Ladies Medals Ceremony 1994 World Figure Skating Championships

[@forrestlloyd1424]

Surya was a powerful skater and time after time the judging panel treated her unfairly because she wasn't the typical "ice princess". I remember being a young child watching her land an illegal backflip on one foot at the 98 Olympics and thinking she was the most impressive athlete I'd ever seen. At this point she simply had enough of the unfair subjective judging of the sport. Shame on the reporters at the end, they're the ones being disgraceful.

[@jbuda4263]

I agree. Usually those Canadian reporters aren’t pushy so I was so shocked that Paul Martini was pushing her for information. I am simply embarrassed.

[@mrtrek64]

Gwaaa gwaaaa gwaaaa..Shame on HER for her despicable behavior and believing the rules don't apply to her because of ....whatever.

[@christinakwiatt7603]

@@mrtrek64 the judges decided the rules of fairness and equality didn't apply to her. im tired of all the antiquated ideals of figure skating and im especially tired of those who wish to continue perpetuating them. gwaaa gwaaaa gwaaaa

[@AmusedChild]

@@christinakwiatt7603 Oh, please. Surya was being childish and so are you. Second in the world is a great achievement. Professional competition is the place to break the rules.

[@divineson1681]

Basically, she was too black for them. Period!

[@lanadsasmrtingleexperiments]

Surya was right to protest. F those judges. She was discriminated against left and right by both the Olympic and World Championship judges.

[@txgirlaustin8432]

I agree. I remember watching this as a teenager. My whole family also believed that Surya was robbed!! She was the best for sure!! I think one of the reason could’ve been racism.

[@Kreatures100]

Surya apologized the next day to the audience and to the Japanese hosts at the exhibitions and got a huge ovation. I heard the federation threatened to ban her from all future events. However She seems happy and free of her freaky mother ( one of her coaches , her father was not) today and lives and coaches in The states. I thought it was Vegas.

[@theowilliams360]

It is indeed Vegas. Bonaly appeared alongside Baiul at Las Vegas city hall for an anti-war demonstration back in 2022.

[@sportstalk23]

I heard the American coverage of this and now the Canadian version and these people all stay blaming Surya's mother for everything

[@alexsdb9712]

Yes, Surya's mother was somewhat a control freak, but it was also proven that the protest was Surya's desicion. You could see her mother had no idea and was surprised.

[@patwhit8414]

Bittersweet, but silver medal is not too be taken lightly. That is very good.

[@Holly5794]

She is fantastic and her routine was wonderful but Yaku's was better.

[@renatasampaio1057]

People are calling her childish. Geez! How old you think she was at that time?!

[@risshishafra7826]

2 great skaters in 1 championship , Yuka was amazing and graceful but Surya brought something different & powerful that we rarely see in women's skating. Call the police coz someone got robbed.

[@renategerman8493]

Good for her! She was Not a sore loser, she should have gotten the gold. We all know why she didn't.

[@michaelvaughn2091]

Because she was not the best skater.

[@francezziegler839]

@@michaelvaughn2091 she was, she wasn't the perfect winner

[@SuperMerlot]

Nah, her performance wasn't gold. There are other skaters who never won gold yet she is the only one whining about race and displaying bad attitude

[@rmeekgot1life2live]

SuperMerlot id love to see you do a black flip tho.

[@sonyaballo4282]

She should have won in 1993, this skate was more close 5-4 split and it's understandable but she was robbed, absolutely 100 percent robbed in 1993

[@misterpinsky9535]

Regardless of her medals, or lack thereof, Surya Bonaly is a household name that spans generations. Less can be said of the majority of her rivals. She was masterfully ahead of her time and despite popular belief, she pushed the boundaries and levels of many of todays great champions. She was and remains a phenomenal athlete and artist.

[@WilfredJoseph]

Thank you for recognizing this. It is hard if you're black to protest. You're considered ungrateful and rude. How else do you say this is unfair, when clearly in the subjective judging of this sport. Black people have to be exceptional and when we are we are considered cocky, rude, ungrateful, and disrespectful.

[@brian5619]

Yuna when she got robbed in 2014 could still handle it with such maturity

[@sigha443]

Well for me, what Surya did was a plain action of disagreeing on the result, her own way of protest. I dont see immaturity in there

[@rosieasmrwhispererzephier7021]

Surya could of at least be happy that she won the Silver Medal instead of getting angry upset sulking pouting causing drama in front of everybody and being dramatic if I was Surya I would be happy for winning the Silver Medal.

