With all due respect, Mr. Hersh, would you care to deliver more balanced view on all this? All I read in your article is Orser’s bitter and emotional remarks toward ATS and Yuna. Yuna’s side should have their own version of this case and why the relationship had to turn out this way. Yuna was having an ideal relationship that any skater would die for with her coaching team and also from the support by the Canadian skating community – Sandra Bezic, Shea Lynn Bourne, Kurt Browning, to name just a few – that she became acquainted through her coaches. Yuna’s management must have assessed such side benefits Yuna will have to let go when she goes separate ways with Orser (and Tracy) in this not-so clean cut fashion. Yuna’s side to make that decision despite the obvious loss of the benefits from having the “Canadian connection” might be an indication that there is a very good reason for Yuna’s side to have decided to go that way.

I am certain that Brian Orser is a class act, but it is obvious that he (or anyone in his position) will not say to the press anything that would harm his future coaching career in any way, and portraying the client side so what unprofessionally in this stage can be a way of defending his own position. I am not saying that is what Brian Orser is doing now, but all I am saying is it is fair to hear from both sides in an equal ground. After all, we have this bright and talented young athlete’s future career on the line in this very conservative and heavily reputation-driven industry.

I think it is shameful what has happened. This is akin to the rich businessman who dumps his wife of thirty years for some cheap floozy, even though she supported him when he was nothing. I am sure that Brian will bounce back.

>Orser said he was approached about the possibility of working
but immediately rejected the idea.

It’s true that Orser himself ‘exposed’ to Korean media about this ‘secret’, but it’s officially denied by Mao’s agent. As you kow, or, as you don’t know???

It’s really unfortunate to see a great partnership dissolve, at least that’s how it appeared from the outside. It seems that both sides benefited greatly from each other’s input, Yuna with her learning to skating with emotion and Brian with learning to coach. This makes me think of Michelle Kwan-Frank Carroll split, which also appeared to happen all of sudden and to have a strong parental influence. I hope Yuna doesn’t lose any of the goodwill built over the past 4 years of training in Canada and from the North American skating community and fans.

Ha ha ha, watch Yuna – who already was faultering – become the next Park Tae Hwan. “Friends and family” f*cked with the coaching, created their “own team” and got f*cked at the world championship… Queen Yuna – nothing against her – she’s going for the ride… this is not a sport thing or a Korean thing, this is a what happens to child stars… you’ve got a Linsey Lohanish situation here.

Yuna will be a fixture to Koreans because of her place in history but her competitive skating career is over… any Korean will tell you, the scariest thing in Korea is the 아줌마 (Ah Joom Ma), middle aged women…

Korean athletes don’t handle success very well except Park Jisung of Man U… you name it, after the initial success, they all get complacent.

Whatever has really happened here, it’s a sad and disappointing story.

Brian and Yu-Na should probably communicate to each other and clear up their issues, because it’s sad to do it this way.

I think there is a culture clash here so let me take a wild guess. The South Korean delegation was insulted and disrespected that Orser would even entertain the thought of coaching a Japanese skater, a strong rival to Yuna.
Since their honor was tarnished, and the humiliation they would face in South Korea, they could no longer continue with Orser.
And how many times have we read about crazy happenings when parents start meddling in their kids career? Kids, when they become adults, need the chord cut and their own space, and professionals to guide the professional aspect of their career.

I also hope that the following part will be clear.

“Orser said he was approached about the possibility of working
but immediately rejected the idea.”

As mentioed above, this was denied by Mao’ agent.
Three possibilities:
(i) This article is misleading.
(ii) Either Orser or Mao’s agent lied.

It’s like a Frank Carrol-Michelle Kwan thing. Frank Carrol was never given a real reason why their coach-student relationship ended. And Carrol taught Michelle ever since she was teensy weensy. He essentially helped Michelle become the Michelle Kwan. Same thing with Orser. Orser helped Yuna become the Yuna Kim.

The only difference is that Michelle was extremely sentimental (in private) about the split with Carrol, while Yuna seems to stand at a distance.

Oh well. Guess I can’t really say anything about this since I’m not a member of either team.

http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/sp20100428f1.html

The Japan Times contacted Mao’s agent, Mariko Wada of IMG, on Sunday and asked her
to provide some clarity on the issue.

“Very surprising,” she wrote in an e-mail of the initial reports.
“We never contacted him and never thought about it.”

I’m going out on a limb and stating that AT Sports won’t be “all that” in a few years. Looks like the classic situation where the meddlesome parent sees the opportunity to make some $$$$ off their kid, and they and up getting a little too greedy.

Time will tell.

My money’s on Wada being untruthful. Of course she’s not going to admit that Asada’s people approached Orser and were rebuffed. And Orser would have had nothing to gain by making up such a story.

There is no reason for Mao to approach Orser. Mao is looking for a Japanese coach. Is Orser a Japanese? And more over Orser’s guidance is non-sense for Mao. Orser coaches that skater not to do new things but to just polish present skills. So, that skater’s programs are always same. However, Mao always tries to do what she can’t do and new things. Is Mao and Orser’s partnership match? I don’t think so. Don’t involve Mao in this trouble!!

Brian Orser himself said on TV(CTV) that Mao side people absolutely did’nt make such offer. Just give up to drag others in nasty skirmish like this.

Brian Orser himself said on CTV program that Mao side people absolutely didn’t make such offer.

Everyone misses an important thing: IMG World, who sponsors many figure skaters including Mao Asada and other Japaneses skaters, but not Yuna Kim. Yuna Kim in fact has left IMG a few years ago.

