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Bulgarian Ice Dancers' Triumph in Calgary: Justice Restored

by Little L Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 10:13:39 AM EST

The Bulgarian ice dancing couple Albena Denkova and Maxim Stavsiki finally got compensated for the unfair judgment that ranked them on the fifth place at the Olympic Games in Turin last month by winning the golden medal at the World Championship in Calgary. This is the biggest success ever in Bulgaria's ice skating history and one of the notable moments for our country's sport.

Denkova and Staviski have been a sports couple since 1996, and ever since they have been in the world ice skating elite, but they had never made it to the top before that. The couple can also boast silver medals from the European and third and second place in the world championships in 2003 and 2004.

Their victory makes me feel extremely proud that I am Bulgarian. In Bulgaria, there is only one ice skating rink, where skaters can practice, and the funding they get is anything but enough to cover their expenses as elite sportspersons. But they gave us all a lesson that is worth remembering: hard work and stubbornness eventually pays back. Strong will and high spirits are essential for success. Good if Bulgarian politicians could also get this message.

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Bulgarian Ice Dancers' Triumph in Calgary: Justice Restored | 17 comments (17 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
Re: Bulgarian Ice Dancers' Triumph in Calgary! (none / 0)
YES!! I saw their performance in the Olympics, and it was BY FAR the most passionate and exciting. So major congratuations to this couple...and, indeed, to Bulgaria, for this victory. Justice!!

(Hey Izzy, how about this!!)

"Once in awhile we get shown the light, in the strangest of places, if we look at it right" - Hunter/Garcia

by whataboutbob on Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 12:02:29 PM EST
Re: Bulgarian Ice Dancers' Triumph in Calgary! (none / 1)
Yes!  I saw this last night and was so happy for them!  I was thinking of you, Little L!  I'm glad you wrote this diary.  They did great!!

Maybe we can eventually make language a complete impediment to understanding. -Hobbes
by Izzy (izzy at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 03:18:06 PM EST
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Congrats! (none / 0)
Deligtful news and very much pleased to read this follow-up story after the disappointment at the Olympics. Get yourself some sparkling cider, and I hope that it may indeed boost the policy to invest a little more into ice rinks and ice skating.
by Nomad (Bjinse) on Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 12:02:39 PM EST
Re: Justice Restored (none / 1)
Thanks for your comments. Really glad to have someone share my joy :-)!

I can resist anything but temptation.- Oscar Wilde
by Little L (ljolito (at) gmail (dot) com) on Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 12:16:32 PM EST
Re: Bulgarian Ice Dancers' Triumph in Calgary (none / 0)
Great indeed. I am happy for them because as far as I know, they may soon stop playing (at least according to some journalists in Bulgaria). It would be a great disappointment if they left without being appreciated.

Something else, now Bulgarians have no reason to believe that judges are prejudice against them ..

"Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think." - BUDDHA

by JulyMorning (july_jdb(at)yahoo(dot)com) on Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 12:33:30 PM EST
Re: Bulgarian Ice Dancers' Triumph in Calgary (none / 0)
Yes, right now we have no ground to complain about unfair treatment and disrespectful attitude. Well, you know Bulgarians often tend to believe everybody is against them and is midjudging them:) Of course this is not the case with our ice skaters.

I am also happy they got appreciated, after ten years of hard work. I also heard they will be competing for one more year and that will be it.

I can resist anything but temptation.- Oscar Wilde

by Little L (ljolito (at) gmail (dot) com) on Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 12:57:58 PM EST
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Re: Bulgarian Ice Dancers' Triumph in Calgary (none / 1)
Everybody things that in ice-dancing, and it's often been true!  I did think the Bulgarians should have medaled at the Olympics, but I'm really happy to see them get the gold at worlds -- that's more presitgious in the skating world than a bronze or silver at Torino would have been.

Also, they're a beautiful looking pair -- they'll do great on the pro/exhibition circuit if they ever decide to do that.

Maybe we can eventually make language a complete impediment to understanding. -Hobbes

by Izzy (izzy at eurotrib dot com) on Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 03:21:20 PM EST
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Re: Bulgarian Ice Dancers' Triumph in Calgary (none / 1)
They're actually a couple in real life, too:).

I can resist anything but temptation.- Oscar Wilde
by Little L (ljolito (at) gmail (dot) com) on Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 03:34:56 PM EST
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Re: Bulgarian Ice Dancers' Triumph in Calgary: Jus (none / 0)
So happy about them! And really sorry I was not able to watch them.