[@MaryyPina]

Fuck off would you accept the racist against you!

[@alexsdb9712]

This was the year Surya clearly did not win. Too many errors in her free skate. But the big injustice was the year before at World's 1993 when Oksana Baiul was given gold over Surya. Surya Bonaly was at a different level than Oksana that night, not just in the technical ability, but even the whole package. Oksana was good but junior-good, and there was no jump combination from her in the free skate, which is a requirement. If anything, Lu Chen was also robbed and should have been ranked above Oksana as well.

[@L1623VP]

They had to rob Surya of the gold in 1993 so the communist bloc judges could set Oksana up as the World Champion and "favorite" to win gold going into the Lilihammeer Olympics in 1994, so she could...once again...steal the gold from Nancy Kerrigan there, too. Like her or not, Kerrigan was robbed by another junior-style performance from Oksana in the LP that was full of two-foot landings and no jump combination until Oksana tacked on a double toe to a jump in the final seconds of her program. Kerrigan was flawless and far more sophisticated. I guess that's why many say the 1994 Olympics is where they got all the figure skating medals wrong.

[@Kaboomboo]

@@L1623VP Kerrigan was not robbed in 1994. She was severely lacking in the artistic department. She was a good technical skater, but Oksana was better artistically. And Artistic merit goes above technicality.

[@L1623VP]

@@Kaboomboo Oh, not at all. Baiul was better artistically by hopping around the rink in a pink feathery dress to a Broadway medley like a contestant in one of those child beauty pageants? Absolutely not. Kerrigan was the definition of sophistication that would preface the coming styles of Michelle Kwan and Kim Yuna. Baiul was "cutesty". She didn't give an adult performance. That LP could easily have been performed on the junior circuit. The truth is Ukraine was heavily involved in cheating scandals throughout the 90's. Their judges were implicated and sanctioned in the famous toe-tapping cheating scheme and the 1998 Olympic ice dance competition. At the height of their bloc judging scams, both Paul Wylie and Nancy Kerrigan were robbed of Olympic gold medals, each losing (not coincidentally) to Ukrainians. The Ukrainian Skating Federation, along with Russia and the Czech Republic were corrupt to the core through the 90's and often got "help" from Italy and France to throw competitions.

[@nipaipo36100]

totally agree

[@gloria7876]

Oksana Baiul won because of the way she moved across the ice. She got points for her dance moves.

[@sonyaballo4282]

So glad she told them how she felt. :)

[@lauravergot9995]

To all those who are blaming racism for this situation... Do you realize who the winner was? A Japanese lady=Asian.... Or do you want to play at who has it worse between people of Asian and African heritage? One of my favourite skaters has always been Midori Ito, she was in a similar situation. Like Surya she was a great athlete but did not fit the princess mold so she constantly got lower scores. She managed to win only one gold at worlds but she always persevered. I do not remember her race ever being called on as a reason for her situation. Or are you saying that racism happens only to black people? And by the way: racism is in all communities no matter their color. In light of the covid situation, there is ample proof that no one is immune, no one.

[@alexsdb9712]

Exactly. These modern liberals and politically correct and identity politics people are clueless. Snowflake is their term. They are the ones causing division today for not being realistic and practical. These are the people who are thinking the more weight of discrimination goes the darker the skin is. That is being the real racist.

[@theresabollman8061]

Worst case of poor sportsman behavior I have ever seen. That Gold Winner and The Bronze winner deserved to have their moment and spotlight. That was so selfish!

[@christinakwiatt7603]

Bonaly deserved many moments and spotlights that she never got because the judges deprived her of them due to her skin color

[@theresabollman8061]

@@christinakwiatt7603 Sorry, I can't agree. Talk to some of the other LADIES & GENTLEMEN of skating who wanted to test the long established standards & firm rules in professional & Olympic Skating. Elvis Stoyko for one (my fave). He was man enough to take it on the chin when the marks reflected his going rogue. But he was hoping to change the rules & willing to pay the price. Bonaly had some super athletic abilities in skating but she seriously lacked others. She expected Figuring Skating as we knew it to change for her plusses & minuses. Then behaved horribly when that failed. You can't have it both ways. PS..please dont call me racist. My family is a coat of many colors & all are equally loved.

[@kyle3121]

Such a bold and powerful move. Arguably the best and most influential female skater to this day, you don't see people like Surya anymore

[@gloria7876]

Thank goodness

[@50781975]

ISU would pay for a good controversy like this today. It would mean headlines

[@isthisrealyetnessa5124]

Of course she doesn't understand. I can't stand reporters.

