Willing to change the rules for a brighter future | Surya Bonaly | TEDxTorino

[@lesliepolk2039]

No one remembers those skaters who competed against her. This woman is a very talented and gifted athlete.

[@daniellescott477]

True story❤❤❤😂Love Surya⛸️⛸️

[@darklinkx8]

At the end of the day they won. Deal with it. Almost doesn't count

[@jjthoughts9920]

@@darklinkx8 Legends and Pioneers are more respected that someone who just won a medal that year. They won the battle but she won the War

[@lu9682]

Wrong. I perfectly remember Oxana Bayul, Michelle Kwan, Kristine Yamaguchi, Irina Slutskaya, Maria Butyrskaya and others. So speak for yourself and your own short memory

[@jjthoughts9920]

@@lu9682 well thankfully most people don't think like you. if we only determine peoples greateness based only off medals then we would have never known it would be possible to back flip on ice

[@nneka824]

As a young girl, I used to watch her skate and just be in AWE of her talent! NOBODY could do what she did. Her hairstyle was regal, and she had no equal. Beautiful, graceful, fearless, and powerful. That is Surya Bonaly on ice. Indisputably, she is THE G.O.A.T. and should be in all halls of fame dedicated to ice skating. Point blank periodt!

[@t.w.8174]

Amen

[@capriodyssa]

She’s like the Serena Williams of figure skating, powerful and truly remarkable.

[@mandykao1226]

Surya is currently choreographing my new program for the next year, and I love her style of skating. She is pushing me and other skaters to embrace other types of artistic skating. She is such a kind, and dedicated person! Go Surya!

[@simpletruth5927]

Lucky you!

[@KJG1979-h8r]

You should feel very honored!!!

[@soniquecat4745]

Wow... how is it working with her? Is she intense? Is she fun to be around?

[@jamesgoines7663]

Truly awesome to be in the presence of greatness. I enjoyed watching her impactful and revolutionary performance in the Olympics. It made us cheer.

[@BiztosAngol]

Can she still do the backflip?

[@pueraeternus111]

Has Surya Bonaly been inducted to the Figure Skating Hall of Fame yet? If not, she should be. She really pushed the sport's boundaries by adding acrobatics to her technical repertoire. Nowadays, we see skaters performing unconventional elements -- like cartwheels -- in their programs.

[@GGRother]

Never felt the same about the Olympics. Surya and her parents are incredibly inspiring, in my heart, Surya won the gold.

[@frankmurphy1288]

Surya is and always will be one of the classiest, kindest, and (at the same time) ferocious athletes in history.

[@flavorbyjazzy]

Surya Bonaly c’est toute ma jeunesse. Elle a été un formidable exemple pour les petites filles de la diaspora noire en France. Une véritable source d’inspiration. Quel talent, quelle présence et quelle grâce. Merci à vous de nous avoir fait rêver tout au long de votre carrière !!!!!

[@BirdiePariRicoFriends]

I agree. Someone make a MOVIE about her!

[@cmarie1759]

Agree.

[@DT-we2ye]

@@cmarie1759 a big part of her story is explaining and being the face of blatant racism in sports. I don't think she is ready for that kind of story...yet.

[@fatimavilla4649]

I think there is a Netflix documentary

[@29kells]

There was one. Lifetime movie

[@PanAfricanist]

It would be hard...who would they get to do the back flip

[@eunahhunter4936]

A terrific moving speech especially since English is not her first language. She spoke succinctly and with an important message. Lovely lady and badass skater :)

[@caro2233]

did you really think so? i felt her text was not well-structured, it goes all over the place, and she's definitely not at ease when talking to people... i'm at 6mn into her speech and she's really struggling with her english as well as overcoming her stress... (i almost can hear her heartbeat speeds up like crazy! ^^) her stress is amazing considering the performer she is... she has two distinctive personalities : - a shy and modest little girl of 40+ who's not comfortable with the limelight, - a fiery, strong-willed and competitve woman who steals the lights on the rink. ... if i were her, i wouldn't stop bragging and story-telling! ^^

[@dpcisunbreakable]

@@caro2233 Good thing this isn't about you.

