I remember watching this with my parents and aunt when I was 12. At the time, the conflict in Bosnia was at its peak, and this performance left us all with tears streaming down our cheeks. Mom said, "Does she know that halfway around the world, people like us are sitting in a living room so touched?" The low numbers she received for the technical performance hurt, because to us, this moment was pure art.
EVAN STERN oh, thats soo nice... I think thats just what Katarina wanted, to draw peoples attention. She once said that she was devasted when she learnt that the skating hall in Sarajevo, where she had wow her first olympic medal, had been totally destroyed during the war.
What an amazing triumph , of pure ❤️ heart, and spirit. No wonder , spirit lead me to you! Such a gem ❤ YOU, ARE AMAZING! I love that red lace design ! My cousin , Paul Spruell, knows all of you, so well, and I'm sure he will be beaming to see you, at the wedding of the millennium falcon , between myself and ROsario Dawson/Anderson! I have to message Oksana, Nancy, Kristie, and the others, separately. Devine mentioned you, more than once, in my spirit , over the last few weeks. The other night , while on my walk, I heard wedding bells , in spirit. That is confirmed, for future reference 🎉🎉 You're obviously one of gods' precious chosen ones. Lean on Christ. Give, and love , with excited passion, and may all of your wildest dreams , come true, in him. We shall indeed share a moment , at the wedding ! Wear all red, bring your plus 3, and check out the dress code , on Craig Robinsons website 😂❤ Keep in touch ! Kiss me ! Xo Joe DRT THA GURU on all Platforms! #rojoforever!
Katarina turned in sloppy performances at ALL her 94 Competitions. She took away Amateur opportunities from Other athletes Because of Judging Politics. After her nude Playboy spread.. Katarina wanted more Glory/Attention. Sad.
you won't. there would never been better skater. in technical level maybe, but never in artistic, class, stylish, entertaining, and whole performance level. she was and is a true lady, one and only queen of the ice.
She couldn't have gone far with those jumps, but what made her so beautiful was her artistry. That's the reason people still call her a legend, she is the living proof that figure skating is an artistic sport, not technical.
As a retired Competitive Figure Skater and I was more Artistic, the judges still want to see an even program of jumps/spins, hard fast footwork, fast strong beautiful artistic moves. A complete combination.
In the time that she competed, she was considered some of the or one of the most technically proficient skaters. It used to be fashionable to only do five triples in order to be competitive. And she mastered four of the five of them. I remember growing up not seeing her make one single mistake or at the very most stepping out a few jumps. She was so consistent it was almost scary. Today, it probably wouldn’t hold up very well, But I used to love jump sequences instead of jump combinations.Maybe because there was a slight pause between jumps or what look like a little hot between entrances into the jumps that made it look like skipping stones over a pond… I don’t know. But I am in total agreement that placing too much emphasis on harder jumps does take something precious away from the sport.
My favourite ice skater,she may not have been the best technically but her artistry on ice was unrivalled in my opinion.She was always the crowds favourite, a beautiful skater and a beautiful woman.The queen on ice,most definitely.
She was an all round complete package at her best. She combined both the technical content that mattered and were needed at the time with artistic elements beautifully, her movements around the ice and the incorporation of the technical elements perfectly timed to the music
I love that the whistle as she takes up her start position is her father in the audience - the first time he ever saw her skate live the Olympics. And I honestly think that the reason this wasn’t perfect was because it didn’t need to be. She had already won by getting back to compete at the Olympics and her 1993 German nationals performance is testament to that-she demonstrated 4 secure triples which is what she did in ‘88 when she achieved her second Olympic gold. By the time she got here she’d already won. It didn’t matter anymore. Kat was always best under pressure and there was no pressure for her here, just pure enjoyment at enjoying the experience and having her family see her perform at the Olympics for the first time. And to those who say she took a spot away from another skater on the German team, she earned her place on the team fair and square, she wasn’t given it. She deserved to be there
She was the only reason I even watched figure skating back in those days. At least we got to enjoy over a decade of her. Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful women I've ever laid eyes on.
