Johnny, photographed in near darkness
that caused the camera to interpret the limited
available light as reds and golds.
Exclusive photo © David Ingogly.
A year ago tomorrow, Johnny announced his return to competitive skating, with Victor by his side and high hopes in the hearts of fans everywhere.
It was a golden moment.
He was later assigned two Grand Prix events, Cup of Russia and Trophée Eric Bompard.
He trained relentlessly throughout the spring, summer, and fall, preparing for the upcoming season with eyes focused beyond it, on the 2014 Olympics in Sochi.
And then, as he detailed in his column for the Falls Church News-Press, things unexpectedly went very much awry.
Injury forced his withdrawal from both GP events. Shortly thereafter, he announced his withdrawal from this weekend's US National Championships as well, citing the need to step back and allow himself more time to improve his skills to be truly competitive with today's crop of men's figure skaters.
I can't even imagine how difficult those decisions were for him.
His dream remains intact, as he has stated repeatedly in recent interviews: He wants to compete in Sochi.
But we all know—and no one is more keenly aware than Johnny—how tenuous that might be. (Although if anyone can rise from ashes and soar, it would be Johnny. #TeamWeirVoronov #WeBelieve)
He set out all those years ago to become an Olympic medalist. And yet, throughout his extraordinary career, with all its highs and lows and acclaim and controversy, that goal has remained elusive. Sometimes bitterly so.
But perhaps the greatest irony is this: In mention after mention, from news articles to random tweets, the words frequently used to describe him are: "Olympic gold medalist."
I don't know how he feels about that. In some ways, it's discouragingly reflective of how little attention people actually pay to the sport that he loves so deeply, and for which he has sacrificed so much.
On the other hand, it's a testament to his astonishing worldwide appeal, which radiates far beyond the narrow, pearl-clutching confines of competitive skating; also to the raw power of his ability to bring art to the ice in a way that is unparalleled, unforgettable, and uniquely his; and to his fierce example of performing and living exactly as he chooses: freely, openly, warts and all, without apology.
Whatever this next year holds for him, he has an amazing gift. Both on the ice and off, he touches people's hearts and inspires them to break boundaries, follow their dreams, believe in themselves, and most importantly, to love themselves.
And to be able to do that for people is...
Golden.
Love is the only gold.
—Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Exclusive photos © David Ingogly.
Bonus exclusive videos!! With very special thanks
to my dear friend Junko Mi, who made
these recordings in Tokyo with Johnny!
Video link.
Video link.
Video link.
And one more, tweeted by Junko.
Video link.
More bonus video!! New Johnny-centric promo
for this Sunday's episode of
Rachael vs. Guy: Celebrity Cook-Off!
Standings as of about 8 am EST today.
Discussion of why the numbers are so...
unusual this week is here.
Please keep voting for Johnny 10x per day
from every available device—
PC, phone, laptop, iPad, etc.
Your votes can help Food Network see that
they made an excellent choice by inviting him
to participate in the show!
So Johnny's auction mostly ended on Monday,
but a number of items have now been relisted,
which means if you missed out the first time around,
you're in luck: It's not too late to own a piece of Weir Gear!
Go check it out and see what treasures you could take home!
IN THE SAME WAY THAT IT NEEDS AIR.
Discussion of why the numbers are so...
unusual this week is here.
Please keep voting for Johnny 10x per day
from every available device—
PC, phone, laptop, iPad, etc.
Your votes can help Food Network see that
they made an excellent choice by inviting him
to participate in the show!
This fabulous jacket from Ignition, seen here on Johnny
as he leaves an appearance on the Wendy Williams Show,
is available again as a relisted item!
So Johnny's auction mostly ended on Monday,
but a number of items have now been relisted,
which means if you missed out the first time around,
you're in luck: It's not too late to own a piece of Weir Gear!
Go check it out and see what treasures you could take home!
NEW at the Team Weir-Voronov fan store!!
