For Canadian skater Jessica Dubé, Shen and Zhao aren't rivals. They are people she aspires to become. "We're so young," the 22-year-old, who finished sixth, told me. "When we see them competing and being amazing like they are, it gives us hope. We know we have a lot more in front of us, we'll take that one as an experience and learn from it."
Anabelle Langlois, also Canadian and ninth-placed, agreed with Dubé. "It is amazing what they do, but it doesn't amaze me that they can do it," said Langlois "They are outstanding skaters and incredible athletes. If anybody could do it, then I'd have full faith in them. I love watching them and I'm glad we all have a chance to see them skating still."
American skater Mark Ladwig, who crept into the top 10 alongside Amanda Evora. "People of any age can do it as long as they've got the skills, and Shen and Zhao were already great skaters."They didn't retire and sit in Tahiti, they were out on the circuit doing shows and performing, and that's ice skating. It's not just about doing tricks. We've really been trying to elevate and meet Shen and Zhao." So has everybody else. Ever since they returned from their two-year absence, the duo have cut a merciless streak as they followed their gold-medal mission. But Ladwig's point that skating is "not just tricks" is instructive. "They are my inspiration," concluded 25-year-old American rival Evora. "In the US Nationals, I may be one of the older ladies, but to see Shen and Zhao, I know I'm capable of going on. Here they are after all these years. Now I know what it means to be an Olympian: it's a lifetime of sacrifice, a lifetime of hard work."
British pair Stacey Kemp and David King，They left Britain knowing the Olympics was a big deal and that the top 10 was probably beyond their grasp. But they didn't realise quite what a berth alongside the likes of Shen and Zhao, with all the Chinese pair represent, meant until they got here. "The Chinese pair came back just for this one event, the rest they did as a preparation. We were training with them all week and we got to know them quite well. They're as happy to be here as we are and they're just nice people. "They are genuine people and they put in the work，and they deserve this. It shows us we could do three more Olympics now. If we get a medal out of one of them, it'd be a dream."
也祝愿DD，EL，LH，KK再上一层楼！ |
显身卡
楼主