@@cuttestbutterfly1They weren’t THAT anti-black in Europe around that time anymore mate. As another comment explained it, it was simply dangerous so it was against the rules. That doesn’t make the feat less impressive tho.
@@KhaleemaElder-cp7jrracism is more likely. Just watched a woman getting noted by her teacher for wearing revealing clothes along with her male friend (which shows sexism in this case) and even if someone who is american or smth would get a praise instead of gettjng dunked on like how this african lady got
I don't think people truly realize how mentally and physically strong you have to be in order to pull THAT kind of a routine off. If Surya even blinked during that backflip it could've ended with a career ending injury and instead she did something immaculate in skating history! I have nothing but the utmost respect for Miss Surya. What an amazing young woman!
The backflip is actually against the rules in the Olympics, she fell and knew that she was going to be docked a lot of points so she didn’t really care if she was disqualified
Skippy Baxter, as a professional show skater in the 1950s, and Terry Kubicka. Yeah, right,m the record books. Obviously, something you don't look at unless the person doesn't fit your ideal ethnicity.
@@joshuaosirisyou realize if a select few people have done it in a decade it’s still one for the books? Just cause you’re not the first doesn’t mean your name isn’t apart of history
I remember watching this performance live and my mouth just dropped when she did her backflip on one foot. Just incredible. She made an impact on me forever…What an athlete!!
@@joshuaosiriswhy are you being a hater? Are you being paid by those two to talk about them on other people’s videos??? How does the fact that they did backflips take away from how stunning her performance was despite the flaws???
@@xMUNECAx clearly knows nothing about the topic the move had been banned for 20 years at the moment, she did it to show off knowing that she had nothing to do to win a medal. She got penalised for that. End of story.
i swear you women try so hard in including powerfull and stunning in your daily life that im 100% sure that none of you really are . Its like you females are jealous cause men have been brave during history¿ i dont get it , is it that important for your ego? bravery has to do with other things, not this
Yeah if you cant even perform easy moves, just do a hard move and risk breaking your neck in front of the whole world! How ridiculous that they banned this move!
A move that is still ‘against’ the rules as it is deemed too dangerous - at first it was said because landings had to be on one foot) Robin Cousins landed them on two feet) Soraya was amazing landed the back flip on one foot and they changed the rules again. She was penalised for the jump. We, fans, love and adore her for it.
Scott hamilton also landed the back flip on two feet and Terry Kubika was the one who originated it in I believe 1978 at the world famous Broadmore World Arena in Colorado Springs. He was also disqualified for doing it in the nationals.
Omg I would've felt so scattered after that fall... but she kept up her energy and confidence. This is a true athlete, keeping her head up and persisting. Absolutely beautiful.
She has my utmost respect for STILL going for the backflip even after she made a couple mistakes. That says so much about her that she fell, and still got back up and back to it. I can’t imagine the focus it takes to be Ice skating backwards, and then pull off a backflip and land on one foot. Amazing!!
Absolutely amazing! Prior to these Olympics she had ruptured her Achilles tendon and was still in a lot of pain so wasn't able to finish her planned routine yet she managed to perform this backflip landing on one blade which just shows how superb an athlete she is.
She is so underrated! I don’t think the skating world treated her fairly. 3:58 They told her that a back flip is not a jump because she was landing them on both feet, so she landed this one on one foot! Such a badass and an awesome skater!
Underated ? She was several times gold medalist of France championships, european championships, medalist of the world championships and olympics. It was wonderful as french to be represented by this great and phenomenal skater. But sometimes your opponent can win for one point. Some purist judges didn't like her gymnast style but she had all the points she deserved. Not less. When she was defeated in Japan by a japonese skater nobody talk about racism but only mistakes. France always had people of color in their teams. We can speak of the other too.
Underated? She had 3 mistakes in this program _before_ she even did the illegal backflip. In otherwords, IMO, she was overrated simply because of this move.
@@briancockerham4731 Flowers. A lot of people throw flowers and stuffed animals. That’s why you see people skating all around picking up the flowers and gifts as she is taking her bows.
That backflip came after many triples. Was expecting to see it earlier when she had more energy, but to pull it off towards the end when tired is very very impressive.
