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Shen, Zhao strike China's first gold in Vancouver
Source: Agencies |
February 16, 2010, Tuesday
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Online Edition
Online Edition
Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo of China won their elusive prize in the pairs competition at the Vancouver Olympics yesterday, coming out of retirement to add a gold medal to their two previous bronzes.
It wasn't the best skate of their career, but it was good enough for gold - and that was all that mattered.
Their score of 216.57 points was more than three points ahead of teammates Pang Qing and Tong Jian. When Shen and Zhao finished their routine, Zhao knelt to the ice, burying his face in his hands while his wife patted his back. He pumped his fist several times while she beamed, her grin so bright it could light up the entire arena.
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany dropped to the bronze medal after a flawed free skate.
It's the first time since 1960 that a Russian or Soviet couple isn't atop the Olympic podium, ending one of the longest winning streaks in sports. Even more surprisingly, the Russians are leaving empty-handed, with no medals of any color in the event.
Shen and Zhao, bronze medalists at the last two Olympic Games, retired in 2007. They got married, and lived the easy life of retirees, doing shows and appearances. But something was lacking - that gold medal.
They returned this season and despite being 31 and 36, ancient in pairs skating, dominated everywhere they skated. And the Olympic competition was no different.
Skating last, and knowing the couples who could steal their gold had made errors, they performed with the passion that has become their new trademark. The interpretation to "Adagio in G Minor" was mesmerizing, with their choreography perfectly in tune to their music.
Shen and Zhao did have one mistake, and it was a shocker. She slipped down his back during one of their lifts, a move that is normally automatic for them. The crowd gasped, a look of exasperation crossed her face.
But they recovered immediately, and finished the program with a beautiful carry lift that circled half of the ice. The audience was on its feet before their music even finished, knowing it had witnessed history. When the marks flashed, they shared a long embrace: husband and wife, now Olympic champions.
It wasn't the best skate of their career, but it was good enough for gold - and that was all that mattered.
Their score of 216.57 points was more than three points ahead of teammates Pang Qing and Tong Jian. When Shen and Zhao finished their routine, Zhao knelt to the ice, burying his face in his hands while his wife patted his back. He pumped his fist several times while she beamed, her grin so bright it could light up the entire arena.
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany dropped to the bronze medal after a flawed free skate.
It's the first time since 1960 that a Russian or Soviet couple isn't atop the Olympic podium, ending one of the longest winning streaks in sports. Even more surprisingly, the Russians are leaving empty-handed, with no medals of any color in the event.
Shen and Zhao, bronze medalists at the last two Olympic Games, retired in 2007. They got married, and lived the easy life of retirees, doing shows and appearances. But something was lacking - that gold medal.
They returned this season and despite being 31 and 36, ancient in pairs skating, dominated everywhere they skated. And the Olympic competition was no different.
Skating last, and knowing the couples who could steal their gold had made errors, they performed with the passion that has become their new trademark. The interpretation to "Adagio in G Minor" was mesmerizing, with their choreography perfectly in tune to their music.
Shen and Zhao did have one mistake, and it was a shocker. She slipped down his back during one of their lifts, a move that is normally automatic for them. The crowd gasped, a look of exasperation crossed her face.
But they recovered immediately, and finished the program with a beautiful carry lift that circled half of the ice. The audience was on its feet before their music even finished, knowing it had witnessed history. When the marks flashed, they shared a long embrace: husband and wife, now Olympic champions.
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