Nick Verreos Take on Olympic Figure Skating Costumes On American Public Radio's "The Takeaway"

Figure Skating Costume Don'ts: Russian Ice Dancing Team Oksana Domnina and Maxin Shabalin

Yesterday I got up very early to tape a radio interview with NPR's "The Takeaway" where I spoke about the Olympic Figure Skating Costumes (of course, what else??). I spoke about my thoughts on Domnina and Shabalin's controversial--and some would say, culturally insensitive Aboriginal-inspired costumes, as well as my favorite all-time figure skating costumes and naturally, spoke a little about Johnny Weir and his fur/no fur controversy. My interview will air tomorrow (Wednesday) morning.

The Takeaway is a national morning news program that invites listeners to be part of the American conversation. Hosts John Hockenberry (Todd Zwillich sub-hosted for my interview) and Celeste Headlee, along with partners The New York Times, BBC World Service, WNYC, Public Radio International and WGBH Boston, deliver news and analysis and help you prepare for the day ahead.

Listen to The Takeaway on the radio every weekday morning on the stations listed HERE, or listen live online at thetakeaway.org weekdays between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. Eastern (3 a.m.–7 a.m. Pacific).

Figure Skating Costume Controversy!

Aboriginal Costume Misstep: Yay or Nay?Welcome To Australia: Russian Ice Dancing Champions

The Winter Olympics in Vancouver are only 43 days away and there is already controversy with one of the top Ice Dancing teams from Russia. Do I even need to remind you of why I love Figure Skating? The reigning World Champion Ice Dancing team, Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin from Russia have had a tough time this year and have not been able to participate in the Pre-Olympic International Grand Prix Events. But that didn't stop the Russian Federation from crowning them the Champs with a score that rivaled the best of the season (How do you say quelle surprise in Russian?)
Hey Look We Have Plants Growing Out Of Our Bodysuits!

But the real controversy was not about their scores, but about their costumes darlings. In the original dance, skaters are required to use music that is based on a national folk tune. Domnina and Shabalin chose very unusual Aboriginal music, using voices as the instruments. Their costumes were based on Aboriginal Tribal-wear (see above) using white body paint and red cloth "crotch covers". But then their costume designer took some Aboriginal "liberty": For some unknown reason they had leaves planted (pun intended) throughout their costume bodysuits and....wait for it....they also were in what some critics have deemed Blackface. Therefore the controversy. The skating bloggersphere forums have been abuzz over it. I think it's a bit odd and in bad taste. But I'd love to know what the rest of you think--or at least my fellow Figure Skating fans. Yay or Nay?

UPDATE: Click HERE to see what I thought about their UPDATED costumes at the Olympics, when I reviewed all the Dance Costumes with Kristi Yamaguchi and Peter Carruthers! LIVE!