@@kenmoreSFI’m pretty sure for scoring purposes it can’t count as a jump when you land on one foot so that’s why she had to do it that way? Very impressive that she didn’t just abandon the idea
That’s crazy, I don’t watch figure skating but I knew she wouldn’t win based on the mistakes she had. But to come back and perform the rest of the set basically for the fans and herself is remarkable. I have no idea who won the gold that day but I’ll forever remember that backflip. 🎉
Started off with one major mistake, followed by a couple of minor timing mishaps, probably due to nerves; but as her program progressed, she achieved near perfection. Excellent performance. The thing I hate about this sport is that the judges decisions are based on their own personal preferences rather than the skater's performance, which is why I never watch these contests.
She’s spoken about this and she was actually injured so the rotational landings were too painful which is also why a lot of her follow up triple were pulled and single instead. That jump was supposed to be another triple something but it seemed like it’d be too painful so instead she did that flip which she knew she could do and it wouldn’t require the same kind of landing. I thought that was really interesting
It’s so much more awesome than that though. At the previous Olympics, the judges had scored her unfairly low. So this time, she came in with the plan to do the flip, which was completely against the rules, and then announced her retirement immediately after. This was her revenge, and it was glorious.
My mind is blown. I've never seen anything like that before and I thought I seen everything an Olympian skater could do.🤯 Especially after mistakes were made , she turned around and made history. 😍
Many people booed the Judges for penalizing her. I remember watching this live, and it was amazing. My parents explained why the backflip got panned. It’s dangerous. She threw it in because she knew the fall would cost her, she said “what the heck”
@@desperatelyseekingrealnews Backflip is more dangerous since there is risk of landing on your neck and on a certanly neck breaking speed too. If this element was allowed on big competiotions or be a part of standart programm we would have dozens of dead and crippled young athletes every year.
It's hard enough to do a backflip on two feet on the ground, without skates on , let alone on the ice, landing on one foot! Kudos to her! Great job you did! Just awesome!
Surya went out like a boss in her final amateur competition before turning pro. Ahead of her time pushing the boundaries in athleticism for women's figure skating. Today we see women landing multiple triples, triple combinations, and quads. Robbed multiple times of World Championships because she didn't fit the mold of what the judges wanted in a figure skating champion. This free skate wasn't about winning to her, it was about making a statement.
When she fell on the earlier jump, she knew she had no chance at a medal. And since this was her last amateur skate, she basically gave those miserable judges the finger with her backflip. I loved every minute of it.
Yeah, five-time European champion. So held down. So oppressed. She'd be doomed today because they also upped the value of footwork and spins, and at least by this point she'd never be able to rotate a quad.
@julien827 obviously in life they are winners achieving their dreams and as a skating career overall they are winners. But technically yes the people that don't win in the Olympics are losers. You people have to look at this relatively, it's not like he's putting her on the same level as someone who just lost a local competition, she still is an Olympic skater.
@@joshuaosirisNotice how both of this skaters you mentioned are white men? This is technically a form of pushing boundaries. While you may not consider her to be a phenomenal skater, she is pushing boundaries because she is a black woman attempting these skills in a presumably (at that time) white/fairer skinned centered environment/sport. Even if she didn’t win as many metals, create moves, nor was the first the do backflips, especially on one foot since that seems to be a big deal…she showed little black girls and other aspiring black women skaters that they can go out there and push themselves past the limit too. From my understanding, this was not about pushing the boundaries of the skater world but about pushing the boundaries of oneself past societal and other athletic limitations. Those men that you brought up are irrelevant and are only brought up to combat the success of this woman. You can still recognize her talent or her accomplishments without diminishing the work and efforts of those who came before.
Part of the reason she waited so late is because she made the calculation and realized she wasn't getting gold due to her fall and then her popping some jumps (plus, her not having a straight leg in some of her spins), not unless the other skaters also fell. Which made her very memorable. It honestly speaks a lot about her jumping strength that she medalled with a silver even after a fall
She did the backflip because she failed the regular jumps, she had lost all chance to medal at that point so she just went and did something cool at the end
you guys are making things up to romanticise them. She was a gymnast, she didn't skate well, she could just jump. in those days you had to do figures too, which was precision, she was terrible at figures, they massively overmarked her in figures so she could have a chance in the free skate. The backflip was always in her program, it is not hard, it is just dangerous if it isn't taught properly.