Giles, I am a woman and I agree 100%, she was extremely beautiful and her beauty was not only on the outside, she was beautiful inside and that let her feel the emotions she needed for her artistic performances, she skated with a heart and soul and was a genuine person and on top of it sensual, graceful and classy.
For Katarina, this was about going to an Olympics she could enjoy, she was under so much pressure by East Germany and watched so closely, and as others have said her family couldn't make it. Here, she was able to skate for herself and enjoy the experience, and of course, pay tribute to Sarajevo. She did that beautifully.
Katarina was well past her prime here and knew that she couldn't compete with the younger skaters on a technical level. At the same time, she delivered the best performance of the night and artistically blew the younger skaters out of the water.
She was past her Prime in 88 too..but then, the Judges were in her Hip pocket. They looked the other way..as she didn't challenge herself Technically like All the other Women. Oh... she's soo Glamorous.
@@PhilAlumbElizabeth Manley won the Calgary Long Program hands down, but she was not strong in the Short Program or the Compulsuries, and poor Dr. Thomas (God Bless Her) faltered, but at least she won the Bronze and added to the USA medal count. Katarina won both of her Golds fair and square. It was cruel of one of the judges in 1994 to give her a 4.8, and she finished ahead of Harding (eighth place!) who had no right to be there. If by some miracle, Witt would have won a third Gold, she would have matched Sonja Henje, still considered by many to be the greatest of all time. Katarina is possibly the most gorgeous of all the ice champions, which did not hurt. The rest of them except for Nancy Kerrigan, Michelle Kwan, Dorothy Hamill, Peggy Fleming, and Kristi Yamaguchi, are average or plain looking.
@@mc7477 ....in 88 at Calgary, KATARINA should've gotten lower marks in the Technical Program as she skated the EASIEST Triple Jump Combination of ALL her fellow Competitors. The Judges "looked the other way" BUT they were hard on LIZ who skated a clean, more challenging SHORT (Triple Salchow/double loop).
It's known and said by people that Katarina was also held up by the judges in compulsory figures, which they did so especially during the late 80s period you mentioned about her being past her peak and/or being surpassed by other women. That's the thing about compulsory figures - it either gave credit to those who had great and proper technique, control and feel on the ice, but the compulsory figures could also be a scapegoat for playing favourites or playing politics. It's a shame because figure skating is also about the figures, technique and edges.
Bullshit, first of all the dress is FANTASTIC and the second and most important, she did a lovely, hard, demanding program, maybe not in jumps but in spins, footwork...she should have get much higher marks, much!!! BRAVO Katarina, hvala ti ! :) Volimo te!
Her marks were fair and even generous. The jumping content sets the basis for the technical marks (not the spins in 1994) and she just didn’t have the technical difficulty. Top 10 ladies typically had (or tried) through triple lutz. Still love Katerina and her icon status but she could not meet the standard six years after 1988.
Such a strong athlete. I loved watching her skate! She had a strong womanly body, and still managed to out skate all those tiny, waif like skaters. I'll always remember watching this and getting chills.
Katarina never came to these Olympic Games to win a medal. She came to tell a story, and she succeeded. How many other greats would risk their reputation and come back? She is beautiful inside and out.
Agree with most of it, but Witt didn't risk her reputation. She was beyond that. Despite being well past her prime and having a somewhat dated triple jump repertoire, she was still one of the best skaters in the world. Artistically she was probably THE best skater in the world. Elaine Zayak did the same thing at US Nationals that year. She knew she couldn't compete with the likes of Tonya Harding on a technical level, but she wanted to compete again while she still could. She ended up being the crown favorite and even won the pewter medal, but did not qualify for the Olympic team. Had she qualified....she may have been on par with Witt technically....but it's hard to imagine anyone outdoing Witt artistically.