However, recently, IMG World made a contract with Brian Orser with big money and sent several young Japanese skaters to Toronto. Yes, there have been many Japanese skaters, parents, and other people roaming around Yuna Kim. It is not a pleasant experience for Yuna, as she is competing with many Japanese skaters, especially Mao Asada. So, she has ended contract with Brian.

That’s it.

Brian’s contract with IMG is understandable; Yuna’s firing him is also understandable. So what?

The only thing that wasn’t cool is what Brian did with media.

Brian Orser admitted that he was asked by Mao’s agency to work with her. There are diverse evidence for it.
Evidence Nr1: Brian’s email to Yuna in April this year => “…Her(Mao’s) agency did inquire about me (and team) working with her(Mao)…”
Evidence Nr 2: Brian’s telephone interview with SBS => “The thing is back in April going around that Mao Asada had asked me, I said ‘No’.”
After Mao’s agency made an official statement that they never asked Brian to be her coach, Brian changed his word in his CTV interview and said he was never asked by Mao’s agency to work with her. So who is the liar?
He says he wants the best for Yuna and blahblah, but what he does is totally the opposite of it.
Brian doesn’t seem to be a sincere person.

We are a long way from knowing all the facts of the situation, but what Orser told me about the Mao issue does not contradict what he said in the CTV interview. He told me that Mao’s camp asked him about the POSSIBILITY of working with Mao, and he said no BEFORE any offer was made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xdLQJ6lrX4&feature=player_embedded

**Watch this video how Brian changed about Mao Asada’s coach offer comment to Korean media and Canadian media!..He is..really…

Brian Orser—OMG you are an arrant liar!!
And you teach Japanese Junior team at the same link in Canada where Yuna practices. You revealed Yuna’s secret Free Program for next year before Yuna and her agency tell to the media..What are you trying to do???You like Japanese MOney and You betrayed her loyalty first..You can see and you know that!!
What’s your intention? Yeah..Can’t help it..That ‘s all about your money and money and reputation..Your reputation is high with a new title, the Liar now!!

So disappointing about his two sided cunning heart. Ah,.can’t believe that just simple and normal split between Coach and player..he made a such an issue..God… for what Brian???

1. Kim and AT Sportsy&fans seem to mixed up the figure skating for pseudo-Japan-Korean war. Orser has been coaching Gao, and it did not bother them, but possible Japanese juniors are unbearable fear.

When it come to Japan, they over-react and feel free to make up stories as they wish to believe; kim is innocent, Asada or any other Japanese juniors are evil, and caused all the trouble.

2. Both Orser and Korean side brought Asada as a scapegoat in to the trouble.

My guess is Orser might have suggested Asada’s name for wage bargaining. And AT Sports might have used his words to baffle the situation, shift the responsibility, and victimizing themselves.

3. Poor Asada.

4. I wonder Kim is still suitable person for the Olympic bid after such a mess.

Now I’m interested how they consider the pointless accusation to Asada? Any apologies for the involvement?

Or admit that their trust was sooo fragile, that can be ruined by a ‘rumour’??

First, Orser (or IMG) should’ve not used media play to reveal private business matter. It’s definitely immoral, immature and careless.

Second, its funny those who lose jobs always say oh, there is no reason, it’s unfair, I feel insulted blah blah…. Brian should know Yuna & mom treated him too mannerly ,nicely, respectfully to let him know any dissatisfaction with him when when he was a coach of Yuna. He should be grateful to Yuna & mom for the rest of his life for making him a coach and building up confidence as a coach. (too much??)

 

All skaters have right to choose thier own coaches, they do this more often than not whenever they feel uncomfortable or want improvement for themselves. The contract ended in April between Yuna & Brian.(Actually there is no serious ‘contract’ or something between coach & athelte relationship) Yuna has practiced alone since May. Yuna & mom has never wanted to say loudly to the outside world anything against him even though they feel uncomfortable. Yuna & mom has kept the guideline on how to change coaches in the most respectful way.

As for Yuna Kim , just another WOW, She is really the GREATEST skater of all time. I can’t help loving and adoring her more and more. She uncovered the truth bravely and protected her mom courageously .She’s like a guardian angel. What a lady! Someone say ” Yu-na certainly is a great champion on and off-ice, and her sportsmanship is not only shown in competitions but shines even during her worst times ever” , Yes, indeed! God bless Yuna now &4ever.

This whole story sickens me. I never imagined to read this result of the Orser/Kim alliance. Never.

In my eyes, no matter the spin or the speculations here by bloggers (which I find as alarming as the story, the whole mess sounds like one big fat LOSE/LOSE situation in all directions.

Since the whole thing has transpired for several months in a peculiar bubble of silence from both camps, I doubt the factual step by step account will ever sort itself out in the public forum. Time may eventually shine a beam of light into the dark corners of this story, I hope. In my opinion, the current ambiguity arising from the delayed announcement serves one side a bit more than the other but I still don’t know what actually happened here.

So I say this: none of us knows what happened to trigger or culminate this process. So STOP WITH QUESS FEST?
Such foolish remarks only muddy the waters further. SO STOP.

An abiding nausea floods my body every time I read another version of this story. Visions of the surprise, joy and mutual respect and affection in Kim and Orser with each triump flood my memory. And that combo of story vs images leaves me with a deep sadness and the thought that we may never again see either Kim or Orser as happy as they were when they worked together during the past 3 years.

I hope I am wrong. I do wish them both much success. I feel a terrible sense of lose in all this.

How can Yu Na Kim be the “greatest” skater of all time when she probably has one of the worst spiral sequences in history? And what about longevity? Like what Doris Day once said: “Whatever will be, will be. The future’s not ours to see.” Who knows? Maybe Yu Na will be another Tara Lipinski – a mere blip on the radar.