She has so much courage, as year after year being criticise. She was an amazing athlete and artiste. She had grace skating on the ice. I'm glad the professionals now realized how talented she was. And like some comment mention how well ahead of her time she was.
Now that's perseverance! That she was able to recover from that fall at 1:07 so quickly and then still muster the confidence to land the backflip at 3:58
yeah that recovery was so swift n graceful that i think she could add in an intentional fake “fall” where she gets near or on the ice briefly and make it look gorgeous
it seems like she was really hurt, too, she keeps putting her hand near her hip where she hit the ice. i can't imagine the strength it takes to finish the entire performance in pain like that, let alone one as challenging as this!
Because. The Establishment didn't know how to deal with this young Exciting Lady from France.....Ice Skating these days are swayed by Wealthy countries. Across the seas. With huge amounts of Money. Invested in Their countries hopefulls. Not getting anywhere due to the Sheer Brilliance of Ice skaters from Russia. ... now with Russian Skaters. Branded as war mo gers. Governments fault nothing to do with Ice skaters. But Say. Usa. Umm yes. Their skaters are no where. So using war. They expelled Russian girls and boys. .all political. ..
I remember seeing that in the Olympics! She was Amazing! She probably knew she wouldn't win gold after falling & went for going down in Olympic history instead!! Kudos to your courage, Surya!!!
I remember her vividly and was amazed at her strength and beauty… when she did that backflip… It had us all in awe… dangerous, yes, but AMAZING!!! Hated how the rules kept changing… she deserved those extra points!!!
I arrived at this video because I was solving a crossword puzzle, and there was a clue that said "Move famously performed by figure skater Surya Bonaly at the 1998 Winter Olympics." It was one of 12 clues related to "back", hers being backflip. I know zero about ice skating.Never watch it, but seeing that young woman on UA-cam performing that maneuver sent a shiver through me. It looked even more impossible than the rest of her fabulous routine. She shared her gift on the biggest stage, and now even the puzzle world salutes her!
I watched this performance on TV (live, not the replay). She was amazing. Another fact is that she finished with her back to the judges whics is sort of an IN YOUR FACE as they had not been overly kind to her. Let's face it, judging such an event includes a lot of subject judgement and it is easy to like someone and not like another and the scores often subtly reflect this.
I have so much respect for this woman for the gross, overt, unfair and atrocious treatment she endured as a human being and a professional skater. I salute you Surya, you are amongst the greatest of all times!
@@joshuaosirisJesus dude, no need to comment on EVERY positive comment she gets. It’s not “because she’s black”, it’s because she’s in our time. We can relate to her and many have witnessed and experienced her because she’s much more recent. While they may have done it first, it is very common and normal that the more recent events get recognition. There’s tons of people who’ve “done it first” in some way, but go unrecognized for one reason or another (but he WAS widely recognized for it), but maybe- just maybe- this video isn’t about him and his feats.
@@idontgiveah00t Yeah, you aren't overcompensating! I must have touched a nerve. Did what I wrote exposed something dark you don't want others to know about?
I'm glad I found this comment -- this was my first time seeing this video, and it got progressively harder to watch because it seemed like she was in pain, esp when she was on a particular leg. Near the end, I noticed she kept placing a hand on her thigh and was limiting the amount of momentum she'd gain during the last turns (not sure what they're called -- noticed it more in the last three types she ended the routine with).
The best thing about this clip (apart from the obvious) was no annoying disrespectful nattering from commentators. The audience/viewer is simply captured silently in the moment. Bravo 👏
I remember watching this on live TV and being in awe! 🤩🥰 Something else I noticed with this video, and I'm not sure where this coverage is from, is that it was so refreshing not hearing commentators constantly talking over the performance! ❤️
@@loreleigoldman2460 I guess I wasn't super clear in my comment...I didn't mean where the performance took place, I meant I wasn't sure where the footage was from (i.e. ABC, NBC, some foreign newscast/station). Most of the time, at least in U.S. coverage of events like this--especially w/in the past decade, they have commentators talking over the performance which really takes away from it, IMO.
