EDITORIAL: Olympic figure skating

Daisuke Takahashi won the bronze medal at the Vancouver Olympics to become the first Japanese man to win a medal in figure skating.

His free program, skating to the theme song from Federico Fellini's film "La Strada," was a vivid portrayal of human emotions--happiness, anger, sadness and joy. His powerful steps, which symbolized his exquisite technique and richness of expression, enchanted the audience.

His medal was the third for Japan, after speedskaters Keiichiro Nagashima and Joji Kato won silver and bronze in the men's 500 meters.

In 2008, Takahashi severely injured his right knee. It could have ended his career. But after surgery and grueling physical therapy, he returned to the rink. This experience left him tougher mentally and physically and ended accusations that he was an "ace of glass," who broke under pressure and could not win international competitions.

Figure skating has long been dominated by Europe and the United States. However, there has been an influx of Asian skaters in recent years, and Japan sent the maximum number of singles skaters to these games, three each for the women and the men.

Even after breaking a shoelace, Nobunari Oda completed his routine and finished seventh. Takahiko Kozuka was the sole Japanese skater to land a quadruple jump, and came in eighth. They performed marvelously.

The country-by-country medal totals are interesting, but if you look, you will see that there are many "flowers" that transcend national borders and are now in bloom on the rinks of Vancouver.

Yuko Kawaguchi, who skated for Russia in the pairs figure skating, was born in Aichi Prefecture. She emigrated to Russia to boost her skating career, and became a Russian citizen. She failed to medal, but both Russian and Japanese fans were cheering for her.

Japan's ice dance pair is Cathy and Chris Reed, siblings with an American father and a Japanese mother. Their younger sister Allison Reed will also compete in ice dancing for the Republic of Georgia. She acquired her partner's nationality. Mirai Nagasu, whose parents are Japanese, will skate in the women's singles for the United States.

National borders seem to have melted away around the rink as well.

Japan's Mao Asada is coached by Russia's Tatiana Tarasova. Oda, Miki Ando and other Japanese skaters are both coached by former Belarus Olympian Nikolai Morozov.

In contrast, Takahashi was supported by a mainly Japanese team. Utako Nagamitsu, his mentor since junior high, was in charge. His short program was choreographed by Japan's former ice dance national champion, Kenji Miyamoto. Takeshi Honda, who placed fourth at the 2002 Salt Lake games, helped with his jumps. Japan now has a rich reservoir of talent not only in athletes but also in coaches.

There are those who work overseas. Yuka Sato, a former Olympian and world champion skater, coached U.S. skater Jeremy Abbott who finished ninth in Vancouver.

The highly anticipated women's figure skating competition will take place in the final days of the games. Let's hope the Japanese athletes will rise to the occasion. At the same time, let's enjoy the blooming flowers of the sport as people go beyond borders.

--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 20