[@caro2233]

​@@dpcisunbreakable... :) my previous comment is just 'analytic' , when i was watching her i really just wanted to go give her a cuddle tbh... i'm French myself, i am quite aware of how difficult it is to speak in front of people in another language...

[@elainemanley8074]

I never seen anybody do a backwards flip and land a one foot!!! Powerful skater!!! Need to make a movie about her life!!!

[@wendyleewilliams1157]

Articulate, inspiring, the greatest!❤❤❤

[@drewsdrawers]

She’s aged very well. Lovely gal.

[@tshimangadzomavhungu3563]

She will forever be the best of ice skating

[@mellio9077]

Surya is a rock star. Pure magic on ice!

[@ickslynga21]

SHE WAS ROBBED SO MANY TIMES!!! SHE WAS AND STILL REMAINS THE BEST!!!!! #1. IT'S PAINFUL TO SEE THE RACISM FROM THE JUDGE'S AND IT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL TO GIVE ANY GREAT SKATER A LOWER METAL THAN WHAT THEY DESERVE- JUST SHAMEFUL HOW THEY ROBBED HER. BRAVO TO HER & WHAT SHE ENDURED AND FOUND THE STRENGTH & WILL TO KEEP COMPETING RELENTLESSLY & SHE'S JUST A BREATH OF ORIGINALITY & GRACE & IS A ONE OF A KIND WINNER & ATHLETE!!! MORE THAN SPECIAL...TY SO MUCH ❤❤❤

[@tshimangadzomavhungu3563]

I agree , she'll always be a queen if figure skating

[@3e1rtamarraw]

.....all this with the possibility to discourage her but she persevered and has inspired many not to give up no matter what....Thanks, Mum and Dad.

[@manimal4136]

This is why we love her she didnt need a gold medal we all knew she was the best those medals mean nothing I'm a bodybuilder and in bodybuilding the worst guy on stage can win the Olympia because its political

[@brendamaggio9189]

It's not based on racism. I was a figure skater in the 1970's and knew I could never compete. I was a poor white girl that grew up skating on ice ponds in Northern NY near the Canadian border. I didn't start lessons until I was 12, then got custom boots after a couple of years so I could jump and skate better. I was one of five kids, and my dad made about $9K per year when my parents started their family. My father's income didn't grow until I left home! At the age of 17 I went off to RN school and that was when I hung up my skates. I was not a rich girl like the ones that lived in Lake Placid, NY. If you are not rich and loved by the judges, you don't stand a chance.

[@denverjohnson5640]

​@brendamaggio9189 classism may be another issue, but racism was absolutely a factor in Surya's case. It has be reported on by those who were behind the scenes that she didn't "look" like how a ice princess should look.

[@christopherwatkins9729]

A true Champion... on ice... and in reality life too... Thanks Surya...

[@DrBynoe]

You’re A Born Champion, God Bless You...

[@tonidenisevocalstudio3118]

I use to watch Surya. She was something to behold! Remember Nadia Comaneci? She did elements in Gymnastics so far above the rest, such that they changed scoring system, because she was actually beyond the scoring system of 10... which they had to give her. For Surya she NEVER got the scores or recognition she truly deserved. They said her incredible backflip was illegal. She literally did a backflip on ice and the snubbed it😳 There was really nothing she could do if that didn’t do it. I highly doubt she would have been treated this way had she not been a woman of color.

[@rayebaldwin9086]

Yeah, backflipping on one foot was awesome! Ofcourse it would have been different if she wasn't the color she is.

[@alwaysrunning234]

HONESTLY

[@nneka824]

Absolutely 💯. They would have celebrated her instead. It's criminal the hate she's received instead of accolades and flowers.

[@patmctallica3522]

What a lady! I admired her in her active carrier. Her and awesome Kati witt. Her looks, her carisma, her professionality. All the best Surya Bonaly! Greets from Austria

[@godsmacks1000]

I met Surya and her mother a few years ago. They were both extremely nice people.