@@lilannegirl03 - It's okay, no need to apologize, we understood you. However, since I am not a figure skater nor spend time in that world, I appreciate the explanatory comments and enjoy Lupinski and Weir's professionalism.
@@joshuaosiris what’s that supposed to mean when you appreciate an athlete that represent a small percentage of people I don’t normally see do something you probably can’t do 🤦🏽♂️
I remember watching this live. When she did that backflip and landed it on one foot, the whole house erupted. It was like she’d scored a touchdown at the Super Bowl. Truly an amazing moment that I vividly remember to this day.
She was an amazing skater just goes to show how closed minded they are to new stuff she was changing the game making it more exciting Respect to this fine athlete
I was 8 when this was new but can you believe people used to stay Midori Ito was too 'robotic' in her prime? Imagine saying that about Yuna Kim or Evgenia!
"just goes to show how closed minded they are to new stuff" What the is this supposed to mean? Who is closed-minded? The judges that gave her 5/6 of a perfect score even though the rest of the performance was only mediocre? The audience that clapped their hands raw while cheering?
This was normal until they banned sommersaults in 1976... She knew she'd lost so she threw it in as many have done before her (Baxter, Kubicka, etc)...
@joshuaosiris can u stop with this?? i get that ur trying to make a point, but can we just praise someone else for once? and some people probably don't even know who skippy is. u can't get mad at people for smth some people don't even know about!!
She was highlighted in a piece about racism in figure skating recently. I also remember watching her when I was young and not understanding why she never won. They spoke of how the judges scored her and actually frowned upon the back flip. She was an incredible athlete.
Oh my that back flip and landing on one foot!! Wow! Just wow! Amazing! So smooh and polished! Diamonds just Diamonds! Gold is not enough for this stunning execution!!!
Huh????????? You’re disgusting! If you’re that uninterested and find it so boring to watch then why bother watching at all ?! What a rude and disrespectful comment 😡
@@joshuaosirisyou keep pushing out those tired ayus names on EVERY comment that applauds what THIS woman did on that day. Stop being a hater and let her have the adoration she deserves for such a beautiful performance despite the fall and stumbles, she was great, let her be great. If you’re still pressed, go to THEIR videos and applaud THEM for whatever tf impressed you.
Well, she also fell all over the ice, and they judge for artistry, which… yeah, take a look at the winners. Penalising her for the jump was bullshit, but she wasn’t going to win anyway, and on the other hand we all know how Tonya turned out… if you want to put all your eggs in the gymnastics basket, be a gymnast.
Reading that she got penalized by doing it made me sad for her. Such an incredible move landed on a single foot… Happy for the History, sad for the story :( Sending big love from Portugal!
Only 25 years ago but it has such a different feel. When they show the skater and her trainers at the end it seems so genuine and not so performative like athletes today in the age of smartphones, 24/7 cameras, etc.
I actually remember watching this live and I didn't think much more of it as a cool trick. Knowing now that it has never been done again since then makes me smile.
Extraordinary talent, beauty, and sweet spirit. Just seeing the video for the first time and was captivated by her energy and had to watch several times.
I cant imagine how soul breaking must be to train for years, making a single mistake and knowing its over. At least she just let loose after and did what she wanted.😊
@@cbgbstew4072 yet you say nothing about the person who is spamming about skippy Baxter and some other 🌈got, he’s the REASON I’m “parroting” that comment, now say something to him.
As someone who roller blading and could do flips, Going forward is easy going backwards takes guts and power and talent...we do at times forget the talent that is around us everyday
She skated so wonderfully. That fall was hard to watch, but it's hard to take for granted how skilled this woman was aside from a few errors. Her composure was incredible afterward too.
I've never watched ice skating, and ended up tearing up before. The way i am now. I didnt expect to get emotional at all. This was amazing & inspirational, from beginning to end. Queen & legend, and so beautiful too. 🙏👑💜💐💐💐💐💐
Phenomenal. She seemed disappointed in the early fall and made sure to show that she is on a different level on the ice. 3:54 from the side. It's also at 5:46 from the front angle.