[@Jasmine-kp8vb]

THIS ISN’T A RACE ISSUE. SHE HAD NO ARTISTRY AND BROKE THE RULES. Yuka is an amazing figure skater and definitely deserved gold. Protesting was a childish move and incredibly rude to Yuka.

[@sweetmonkey2440]

This breaks my heart. We all know she didn't get gold because of her skin color. I'll never know what it's like to get treated unfairly because I'm light skinned with colored eyes, but I sympathize for all the women of color who have to work harder to prove themselves to others.

[@alexsdb9712]

Tai Babilonia won gold in pairs in 1979. Debi Thomas won gold in ladies singles 1986.

[@Jasmine-kp8vb]

She didn’t lose because of race. She broke the rules and had no artistry. Doing more jumps and backflips doesn’t make her a better figure skater.

[@mrtrek64]

She lost because of breaking the rules, not race. Gwaaaaa Gwaaaaaa Gwaaaaaa

[@AmusedChild]

No, we don't "know" that. How did other black skaters win gold?

[@riteshluitel1705]

Skin colour?? She lost to an Asian!! Fair or unfair is another matter but it certainly was not about race!

She was Flawless and did deserve the gold but look who are the judges Not one BLACK JUDGESo what that tell everybody. IS THIS FOR REAL.

Yes she was robbed big time.

[@skycallender7541]

Simply because she is a dark person. Judges racist. They know they are unfair. They can't take away her talent. She is a great skater.

[@jnnkmm]

I saw Surya's performance. It was powerful but she made really obvious mistake... rip. Also, I think it was childish for her to not accept it like a queen. Yuna kim was robbed in sochi but accepted her silver like a queen...

[@elisamondragon2849]

Honestly, Surya deserved the gold medal!

[@sigha443]

I bet she did

[@berengerecollet7620]

Honnêtement Surya a eu entièrement raison de ne pas monter sur le podium car c’est tout simplement du vol elle méritait largement la médaille d’or

[@nipaipo36100]

non desole. la seule annee ou elle meritait de gagner c etait 1993. d ailleurs lu chen aurait aussi du etre devant baiul. en 1994 sato meritait le titre. le programme de surya n etait pas clean et son artistique laissait à désirer avec des pirouettes lentes et mal finies. et en 1995 je l aurais mise 3eme derriere kwan et.chen. son comportement a cette competition etait inadmissible.

[@zisssssou]

These 2 canadian journalists at the end are so wrong, Bonaly was victim of injustice, racism and préjugés during all her ice skating career. When you're robbed a number of times, you accept and cry in your locker room, and finally you crack in public.

[@Kaboomboo]

No she wasn't. She lost this medal fair and square.

[@travisstrong5389]

Yuka Sato was the victim of anti Asian racism. She barely won on a 5-4 split despite FAR outskating Surya. Surya didn't even do her strength (jumps) well this night, totally botching atleast 2 jumps, and doing less triples than Sato. Due to the anti Asian racism she still nearly won.

[@cookiekart]

Paul martini is dreamy

[@yahannayahyahannayah8566]

Surya back flip queen and power house machine

All ah DEM judges was in cohute

[@maurosalina6675]

Omg those reporter as killing ver after the championships, i think the revolutionary girl deserved gold

[@WilfredJoseph]

In light of what we now know, the racism of the judges and the announcers is so apparent.

[@travisstrong5389]

You mean racist in that they were obviously anti Asian to nearly award Surya's far worse skate the gold over Sato's far superior skate only since Sato was Asian. If that is what you meant I fully agree. Chen was also brutally undermarked for years, and even Shen & Zhao for awhile due to being Asian. And Ito the biggest trailblazer in the history of the sport undermarked for years. It is a disgrace Sato being Asian nearly robbed her of the gold to Bonaly's far inferior skate due to anti Asian racism, but thank goodness it didn't.

[@eyezbaby1]

Judges wanted ICE Princess ...

[@karenmarieh.j.3842]

From what the NPR special on this story, that is true. It was power verses looking like a stepford princess. Oksana was a delicate flower that they claimed glided like a delicate teacup. This is why if these judges were at Wimbledon Serena Williams could win point after point ... but because she was returning serves like a man, she would lose points because she was not their ideal "image" of what a female tennis player should look like.

[@alexsdb9712]

@@karenmarieh.j.3842 It doesn't help that the behaviour is also nasty and has a reputation. This is a no-no in tennis, which is not just a sport, but a culture and tradition.