Sie hat Eislaufen wahrlich zur Kunst erhoben . Eine wunderschöne Frau , sich selber nichts mehr beweisen müssend , ein Genuss , der die Karriere von Katarina vollendet hat . Sie hatte Spaß daran und das sieht man ihr an . Danke für deine Kunst , deine Ausdruckstärke und dein hübsches Lachen !
It was very gutsy of Katarina to attempt a “triple loop” in the middle of her program. If you recall, she didn’t even try one at the Calgary Olympics where she won gold; she had one planned at those Olympics but doubled it. Yet here, she’s six years older and tries the triple loop.
She has grace and beauty. I also like that she was loyal to her long time coach. Nobody like her before or after. Tonya and Nancy could have learned a thing or two from her.
Это было настоящее фигурное катание.Катарина,молодец! У некоторых судей,судя по заниженным оценкам даже за артистизм,начисто отсутствует как совесть,так и чувство прекрасного.
my mom told me to watch this performance. and said that I should always remember that how much the smiling is worth. Whatever it takes I must accept myself and smile for the better future...
Sometimes it's about competing for love. Remember two things: 1. She was competing in front of her parents, hence probably some of her mistakes as they had never seen her compete outside Germany. Also, if you now anything about her past Olympic performances a little of each Olympics that she won is in this program. The beginning look as well as the war sequence is totally from Carmen because they are sharp and just a little angry. The softer more reflective moments are from 1984 and her Sarajevo experience. She looks wistful and confused, but instead of looking for a love like 1984, she's looking over her past. So beautiful! 2. She competed in 3 OLYMPICS and she WON TWO of them. She didn't have to, she chose to.
@@victoriagill3337 You’re welcome. I’m hoping with the new age restriction and other tidbits that this will be addressed and then we can go back to watching difficult but beautiful programs at the same time.
She wasn't even the most technically best skater in 1988, but she has always known how to draw the audience and the judges. The 5.1 is cruel. I think the judge thought they had just had enough of the comebacks, but while she didn't have the technical skills, this program is artistically great.
За 6 лет поменялась не только техника но и артистизм. Эта программа по сравнению с кармен 88 года скучная и не интересная. Катарине и так завысили оценки.
Artistry wise, her program was the winner in my book. I would’ve given it no less than a 5.7, obviously the technical merit is much lower, but nobody even to this day has such impactful and programs than Katarina’s
@@canadianbeef1958 Bronze is a bit of a stretch, she also had a triple loop at best (touched down on it), I would've put her maybe 5th or 6th since the top 5 all had a lutz and flip
Thank goodness she was there, a lovely and emotionally touching counterweight to all the pettiness, commercialism and silly drama. Katarina reminded us all of what the Games were supposed to be about. She was a real champion that day, not just another lady with medal hopes. Never mind the stupid judges. Her real score could be heard in that audience. Not surprising that so many still get misty when watching her skate this.
Такие фигуристки рождаются раз в 100 лет. Поистине неповторимая невероятная красивая женщина и неповторимая фигуристка того времени. Великая КАТАРИНА ВИТТ. БРАВО. 👍
Even though she had mistakes in this program, this was my favorite performance of hers out of her 3 olympics. It was the perfect combination of artistry and grace, she never fails to draw the audience in to watch the story she's telling through the ice. Had she had the same jumps as Oksana, I would've given her the gold hands down
It was fantastic to see both her and Elaine Zayak come back in 1994 to competitive skating. Both great champions and it was a joy to see both return in 1994 with such class and grace....
Triples. Quads. To quote Ms Witt, Skating is more than a triple jump contest. She got hosed with Where have all the flowers gone which is and was one of the most beatufiul skates EVER!!!
