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ST. PETERSBURG -- In retrospect, it was not a very good idea to hold a figure-skating competition in the summertime.
The performances were sloppy and the competitors worn out, a result of all the confusion of the past week.
Not a moment too soon, the skating events at the troubled Goodwill Games came to an end Saturday. "We're tired," said American Elaine Zayak, the former world champion who finished last out of eight skaters. "This has been a long week, because of the ice and the schedules."
The hot weather and the delays led to one uninspired performance after another, especially among the women. Skating in a nearly empty arena Friday, more than half the skaters botched the technical program.
There was more of the same at the free skate Saturday, when one of the best leapers in the world, Surya Bonaly of France, missed four planned jumps but still won the gold medal.Why? Because nearly everyone else was just as lousy.
"I'm very happy it's over," said Bonaly, a four-time European champion.
The silver medal went to Michelle Kwan of the United States. The bronze went to Russia's Maria Butyrskaya, who moved up despite a fall.
?In ice dancing, Irina Romanova and Igor Yaroshenko of Ukraine took the gold in a weak international field. Russian pairs took the silver and bronze.
?In diving Sunday, Russia's Vladimir Timoshinin won the men's 10-meter platform, followed by China's Wang Feng and Xu Hao. The top American was Russ Bertram in seventh.
?On Sunday in gymnastics, a combined team of Belarus and Ukraine won the mixed competition.
?In women's basketball Sunday, the U.S. defeated France 87-63 to win the gold medal.
Sloppy Skating After Hot Weather and Confusion
09 August 1994
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