I've never watched a whole video before rushing to the comments until I saw this. The whole time I'm nervous and routing for her. When she fell my heart skipped a beat but she preserved. BEAUTIFUL!
She nailed the back flip landing on one skate and nothing else touched the ice!! Amazing!! Nothing can take that away from her. The fact that it was an illegal move hurt her score as well as the mistake. Her recovery was well done. Sorry for the score.
Happy to see this elegant and gracious lady make it to the top. It shows hard work and dedication. I also love the affection from her team who seem so close to her.
I followed Surya's entire career and to say the skating world should be ashamed at the way they mistreated this awesome talent. Courage under fire, standing tall in the face of racism and adversity Surya is and will forever be a winner
@@joshuaosirisu should grow out of this kindergarten logic mguy! just because someone else is talented doesn't mean she isn't. more than one person can be talented at once! thats the reason why we have those competitions in the first place
![[HD] Tonya Harding - 1994 Lillehammer Olympic - Free Skating](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/63flkf3S1bE/mqdefault.jpg)
The fact that she pulled that off after a couple of mistakes is insane. What confidence!!!
Lol. In 90s they were not ready for black people in icescating. They made sure her extra talent didn't count because they didn't want her to win! I
@@cuttestbutterfly1They weren’t THAT anti-black in Europe around that time anymore mate. As another comment explained it, it was simply dangerous so it was against the rules. That doesn’t make the feat less impressive tho.
@@phoenixflamegames1don’t try and deny racism weirdo
@@phoenixflamegames1They changed the rules because she managed to do it. Then they penalized her.
@@sandboxlover2078 another one of the “racism barely exists in europe, unlike AMERICA!!!”
The fact that she ended facing with her back toward the judges and instead reaching to the audience is beautiful
One more parting shot towards them, the rules and the Olympics? And more to the contestants who competed fairly?
@@Deejaay83urj38a shot at the racism and unfairness she endured. They complained about everything she did , way before this. Why?
@@KhaleemaElder-cp7jrif anyone said racist comment, let them be called out
@@KhaleemaElder-cp7jrracism is more likely. Just watched a woman getting noted by her teacher for wearing revealing clothes along with her male friend (which shows sexism in this case) and even if someone who is american or smth would get a praise instead of gettjng dunked on like how this african lady got
Losers who having nothing to lose are always fun to watch.
I don't think people truly realize how mentally and physically strong you have to be in order to pull THAT kind of a routine off. If Surya even blinked during that backflip it could've ended with a career ending injury and instead she did something immaculate in skating history! I have nothing but the utmost respect for Miss Surya. What an amazing young woman!
And landed on one foot,so amazing.
It's been 26 years since she landed a backflip on one skate, and still, no other Olympic figure skater has done it.
She knew the fall put her out of the top spot, so she skated for herself and the fans. Bravo!
what's amazing is she planned do the back flip so even if she didn't fall she'd do it regardless
The backflip is actually against the rules in the Olympics, she fell and knew that she was going to be docked a lot of points so she didn’t really care if she was disqualified
@@foxicorn9964 How could she be disqualified if she'd never been convicted?
@@kshepard52why would she have to be convicted, this has nothing to do with the law
@@tiay6269 It was a political joke.
She may not have taken home gold but she made the record books. All these years later, we still come back to watch her skate.
Skippy Baxter, as a professional show skater in the 1950s, and Terry Kubicka. Yeah, right,m the record books. Obviously, something you don't look at unless the person doesn't fit your ideal ethnicity.
No one came back to watch the gold medalist
@@joshuaosirisyou realize if a select few people have done it in a decade it’s still one for the books? Just cause you’re not the first doesn’t mean your name isn’t apart of history
@@joshuaosiristhis guys leaving a bunch of replies about how other people did backflips and saying we only care because surya is black. Weirdo
@@joshuaosiris Nobody cares 🤡
The fall was actually very beautiful and graceful. And the backflip said, "if you fail while doing your best, you still win."