I always adored how she told a story with her skating. I miss this! I wish they would change things up with the scoring again. I'm not sure who said it but someone once said that the sport has been reduced to a math problem. Have the short program be all about artistry on the ice and with the music (with some jumps, spins, and footwork also needed) to ensure they skaters have true talent outside of jumping. The long program can use the same (math problem) type of scoring.
She attempts a difficult triple loop at 3:50. Something she did NOT do at the 1988 Winter Olympics where she won gold. In Calgary she did a double loop. Talk about gutsy!
I am an american and if I could ever have a chance to meet any celebrity of any kind, it would hands down be Katarina Witt. I would bet that she is the sweetest, kindest, selfless, caring person on the planet. Not to mention Beautiful and a gorgeous smile. Oh well, we all have our dreams that we know can never happen right?
Protesto anch'io per la bassa votazione tecnica,incertezze in un paio di salti d'accordo ma le serie di passi,le trottole, la luna erano sensazionali e comunque per l'artistico valeva 6.0 e non di meno.Katarina the best!!
Even with the mistakes this was a great program from one of the all time greats of the ice. It's clear she couldn't compete with the others but considering most figure skaters these days retire in their early 20's I think Katerina Witt was very brave to come back!!!
For where she was in her career, it was relatively solid. She didn't frequently compete the 3 Loop prior to this (and she didn't use it at any other competition that season). I consider it this way, Katarina was 6 years removed from her last Olympic Gold. How would Nancy Kerrigan or Oksana Baiul have fared against Michelle Kwan and Irina Slutskaya if either opted to return to competition in 2000? A 7th place finish is pretty respectable here.
Pure Arts - from the point of music and arts for me her best, besides of her cincinnati program from 1987. I know for all others it's the Carmen from 1988.
Boitano had every right to be there. Geesh his program had the required content. He just didn't pull it off at the event. He;d been beating amateurs all season. If an athlete wants to compete why not? Other sports have Olympians contending for decades. He earned the right to be there so did Witt.
To me she is the best two gold medals in a row who can say that no one but her she always skated so beautifully made you memorized no she didn't have all the jumps but it's not all about that and her two gold medals are proof of that take notes younger skaters if you want the gold medal you got to show some Artistry along with your jumps God bless stay safe everyone bye
the most poignant and heart wrenching skate i've ever seen. i remember watching this at 14 years old and it resonates so much deeper now, almost 20 years later.
she was already a legend then and still is. who woudn't have love watching her skate. i think her artistry make her a star. in my thoughts she necessarily doesn't have to win this, she was a star. one more time, thank you, katarina! also thank you 3axel1996 from your work.
Its not just her artistry..her presence, her impact to the audience, the technical ability combined with all these factors..her charisma..I have yet to see anyone be like that
I was never a fan of Katarina Witt but this long program was exceptionally beautiful and moving. I wonder if her artistic marks would've been higher if it hadn't been for that last jumping error as it was kind of jarring to the program. They still could've been a little higher either way.
I would have given her a 5.9 for artistry. Artistically it was the ONLY great program of the night and that includes Baiul, Kerrigan, Chen, Sato. Technically no higher than a 5.1 though.
Dustin Gabe 5.9? I don’t think so. She herself would not say she would deserve that! As to the OP, those affected her technical marks. Of course the distinction between technical and artistic turned out to be problematic things have been changed in future years. Her artistic works being slightly higher wouldn’t change things that much. You have to also remember that 94 was a year full of stiff competition. Kerrigan bringing her whole American sweetheart act, complete with gold outfit and entitled behavior to the gold medal. Bayul was difficult to ignore, and in the context won fair. Kerrigan never was gold Olympic material. Harding could have been, but the whole situation was all of the mess and she was sabotaged by self or by her boots or both, and everybody forgets the firecracker Surya Bonaly was ... she didn’t do her best here, but she has been one of the most underrated skaters of the time.