[@karenmarieh.j.3842]

@@alexsdb9712 I think that your view of sports is extremely antiquated. In tennis and other sports we have watched and supported male athletes display very agressive on the field of play attitudes. Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Baseball, Football and various other sports. Why are throwing or showing a red card when we are talking about female athletes? Isn't that a bit anti-women to hold women to a different level of decorum than their male counterparts? The days you speak of are hopefully fading into the past for our girls and the ones that will follow them.

[@alexsdb9712]

@@karenmarieh.j.3842 likewise.

[@nipaipo36100]

i was very sad for surya but honestly she did not deserve to win. however i think the year she should have wun by far was 1993.

[@massielpimentel6134]

She did the right thing! You go girl!

[@gloria7876]

Surya Bonaly would have been fined, disqualified or suspended for her actions

[@massielpimentel6134]

@@gloria7876 so? She stood up for herself!

[@gloria7876]

@@massielpimentel6134 Surya Bonaly would have been fined, disqualified, or suspended in any other sport. I just heard that the ISU was getting ready to expel her if she didn’t apologize.. She did but things were never the same.

[@massielpimentel6134]

@@gloria7876 she did nothing wrong!

[@gloria7876]

@@massielpimentel6134 she did plenty! Bonaly would have been fined, expelled, or suspended in any other sport.

[@yahannayahyahannayah8566]

Surya is so talented we should vote for her to be president of the world.

[@yahannayahyahannayah8566]

No one person can beat SURYA suryra surya surya surya. You see how many flowers they gave her bc they knew they were not gonna pick her for 1st. Dazzle fuckin flowers her way no bitch give her the gold

[@gloria7876]

There was nothing for Bonaly to protest. Surya Bonaly did not skate a clean program. Sato sailed around the ice while Bonaly pumped and posed. The critics told Surya that she needs to work on stroking. You don’t need a coach for that.

[@stanley052380]

Until to this day the judges still dont know the rules

[@brian5619]

stanley052380 even today!

[@alexsdb9712]

They know the rules, they just don't follow them all the time.

[@504Diva]

Those journalist were disgusting.

[@koskeymartinez2885]

504Diva thank you I hate a lot of white people not all I know not all of them are like that so let me not be petty but you know what I mean

[@blueclover9918]

@@koskeymartinez2885 what you mean is disgusting. What is wrong with you?

[@koskeymartinez2885]

Court Chan aw you mad bitch

[@elenamaftei1009]

But that flip on the back was not done with straightened legs and she was not stable on that ...

[@christinalamboy7588]

because do not crying from your friend Christina

[@yanildamassielmessinacabre5298]

Wuaooo que injustos

[@toffeecafe4]

Totally wrong behavior. Should have got no medal.

[@eyezbaby1]

As she was robbed by an American Judge who believe that she is manly . In the nutshell she is a man!! Said another Racist former ice princess like Sandra Bezic!!!

[@nanssuu9126]

surya really ruined this, this is the second time where a person from a non western country won a medal

[@rickram1961]

I'm more than certain that Surya's spiteful mother was the one that was behind this ridiculous fiasco!

[@crimsontidegal6332]

They judged her color not her talent. Ice skating is all about who you are not who has the best talent.

[@period8705]

You people are always playing the victim card.

[@crimsontidegal6332]

Who is "you people"

[@period8705]

@@crimsontidegal6332 you people is you people. "Black folks"

[@belleepoque2544]

@@crimsontidegal6332 you

[@andyalmaraz2754]

Surya should be the first place, obviesly

[@yahannayahyahannayah8566]

If surya never wins on the skates again it's because she ALREADY has WON. I WILL VOTE FOR ONLY S U R Y A FOR PRESIDENT

[@Kraliezec]

Uncouth behaviour. Childish tantrum. The sore loser wanted to spoil it for the other skaters.

[@Iwatchstuff1000]

Surya should have had her medal striped, disgusting & arrogant behaviour. She landed some ok jumps that was is, could barley skate

[@kimberlylewis1092]

Surya was always such a bad sport. Bad attitude. I was glad when she finally left the sport

[@emilyanthony7138]

Surya is a trouble maker.

[@timothychow177]

I think the medal ceremony was too much for the young French lady!?

An you go tell me that was not a racial Shit going down.

[@georgekamba6965]

Surya, my ebony sister, don't bother with this kind of treatment. I give you the gold medal.

An you go tell me that was not a racial Shit going down.