U. S. Johnny "Weir"s Pink Tassle on His Sleeve, Doesn't Make Top Four

American figure skater Johnny Weir didn't disappoint fans of his flamboyant style at the Men's Short Program in Vancouver on Tuesday night, February 16 during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Weir pranced around the ice to "I Love You, I Hate You," a music choice he said represented both sides of his personality, black vest with pink laces over a sheer, split-sleeved tunic with a matching pink tassle dancing on his sleeve.

Before skating he crossed himself twice and received a pep talk from his coach in Russian.

Weir executed a tight triple Lutz and triple toe-loop, his most difficult, early in the program. He then cleared a triple axel but lost two points for doubling a triple flip. A Change Foot Sit Spin, Circular Step Sequence, and Flying Sit Spin, followed by a Straight Line Step Sequence and a final Change Foot Combination Spin completed his program.

Weir did not lose on points for minor violations or falls, but his clean performance only totaled 82.10 (42.90 for executed elements and 39.20 for the factored program components) which wasn't quite high enough to usurp Swiss skater Stephane Lambiel from his fourth-place finish more than two points ahead of Weir. Judges noticed his lack of transitions and the reduction of spins hurt him overall. As commentators have noted on ever skater in the program, every second of the short program must be so carefully choreographed that any careless mistake can be costly.

Still, Weir's history of making goofy mistakes that put him low in the scores seems to be behind him. He is dedicated to training and is a purist with his technique, for all his lavish costumes and flamboyant dance routines. Even with Tuesday night's sexpot kisses to the crowd, drama-queen facial expressions and a literal nod, more like a head toss, to the judges, Weir new rigid training schedule and dedication to the purism of skating is paying off.

As Weird skated off the ice he crossed himself again and picked up a black heart-shaped pillow with his name embroidered in pink. Smiling into the camera in the "kissing and crying area" he said, "Chris, I love you, I miss you," as he waited to hear his scores.

Weir finished fifth in Turino in the 2006 Winter Olympics and has been a three-time U. S. Champion.