-- Fighting my own apathy..
by Naneva (mnaneva at gmail dot com) on Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 03:22:54 PM EST
Re: Bulgarian Ice Dancers' Triumph in Calgary: Jus (none / 1)
I hope you are not mad for me being virtually absent at the pre-preparatory-session last-minute arrangement meeting: I was watching these performances on TV at the canteen. And I was the one who brought the good news to you, remember? :P

A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government -- Edward Abbey
by serik berik (serik[dot]berik on Gmail) on Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 05:39:52 PM EST
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Re: Bulgarian Ice Dancers' Triumph in Calgary: Jus (4.00 / 2)
Ah, serik berik! After this, surely not mad. :P And the people in your group seemed to have a lot of fun. :)

Coming tonight?

-- Fighting my own apathy..

by Naneva (mnaneva at gmail dot com) on Sun Mar 26th, 2006 at 06:23:12 AM EST
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Re: Bulgarian Ice Dancers' Triumph in Calgary (4.00 / 3)
Congratz to Albena & Maxim! They finally got what they deserved for so long. And they both looked gorgeous as usual.

by Navaros (pshipkov@@gmail.com) on Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 04:46:27 PM EST
Oops (none / 0)
Almost forgot to mention that the photo is courtesy of Marie Michallet.
by Navaros (pshipkov@@gmail.com) on Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 04:47:33 PM EST
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Re: Oops (none / 0)
Nice picture, makes a stronger impression than words only. Thanks:)!

I can resist anything but temptation.- Oscar Wilde
by Little L (ljolito (at) gmail (dot) com) on Sat Mar 25th, 2006 at 05:29:16 PM EST
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Re: Bulgarian Ice Dancers (none / 0)
I should say that while Albena Denkova and Maxim Staviiski were skating, I was left breathless... They did a great job and I was really proud! But still I cannot close my eyes and ignore several truths. Sadly enough, Albeana Denkova and Maxim Staviiski practise with two Russian coaches. Thus, it is not Bulgarians who have trained and led them to the first place and the golden medals at the World Championship. Moreover, I think that we should not forget the fact that Maxim is a half Russian. I am certainly not trying to underestimate their great success and the efforts they have put. Furthermore, as Little L has mentioned, their achievement is unprecedented and it brought so much joy to the Bulgarians. I just wonder when we will have an entirely Bulgarian couple, trained by Bulgarian coaches. When will we be able to raise our heads proudly and say "We won, the two Bulgarians won". Do not take me wrong, I do not have anything against Maxim or the two Russian coaches. On the contrary, I think they have done a great job, really great. I just have this dream that Bulgaria will prove once and for all that there are really talented people here. And this does not apply only to sports. I do not say that it is bad that Russians train Bulgarian ice skaters. This phenomenon is observed everywhere. Actually, most of the American ice skaters are trained by Russians. Rather, I claim that sports in Bulgaria should be encouraged and supported by the government. Besides, as you have probably heard, Albena and Maxim said they would retire and start thinking about a family and children. So, this was their last championship and all our hopes for future medals will die with them??? But should it be so? I do not think so. That is why, I suggest that the Bulgarian government invests time and money in our sports, so that we can all enjoy many breathtaking moment!
by hitchhiker on Mon Mar 27th, 2006 at 03:43:29 PM EST
Re: Bulgarian Ice Dancers (none / 0)
Sure, good financing is essential.

I personally don't have anything against the couple being trained by Russian and Staviski being half-Russian. You cannot expect it to be otherwise as we do not have traditions in this sport like we have, say, in gymnastics or wrestling. And a golden medal (even with a little help from the Russians) IS a good start, isn't it;)?

I can resist anything but temptation.- Oscar Wilde

by Little L (ljolito (at) gmail (dot) com) on Mon Mar 27th, 2006 at 05:36:28 PM EST
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Re: Bulgarian Ice Dancers (none / 0)
Certainly, it is:))) Actually, it is more than a good start! I hope that these golden medals will have a positive effect on our other ice skaters. I hope that they will gain confidence and what is more - they will be motivated to achieve even greater success.
by hitchhiker on Tue Mar 28th, 2006 at 04:38:55 AM EST
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Bulgarian Ice Dancers' Triumph in Calgary: Justice Restored | 17 comments (17 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)


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