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BBC MUNDO RADIO
OLYMPICS
VANCOUVER, British Columbia - This is why Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo came back.
The Chinese pair finally won the Olympic gold medal that eluded them for so many years Monday night, a prize so compelling it lured them out of the cozy life of a happily retired married couple. It wasn't the best skate of their career - she tumbled onto his back during a lift - but it was good enough for gold.
That's 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 wide and bright.
"It's been so many years," Zhao said, "to finally get this gold today is so exciting."
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany, winners of the last two world titles, dropped to the bronze medal after a flawed free skate.
"I think everyone knows we're a little disappointed," Szolkowy said. "Our performance tonight was not the one we wanted to show."
The gold is the first in figure skating for China. The more shocking stat is that 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. Equally stunning, the Russians are leaving empty-handed, with no medals of any color.
"To get the figure skating gold and silver has been a hope for so long," Shen said. "Now it's been realized."
Shen and Zhao, bronze medalists at the last two Olympics, retired after winning their third world title in 2007. They got married and lived the easy life of retirees, doing shows and appearances.
They returned this season and despite being 31 (her) and 36 (him), ancient in pairs skating, dominated everywhere they competed. This was no different.
They skated with the passion that has become their new trademark, the choreography of their "Adagio in G Minor" perfectly in tune to their music. Their throw jumps were huge and flawless.
Shen and Zhao did make one mistake, and it was a shocker. She slipped down his back during one of their lifts, a move that's normally as easy as a crossover for them. The crowd gasped, and a look of exasperation crossed her face.
But they recovered quickly and finished the program with a beautiful carry lift that circled half the ice.
"So many years have been devoted to this dream," Zhao said.
For the Americans, it was their worst showing in pairs. Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig were 10th, and U.S. champions Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett were 13th.
TODAY
• What: Men's figure skating short program
• When: 7 p.m.
• TV: Channel 4
The Chinese pair finally won the Olympic gold medal that eluded them for so many years Monday night, a prize so compelling it lured them out of the cozy life of a happily retired married couple. It wasn't the best skate of their career - she tumbled onto his back during a lift - but it was good enough for gold.
That's 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 wide and bright.
"It's been so many years," Zhao said, "to finally get this gold today is so exciting."
Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany, winners of the last two world titles, dropped to the bronze medal after a flawed free skate.
"I think everyone knows we're a little disappointed," Szolkowy said. "Our performance tonight was not the one we wanted to show."
The gold is the first in figure skating for China. The more shocking stat is that 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. Equally stunning, the Russians are leaving empty-handed, with no medals of any color.
"To get the figure skating gold and silver has been a hope for so long," Shen said. "Now it's been realized."
Shen and Zhao, bronze medalists at the last two Olympics, retired after winning their third world title in 2007. They got married and lived the easy life of retirees, doing shows and appearances.
They returned this season and despite being 31 (her) and 36 (him), ancient in pairs skating, dominated everywhere they competed. This was no different.
They skated with the passion that has become their new trademark, the choreography of their "Adagio in G Minor" perfectly in tune to their music. Their throw jumps were huge and flawless.
Shen and Zhao did make one mistake, and it was a shocker. She slipped down his back during one of their lifts, a move that's normally as easy as a crossover for them. The crowd gasped, and a look of exasperation crossed her face.
But they recovered quickly and finished the program with a beautiful carry lift that circled half the ice.
"So many years have been devoted to this dream," Zhao said.
For the Americans, it was their worst showing in pairs. Amanda Evora and Mark Ladwig were 10th, and U.S. champions Caydee Denney and Jeremy Barrett were 13th.
TODAY
• What: Men's figure skating short program
• When: 7 p.m.
• TV: Channel 4
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