"A Mighty Dream" calendars for 2013,
Order yours today! All proceeds donated to
administered by the lovely Patti Weir.
New episode THIS SUNDAY!
January 20, 9 pm EST & PST / 8 pm CST,
Patti has posted a new message
on Johnny's Comeback Gift Fund website,
with her thoughts on 2012
and what lies ahead.
Please go read it now!
and what lies ahead.
Please go read it now!
Johnny's a regular columnist now
for the Falls Church News-Press!
His columns are published every Thursday
in the "National Commentary"
section—don't miss a single one!
His columns are published every Thursday
in the "National Commentary"
section—don't miss a single one!
Please alert absolutely everyone you've ever met
to "like" and follow the new
Because he should be on all the things.
With or without ice.
But definitely with Viacheslav.
Please vote for Johnny!!
Please be sure to check in with GetGlue
anytime you're watching the show...
or thinking about watching the show....
or wishing you were watching the show....
anytime you're watching the show...
or thinking about watching the show....
or wishing you were watching the show....
Yes, YOU can be a part of Johnny's comeback!
Please visit Johnny's Comeback Gift Fund today
and chip in as little as $1 via PayPal.
Our small gifts can help make his dream of competing
in his third Olympic Games come true!
And now you can leave a message
of support for Johnny, too!
in his third Olympic Games come true!
And now you can leave a message
of support for Johnny, too!
Please click to vote for Johnny
once a day as "Best Sportsman"!
Because he retweeted Luisa Lotka to tell us
he wants us to! (Note: With his "58.132" rating,
he is currently in 1st place in both
Figure Skating AND across all sports!)
Q and A! Go read it now!
At last: Pop Star On Ice is now available on DVD!
Order yours today from the Pop Star On Ice website!
Johnny tweeted:
"Buy my single,'Dirty Love' via iTunes.
Tell all your friends to as well. The more copies sold
takes me one step closer to making a video! №1!"
IN THE SAME WAY THAT IT NEEDS AIR.
You know what to do.
Please buy the song from Johnny's website,
or just click the "Buy" button on the player
at the top of the blog!
at the top of the blog!
Hey, Welcome to My World also is available
as an eBook! More info on Johnny's website!
copyright 2013 / Binky and the Misfit Mimes / Lynn V. Ingogly / all rights reserved
4 comments:
Those photographs are beautiful! I will support Johnny whether he goes to Sochi or not.
And I will keep voting in the fan vote for Rachel v Guy, even though I'm starting to wonder if a certain political party is running it...
"Injury forced his withdrawal from both GP events. Shortly thereafter, he announced his withdrawal from this weekend's US National Championships as well, citing the need to step back and allow himself more time to improve his skills to be truly competitive with today's crop of men's figure skaters.
...
His dream remains intact, as he has stated repeatedly in recent interviews: He wants to compete in Sochi.
But we all know—and no one is more keenly aware than Johnny—how tenuous that might be. (Although if anyone can rise from ashes and soar, it would be Johnny. #TeamWeirVoronov #WeBelieve)"
I'm sorry, I haven't followed figure skating in general very much, so I have to ask: When a competitor isn't attending to the US National Championships, how the decision-makers are going to make the decision of this competitor's participation to the (US) Olympic team? I mean, how are they going to measure this person's attainments, because I've thinked that they make this Olympic team decision based on the competitor's performance in the nationals? Or am I completely wrong? Because I don't wish nothing more than that he is able to achieve what ever he wants. He brings me and so many other people plenty of joy and happiness.:)
I guess I have still many other questions, but maybe they can wait for now.
Laura, it's next year's US Nationals 2014 that will be the deciding factor in choosing the US Olympic team. So basically if Johnny competes next season and does well, and also does well at Nationals 2014, then he would have a shot at making the Olympic team. There are other factors, so that's kind of over-simplified, but essentially that's how it works.
Thank you "Binky and the Misfit Mimes" for clarifying this!:)
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