In-Box: Letters to the Editor - New York Times

To the Sports Editor:

Re “Valuing Consistency Over the Big Trick,” Feb. 20: The Olympian Yevgeny Plushenko was quoted saying: “Now it’s not figure skating. Now it’s dancing.” In fact, it hasn’t been figure skating for more than 20 years.

The competition used to include, in addition to the short and long programs, a series of compulsory school figures, which were carefully measured and scored.

There is no question that figure skating is now a misnomer. The question is whether the event should be jump skating, as Plushenko would no doubt prefer, or a broader performance skating, as I think most of us would prefer. Peter Heiman

Bronx, N.Y.

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To the Sports Editor:

Yevgeny Plushenko has mastered the quad jump. The more important element he has not mastered is that of a good sport. Three Olympic medals, and Plushenko has yet to learn one of the most important characteristics of a true athlete on a world stage: class, and respect for others. Liz Czajkowski

Arlington Heights, Ill.

Genuine Feelings

To the Sports Editor:

Re “After Skating, a Unique Olympic Event, Crying,” Feb. 22: For cryin’ out loud, NYTimes! For shame, Coach Carroll!

What would you have figure skaters do after their all-out physically taxing, adrenaline-powered performances? Lie on ice or bench, kicking their skates in the air? Make raucous noises well known to the slopes? Roar, shout, shriek, scream — “Woo, woo, woo!”? Cheer for themselves? Figure skaters could also alternate glowering and grinning as they wait for marks. With a stupendous effort comes an emotional component, and masking one’s feelings is not the name of the game. Beth Choi

Richmond Heights, Ohio

Hooligans on Ice

To the Sports Editor:

Re “Momentum of Hit on Jagr Propels Russia to Victory.” Feb. 22: Olympic hockey is supposed to be a showcase of international sportsmanship, but unfortunately, what we witnessed toward the end of the Russia-Czech Republic game came close to being hooliganism on ice.

Alex Ovechkin explained why he flattened Jaromir Jagr, saying: “I know it was a strong hit, but what can I do? It is the Olympics.”

A man with this kind of attitude should have been barred by his own people from participation in the Olympics. Paul Saman

Asheville, N.C.

McGwire’s Apologist

To the Sports Editor:

“Loyal La Russa: Cardinals’ Manager Remains McGwire’s Biggest Booster” (Feb. 21) failed to address Tony La Russa’s longstanding self-righteousness, arrogance and more recent role as an apologist for Mark McGwire.

In the late 1980s, La Russa penciled the freakishly enlarged Bash Brothers (McGwire and Jose Canseco) into his Athletics lineup, and he continues to deny that he had any knowledge of steroids in his locker room. This is the same Tony La Russa who freely orders his pitchers to throw at the opposition, then feigns outrage and indignation when his hitters are knocked down.

Despite being a very good major league manager, La Russa has always behaved as if he is to be held to a different standard. Barry Goldman-Hall

San Jose, Calif.

Now Batting 13th. ...

To the Sports Editor:

Re “Bar Mitzvah Conflict Is Resolved for Bout,” Feb. 20: Just when it seemed that ostentatious, money-flaunting bar and bat mitzvahs might be scaled down by the recession, along comes a celebration at Yankee Stadium.

A bar or bat mitzvah is the beginning of being a responsible Jewish adult, a rite of passage. Instead of demonstrating responsible behavior, mastery of learning and performance of good deeds, a bar or bat mitzvah theme party sends the wrong message to youth and to the world about Judaism and values. Donald Slonim

Syosset, N.Y.

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