So Good, Johnny Weir

When I was watching the Olympics back in February, I remember seeing Johnny Weir and thinking how he seemed like a talked-about contender at the 2006 Olympics in Torino, and wondered why I hadn't heard too much about him before or during this Olympic season. When I saw him skate, I thought he was incredible, and way underscored. He skates in the way I remember skating before the intense and somewhat boring focus on jumps, jumps, and more jumps---when just watching skaters move on the ice was awe-inspiring and peaceful, like watching a gliding ballet. I understand the judges have complicated scoring systems that award points for every element in a program, but it seemed fairly obvious to the naked eye that Johnny Weir skated better than his scores showed, even allowing for programs that included quadruple jumps and more difficult transitions. He also makes me feel that since figure skating has traveled so far away from "figures," there should be a new category of skating that involves the more traditional and beautiful artistry of skating rather than the circus-trick jumping.

After watching the Olympic skating, I saw that Sundance aired a show, Be Good Johnny Weir, all about Johnny and his skating season in hopeful preparation for the Olympics. I finally got a chance to watch the show, and it's yet another pleasure from Johnny Weir. I don't know where his skating career is going in the future, or what else he may have planned (I hear fashion is a possibility, and he seems to have made a good start designing his own costumes), but watching him train and prepare, even with very little footage of skating competitions, is more entertaining than I'd have expected. Johnny Weir is like your funniest friend, a hyper but sweet son and nephew, the most stylish member of your social circle, strong and fragile, admirable and occasionally even pitiable all at once. He's hilarious, genuine, cheeky, and fun. Somehow what should be a boring life of practice and good health is brought to a level of sparkling display by Johnny's earnestness and truly radiant personality. He successfully makes it entertainment to watch him vacuum and drive. His show really is like being with an outrageously fun friend---you like to go grocery shopping or even to the DMV with that friend, because just hanging out is fun. Such is "hanging out" with Johnny Weir. I wish there were more of the show to be had, but I don't know if it's the kind of thing that could develop into a long-running series, or if Sundance even does that.

After watching Johnny Weir's show and re-examining some performances like the Vancouver Olympics, I also easily saw the unfair bias against Johnny in the skating world. I wouldn't want to diminish other skaters who obviously do their fair share of training and have incredible talent. But commentators and writers feel just fine doing that for Johnny Weir. There is a clear tone toward Johnny that places him as a more personality, less athlete; a little pleasing pet rather than a true contender; and it's unfair. Having people support and believe in you is, I imagine, a great help when one is a world-class athlete. It's cruel to withdraw that support from a worthy competitor because someone has decided his manner or public presentation isn't as proper or traditional as others. More personality does not mean less athlete. A fun demeanor does not mean you're not a true competitor. Johnny Weir deserves more support than he has gotten from the skating world. Most of the commentators devaluing him were skaters themselves, so I can only imagine that they are jealous that Johnny doesn't feel the need to conform to unwritten rules of behavior. Too bad for them he has more strength of self than they do.

For some people, Olympic medalists is all they'll be*, and that's definitely enough to satisfy, please, and impress. But Johnny Weir is more than that, and I have no doubt he will continue to be more. There are people who win Olympic gold, then there are people who are generally golden. It's unfortunate that as of yet, Johnny Weir hasn't been awarded an Olympic medal. In my opinion, his performance this year should have won him the bronze. But I think he's luckier to be himself, and amazing just as he is.

* Some others, like me, will be much, much, much less.