Kerrigan even got 6 5.9s for artistry, so yes I think Witt was easily worth a 5.9 for artistry in this event, despite her weak technical. 5.1 is about right for technical. I am not arguing she deserved a medal by any stretch so please dont take my comments out of context or off topic. 5.1/5.9 would still have not put her in the top 5, and might still have her only 7th.
Had Bonaly skated her best she would have easily won atleast bronze, but could have possibly stolen the gold if she got mainly 5.9s on the technical mark (which she would need as her artistic marks would be lower than Kerrigan and Baiul).
Maria won it at the age of 26. However, the difference was that her generation was one of the first to truly focuse on training all the triples up to the Lutz. Witt barely mastered the flip, and by the time her body was fully developed, she was no longer able to land anything harder than the loop.
Part of the marks are due to her superior skating skills/quality of skating, part of it out of respect for a 2-time Olympic Gold medalist in Figure Skating (1 of 2 who repeated). On the contrary, the Ukrainian judge gave her a slap in the face with a 4.9.
Amber- by this time women were doing several triples in their program and if memory serves me correctly, I think Katarina only landed one cleanly. But still, I thought she looked so beautiful in her red dress!
@mexicanafan I haven't re-read the rules from back then but for a Long Program to be considered a balanced program, 4 different types of spins are required, a footwork sequence, moves such as an Ina Bauer or a spiral or spread eagle are needed, no more than 3 jump combinations/sequences... these types of requirements. Missing such elements can lead to mandatory deductions off the technical merit. Sorry for the delayed response.
Mike Prevost wow you have an axe to grind against Bayul. ONCE AGAIN, Kerrigan did not have it to win Olympic gold- at best bronze level of skill and artistry, even considering the sympathy points for what happened to her. I wish you would stop trying to badmouth Bayul. She was a poor 14-year-old orphan and had a very difficult life afterwards as well as she had to transition to professional right away due to not having any money whatsoever, no even parents, and being an athlete in a country that had no infrastructure and support for her to grow further. You don’t understand figure skating. And in any case 94 was pivotal year in how much it revealed about this being a objectively judged sport versus things being influenced by outside factors such as how “elegant“ you look versus how “white trash” (which hurt Tonya Harding her whole career). Aesthetic preferences I get, but the Olympics you’re supposed to be judged on athletic aspects. In figure skating, although things have improved, it is hard to tease does a part. This had always benefited Kerrigan. Even if you are a Kerrigan fan ,Bayul is not the enemy -in fact she was a victim of the whole system as well if you look at her future life. Harding was over. Bonaly could’ve had a much brighter future as well. 94 for women’s was full of drama. Witt coming back was just an extra spice to the whole thing, but there was no way she was even going to come close to winning. Your hatred against Ukrainian judge and the poor little Ukrainian girl is personal, doesn’t have rational/objective basis
i don't think it's cruel, it was an insult against legendary skater, from the whole panel. i don't know if they even realise what kind of mistake they just did. but the whole audience certainly knows. i think katarina want to just skate and enjoy regardless who win the gold.
People seem to forget that she has been away from the amateur circuit for 6 years. Coming back at the age of 27/28 was not an easy feat for her. She never worried about placement. She just wanted to be able to compete at her first Olympic Games where she was skating for no one but herself, and her parents.
Best winter Olympics were held in the 80's and 90's. lake placid...one lane in...one lane out....top that..Thank goodness they can't over build in the ADK's. Super job Herb Brooks.
Kerrigan was NOT robbed you just angry that Baiul won. If America had a skater like Oksana we'd never hear the end of how great she was. Just because Kerrigan didn't fall doesn't mean she was the automatic gold medal. She had flaw & deductions to her skating. You people make me sick with your pettiness, bias & stupidity.
skaters today can't touch this..No she may not have jumped as high but her layback spin was priceless....skating today is very boring...bring back Scott Hamilton and his back flip....and...while your at it bring back Bob Beattie and Franz Klammer....top Olympic moment ever.