I love this take. Thank you for sharing ❤
Nope
Proof that you don't always have to be declared a winner by someone else to BE a winner.
So in other words although she lost the completion she really won in the end.
True ❤
Winner By Choice‼️
Big facts!!!
She is the only one I remember
I remember watching this performance live and my mouth just dropped when she did her backflip on one foot. Just incredible. She made an impact on me forever…What an athlete!!
Skippy Baxter, as a professional show skater in the 1950s, and Terry Kubicka.
@@joshuaosirisno one cares.
@@joshuaosirisNobody cares dude. You've got problems
same here 👍
Video unavailable it says....
I love how she faced her audience instead of the judges, she definitely knew her fans were going to be the ones to appreciate her talent and work
My heart broke when she fell, and then later stumbled, but then she stunned everyone with that powerful and brave back flip.
@joshuaosiris calm down... its not that serious
@@joshuaosiriswhy are you being a hater? Are you being paid by those two to talk about them on other people’s videos??? How does the fact that they did backflips take away from how stunning her performance was despite the flaws???
@@xMUNECAx clearly knows nothing about the topic the move had been banned for 20 years at the moment, she did it to show off knowing that she had nothing to do to win a medal. She got penalised for that. End of story.
i swear you women try so hard in including powerfull and stunning in your daily life that im 100% sure that none of you really are . Its like you females are jealous cause men have been brave during history¿ i dont get it , is it that important for your ego? bravery has to do with other things, not this
Yeah if you cant even perform easy moves, just do a hard move and risk breaking your neck in front of the whole world! How ridiculous that they banned this move!
A move that is still ‘against’ the rules as it is deemed too dangerous - at first it was said because landings had to be on one foot) Robin Cousins landed them on two feet) Soraya was amazing landed the back flip on one foot and they changed the rules again. She was penalised for the jump. We, fans, love and adore her for it.
rules are Not Laws! ...so they will/can be broken.
It makes the player hit accident so they don't allowed that stent
Some things are just gift from the most High if she can why not.
Cousins always copied from other people.
Scott hamilton also landed the back flip on two feet and Terry Kubika was the one who originated it in I believe 1978 at the world famous Broadmore World Arena in Colorado Springs. He was also disqualified for doing it in the nationals.
Omg I would've felt so scattered after that fall... but she kept up her energy and confidence. This is a true athlete, keeping her head up and persisting. Absolutely beautiful.
She was phenomenal! Back when the skating and Olympics was enjoyable and exciting to watch! I loved watching her! 💞
@@Melinda8162 - It still is, but has lost a spark when Ms Bonaly retired.
The fact that she fell and stumbled but still had that Resilience to push through and make flupping history tells you something about her!!
That's the best part
Skippy Baxter, as a professional show skater in the 1950s, and Terry Kubicka. She didn't make history.
@@joshuaosiris Still super impressive.
That was some real impressive skating
??? Why do you think that they "want to ignore" that?
She has my utmost respect for STILL going for the backflip even after she made a couple mistakes. That says so much about her that she fell, and still got back up and back to it. I can’t imagine the focus it takes to be Ice skating backwards, and then pull off a backflip and land on one foot. Amazing!!
@@joshuaosiris What do you mean?
*Utmost
@@ryanramel604 You taught me something today! Thank you
@@MarieAntoinetteandherlittlesis we’re ALL learning more every day! There’s a lot of freaking words out there!
She knew she had already lost, that's why she threw it in... These jumps were actually part of ice-skating before 1976...
Absolutely amazing! Prior to these Olympics she had ruptured her Achilles tendon and was still in a lot of pain so wasn't able to finish her planned routine yet she managed to perform this backflip landing on one blade which just shows how superb an athlete she is.
Probably landed on the non Achilles fucked leg too
She is so underrated! I don’t think the skating world treated her fairly.
3:58 They told her that a back flip is not a jump because she was landing them on both feet, so she landed this one on one foot!
Such a badass and an awesome skater!