[@emmystarlight]

Absolutely wonderful Lady,better than all these arrogant judges who were probably just jealous of her potential.She is an innovater for sure.Big round of applause for Ms Bonali👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@elainef2206]

Surya is a figure skating Icon. The best. Thank you Surya for the enjoyment you have given us all, your talent, grace and grit.

[@ychenaaa]

She presented the best of her talent, the true herself instead of fit herself into a frame the sport and judge defined. She is remarkable. Outstanding. Bravo, girl. You don’t need to be the judges’ expected ice skating princess. They need an open mind.

[@ericktorres4774]

🎉Dios a estado contigo desde antes de nacer gracias por tu actitud por tu ejemplo,🎉 por abrir caminos por roper las reglas por no subirte al podio gracias ❤Dios te bendiga mas.🎉

[@liasummers1824]

Grateful for her vision. She made history.

[@4thdimension760]

She was phenomenal.

[@etherealenergy9471]

I'm happy she got adopted by loving people who believed she could do more in life than the situation she was dealt. Surya helps motivate me to do more in life.

[@Lavidaesbuena66]

What a fine, wonderful woman and a great athlete. I remembered all her great performances. She is a fantastic!

[@confidentlychar80]

She is a beautiful person

[@buatkitatermenung9224]

she is a legend... wat an honoured for her to be there...

[@muniama1]

What a wholesome human being! I loved her speech. She is just fantastic; so humble and honest. A beautiful and powerful skater.

[@Justhatipp]

Omg such an amazing women!!! I can’t believe how much she has been kind of ignored because her talent surpasses a lot of people!

[@neferene1]

Standing ovation from me! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@simpletruth5927]

YES!!! What a legend

[@damntexan9121]

The True Heart of a Champion, The Soul of Courage, and the Strength of Mountains to crush the locks holding back Soaring Dreams. I Love and Adore you, your purpose and the future you've given countless people to dig deep within and boldly be You.

[@RobertoBerrocal]

Surya Bonaly you are just incredible, you change the sport forever! Nobody compares to your athleticism in the skating rink. I find it ridiculous the negative feedback you received from judges ...

[@mahdimimbalabatua9824]

She is the world's best woman skate ever, no other than! She was robbed many times because of racism and insecurity.

[@ndonuetakwi3463]

@@caseytucker07 not today . it was racism

[@lu9682]

She lost because of lack of artistry and choreography and terrible skating skills

[@jjwsvtk9987]

A Queen.

[@bamdooli]

JJWSVTK abi she was at the rink today ...so amazing

[@bamdooli]

JJWSVTK abi agreed

[@llady7884]

Thanks a lot Surya.Don't change.You're a pretty and great woman😘😘

[@lululin9870]

She is one of the strongest female ice skater ever.

[@thoughtfully]

My goodness... the way she just dominates that rink... like when I have watched some of the other well known skaters... they almost seem surprised when they stick a landing... Ms. Surya seems to expect that she will, stick every landing, every time. Wow...

[@lisagee3318]

Sportsmanship of kindness it is amazing Wherever You Are

[@ninise711]

Merci Surya pour ton parcours, si inspirant pour toutes les personnes de couleur. Je t'ai découvert il y a quelques mois. Avant ça, je ne savais pas qu'une femme noire était arrivée jusque là dans le patinage ! Ca fait tellement du bien de voir que tout est possible. Chaque vidéo où tu apparais est un souffle de motivation pour moi. Donc encore merci !

[@1trschaefer78]

She was a trailblazer in figure skating, and never received the recognition she deserved.

[@maximilianasmr7202]

Love suyra 🖤 🖤 such a legend

[@ChrizzeyChreyBeatoli]

The GREATEST!!!!!

[@andreiaalmeida4705]

Surya you always the best woman and your testimony is so amazing for us ❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏🙏😉🙏😍

[@tervenjames8305]

I swear I am obsessed with this woman 💖

[@lorebay2593]

Terven James LOL, me too! 😊

[@tervenjames8305]

@@lorebay2593 ❤ her story is incredible it should be made into a movie

[@albertojaa8551]

Diva fierce you’re a legend forever I admire you girl .... 💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐🙌🙌🙌🙌 surya you rock

[@TRADERSFRIEND]

What a great story!!!!!!!!! A life of triumph!!!!!!!!

