Plushenko's disappointment that the quad has turned into a lost cause and that it is not even required any more to win the world championship is real as is real his belief that daring is the vital part of Olympic greatness. His belief that only the quad can justify the Olympic gold goes back to the old spirit of official Olympic motto "Swifter, Higher, Stronger." After all, where does the future of the sport lie if not also in challenges of difficult and hazardous jumps?

Meanwhile, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has praised his figure skating champion believing Plushenko's performance was worth the gold. In fact, Plushenko's silver represents gold in Putin's eyes.

Politics in the Olympic Games is nothing new. Throughout Olympic history it has played a role. Since the ancient time, it has always been a great honor to take part in the Olympic Games for the athletes as well as for the nations.

Controversy had always been a part of Olympic Games as well. And so it is also with Vancouver Games.
It shouldn't be surprising that the Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin and Russian media jumped quickly on political wagon after men's figure skating competition. After all, these are the Olympic Games.

Plushenko has no plans to stop competing.