The French ice dancing team fell victim to a complete wardrobe malfunction
Keep your programs tight and your neck clasps tighter.
That should be the big takeaway for ice dancers at this year’s Olympics. Ten days after a wardrobe malfunction almost sunk a South Korean couple, the French pair of Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron suffered an embarrassing gaffe during Monday’s short program.
Considered to be one of the favorites to win the gold medal, the duo had to perform as Papadakis had the clasp on the back of her uniform break about 10 seconds into the routine and she struggled to keep her top from falling down.
Though she tried valiantly, it was ultimately a losing proposition. Papadakis’ left breast was exposed near the end of the program and it was broadcast live on NBC.
“It was my worst nightmare happening at the Olympics,” Papadakis said afterward. “It happened in the first few seconds [of the routine]. I told myself I didn’t have a choice; I have to keep going.”
Papadakis deserves all the credit in the world, though. Despite that awful luck and circumstances, she and Cizeron were still able to post a score of 81.93, good enough for second behind Canada’s Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, who set a world record with a score of 83.67.
The free dance will be held on Tuesday in South Korea.
Papadakis received some instant sympathy from other skaters on Twitter:
My heart is broken for G/G today. For something like a costume malfunction to hinder this moment for them is utterly devastating. #pyeongchang2018
— Meryl Davis (@Meryl_Davis) February 19, 2018
Empathy is always a good idea. Please remember how much time these dedicated athletes have put in these moments. ⛸ We may have favorites, we may root for our fellow countrymen, but KINDNESS is universal. No better event than the Olympics to remind us of that #pyeongchang2018
— Meryl Davis (@Meryl_Davis) February 19, 2018
Devestating …. a costume malfunction can be such a disturbance mentally. I’m sad for them that this happened at this moment.
— Meagan Duhamel (@mhjd_85) February 19, 2018
“It’s crazy that can take you out of contention for a gold medal, but it’s ice skating,” NBC analyst Johnny Weir said afterward.
Yura Min and Alexander Gamelin had to battle a similar situation during the team figure skating competition on Feb. 11 but Min’s top never came off. The pair returned on Monday with Min wearing the same outfit but with a reinforced clasp on the back. The pair posted a 61.22 in the short program, which put them 16th overall.
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