[@Cherchezlatrish]

Always loved Surya Bonaly; one of my faves! Very different; not that soft but artistic nonetheless!!!

[@mapuanakupuna3471]

She changed the world!! TY Surya!

[@isabelleballande9153]

She is so great!! We miss her so deeply! God bless you, dear Surya! What a light in the sport! 🙏🕯

[@user-zv6yb9oo1p]

The golden medal came with a cost of diminishing the brilliance and beauty. She skated on with her pride. 💜

[@picantomanmontgomery5732]

Those judges that robbed will be ashamed of themselves by now . Everyone should be treated fairly irrespective of race .

[@spacetimecontinuum]

Thank you Surya.

[@jinhuaofficial1608]

Definition of people's champion

[@laetitiasimon9656]

💜👏Bravo Surya,femme grandement inspirante et Merveilleuse👏💜

[@77dead]

Legend

[@fahren299]

She gave more than she got from ice skating. Brava Surya.

[@Monkeygus1794]

Mujer que inspira a luchar por nuestros sueños.

[@wendybarker2]

a rebel with a cause

[@cashguyofficial1786]

she is the secrete best ice skater. everyone can do a tripal axel

[@yahannayahyahannayah8566]

Gracious and beautiful

[@PureFate]

This Lady should be on dancing on ice wow what a story xxx

[@Ari-qo6qo]

always be my role model

[@andreacampbell8691]

Power beautiful Power.

[@freetofly9752]

Inspire Yes!

[@nacanielinalewabau5211]

A movie should be made about her. Lupita Nyogo would be the ideal choice to play her😘😍🥰

[@vibesco500]

I love Lupita but she can’t do the back flip 😂

[@nappyqueen86]

We love you !!

[@yokobyeol6255]

Pressed like before it even started

[@bamdooli]

Jimi Jimi same

[@t.w.8174]

Love her!!!

[@dorothytaylor7830]

👏Surya Bonaly👏

[@attachieattach5963]

Oh my goodness

[@Olibee1916]

They should make a movie about her instead of Tonya

[@buffyslays5260]

Olivia Bolivia Okay first,leave her alone. She is living a happy life right now. You don't even know her.

[@Salviamente_Celes]

instead? No. Inclusive. Sorority!!

[@sergeikhmylov1557]

There is a great episode about Surya on Netflix series "The Losers". What an outstanding story of her life!

[@godfathercpr3]

@@sergeikhmylov1557 thanks!

[@josianemachadodeoliveira708]

Emocionante...

[@luigegustavo1231]

Como não amar Surya Bonaly?

[@ft-je3rs]

Love her

[@AngelaBaldi]

The backflip was cool, but I remember her most for her tireless attempts at the almighty quad, coming pretty close to executing it. These Russian "Quad Queens" owe everything to her.

[@yahannayahyahannayah8566]

Your NATURAL mom/pa are happy and proud of you

[@dpcisunbreakable]

Why did you have to mention that?

[@jyoungswag]

❤️

[@swatsoninchina]

Watch her documentary on NETFLIX in the series LOSERS. It is amazing.

[@cmgangel777]

The should make a movie about title The Queen of The Ice.

[@lorebay2593]

Make a movie, who will do the skating! Only one Surya.

[@genharu6580]

Hero

[@josianemachadodeoliveira708]

Das raras atletas q estao mais em forma na vida adulta q juvenil.

[@johnjohnson3709]

I have seen her do the back flip and it was amazing but I did feel it did not look graceful and she probably does it better than anyone but it still does not look graceful which is something that is considered by the judges. She is an amazing skater.

[@nappyqueen86]

Graceful 😂…. If she was white you wouldn’t say that lol

[@owlcoaching]

she is amezing

[@sophiareinbergs8730]

Miss Surya Bonaly did a wonderful speech; I am inspired. Thank Miss Bonaly. God bless . I pray that you get married and have a lot of bambinos.

[@Mynameisbemaia]

An example of how racism is still very real. If she was white, she would be a gold medalist receiving honors from national governments and being front paged on newspapers and magazines. It makes a huge impact when you have a parent that is supportive and encourages your goals.

[@cvader7]

Her career depicts the life of all people of Africans descent on this planet. Never give up! I'm glad that the Aliens are here....Let's see where the focus goes now.

[@aswathys2585]

First

[@rabeccamanjolo]

I'm so inspired by you and I don't even like that sport.

[@tominparis]

Obviously, some wounds are still fresh...

[@dpcisunbreakable]

What's that supposed to mean?

[@tominparis]

@@dpcisunbreakable damn that' s old....that means she still fells bitter abut those years

[@dpcisunbreakable]

@@tominparis Bitter about what? Using your own life experiences to talk about sportsmanship does not make one bitter, in fact it makes one stronger. They're called teachable moments.

[@theoperatripleaxel5417]

She NEVER felt doing the backflip.

[@caro2233]

i absolutely love her but she's way too stressed to make public talks... first of all, the story goes all over the place, is not well-structured... and she looks like she's in a panic!! i just want go there and give her a massive hug!! ^^

[@rayebaldwin9086]

Her first language isn't English it's French. I can say she did pretty good having challenges with speaking English.

[@caro2233]

@@rayebaldwin9086 i'm French myself. :) - and she's the same when interviewed in French. plus she's probably lived in English-speaking countries longer than i have. her english really should be much better than that, but i suppose she was 'home-schooled', and more focused on her sport. my english is better, but i went to a british university, so... (and i don't do sport... ^^) i think that contrast is amazing though : she's a strong, powerful, competitve athlete, yet she seems to still have confidence issues... as if she doesn't realise just how amazing she is...

[@rayebaldwin9086]

@@caro2233 Well, why say home schooling is part of the problem on the effect on her speaking English. Maybe there is something else going on. Many kids go to public school and their English and Comprehensive skills are still messed up. It could be something else.

[@caro2233]

@@rayebaldwin9086 ... well her level of english is not as good as it would/could be should she have gone to uni... just a fact. many reasons to it ; one being that she was an athlete and the main focus was her sport... the main thing i wanted to say that it was kind of sweet to see that such an accomplished athlete is not 'over-confident'.

[@dpcisunbreakable]

@@caro2233 Tell you what, you do her goddamned press from now on.

[@opinionatorX]

Would have been cool if she had backed flipped off of the stage when she finished talking.

[@veramickey6007]

Where’s her real family did she ever get to k ow her culture

[@julieannedous2799]

The woman who refused to get onto the podium and ripped off her silver medal at the World Championships and disgraced her home country is now lecturing the World about the importance of sportsmanship?? 🤣 Yeah...that was a first for the sport, too. The rules are there for a reason, whether she understands them or not. Figure skating is not and will never be gymnastics on ice. I don’t miss her antics. I don’t miss her skating.

[@lorebay2593]

Julieanne Dous well, why you here? you have no say over what she did, does or ever, keep pushing, next. The ice community was not ready for this ice queen, she was too much for their old idea, they need some younger judges. Greatest skater, jumper, flipper and a lady.

[@julieannedous2799]

Lore Bay Because I am entitled to my opinion as much as anyone else. That is why. History has been fair to her. The judges were fair. She is a woman, yes but a lady, no. Being a lady is an art form she never mastered. That is why she never won the international crowns. As for the future of the sport, I don’t really see much of one, especially since this pandemic so at this point, it’s really moot. I prefer to remember it as it was.

[@lorebay2593]

@@julieannedous2799 well your opinion in her case does not matter anyway, sometimes protest is required. She is a lady, an athlete and a wonderful woman, and you can't do anything about that either, so bye.

[@BahamaWynters]

@@lorebay2593 Oh, good. She's gone.

[@dpcisunbreakable]

Karen has entered the chat, ladies and gentlemen

[@dorothytaylor7830]

I pray Surya gets the DUE RESPECT she deserves while she is with us. A special figure skating event should be held here in the United States of America since she is a USA citizen. 🙏🤗⛸⛸❤🙏