Underated ? She was several times gold medalist of France championships, european championships, medalist of the world championships and olympics. It was wonderful as french to be represented by this great and phenomenal skater. But sometimes your opponent can win for one point. Some purist judges didn't like her gymnast style but she had all the points she deserved. Not less. When she was defeated in Japan by a japonese skater nobody talk about racism but only mistakes. France always had people of color in their teams. We can speak of the other too.
4:52 what did that asian lady throw???
Underated? She had 3 mistakes in this program _before_ she even did the illegal backflip. In otherwords, IMO, she was overrated simply because of this move.
@@briancockerham4731flowers 😂
@@briancockerham4731 Flowers. A lot of people throw flowers and stuffed animals. That’s why you see people skating all around picking up the flowers and gifts as she is taking her bows.
That backflip came after many triples. Was expecting to see it earlier when she had more energy, but to pull it off towards the end when tired is very very impressive.
I meant to mention that as well. She did the flip at end of routine when tired. Even better
and landed on one leg/foot, no less!
@@kenmoreSFI’m pretty sure for scoring purposes it can’t count as a jump when you land on one foot so that’s why she had to do it that way? Very impressive that she didn’t just abandon the idea
That’s crazy, I don’t watch figure skating but I knew she wouldn’t win based on the mistakes she had. But to come back and perform the rest of the set basically for the fans and herself is remarkable. I have no idea who won the gold that day but I’ll forever remember that backflip. 🎉
Started off with one major mistake, followed by a couple of minor timing mishaps, probably due to nerves; but as her program progressed, she achieved near perfection. Excellent performance. The thing I hate about this sport is that the judges decisions are based on their own personal preferences rather than the skater's performance, which is why I never watch these contests.
She’s spoken about this and she was actually injured so the rotational landings were too painful which is also why a lot of her follow up triple were pulled and single instead. That jump was supposed to be another triple something but it seemed like it’d be too painful so instead she did that flip which she knew she could do and it wouldn’t require the same kind of landing. I thought that was really interesting
She was in pain.
The judges were adhering to the rules: the rules that clearly stated backflips were banned.
For this being the Olympics I expected much better. It was messy for Olympic grade skater
@@AvalonDreamzshe was INJURED dude
She knew she wasn’t going to win so she yolo’d. Not only by doing the backflip but when she finished, she finished with her back to the judges.
Based af.
Can’t help but respect it
@@user-uc5dm9bm7u I have nothing but mad respect for her.
A bold one, I like it.
It’s so much more awesome than that though. At the previous Olympics, the judges had scored her unfairly low. So this time, she came in with the plan to do the flip, which was completely against the rules, and then announced her retirement immediately after. This was her revenge, and it was glorious.
My mind is blown. I've never seen anything like that before and I thought I seen everything an Olympian skater could do.🤯 Especially after mistakes were made , she turned around and made history. 😍
Mark Hamilton did the first backflip in the Olympics and won a gold medal for it. It is a rare move.
Many people booed the Judges for penalizing her. I remember watching this live, and it was amazing.
My parents explained why the backflip got panned. It’s dangerous. She threw it in because she knew the fall would cost her, she said “what the heck”
Bite me
Only any jump or flip is dangerous skating or no
@@desperatelyseekingrealnews Some are more dangerous, simpleton.
@@jonhohensee3258 Was the ad hom insult really necessary? Did it in any way enhance your point, or was it just nasty?
@@desperatelyseekingrealnews Backflip is more dangerous since there is risk of landing on your neck and on a certanly neck breaking speed too. If this element was allowed on big competiotions or be a part of standart programm we would have dozens of dead and crippled young athletes every year.
It's hard enough to do a backflip on two feet on the ground, without skates on , let alone on the ice, landing on one foot! Kudos to her! Great job you did! Just awesome!
Yess PureFact She be 💃🏾👸🏿🙏🏾❤️🔥⚡️👣☀️🌑🕳🌌
actually landing on one foot is easier and less dangerous which is why they banned it on 2 feet then turned around and allowed it on one.
I don't know why, but my brain tells me that it should be easier while moving on skates
Look at Baxter and Kubicka, they did it many years before but these moves got banned in 1976...
Kelly - Let alone?? I don't think you know what that means.
She fell hard but got back up even stronger and did phenomenal! 🎉❤ she is so inspiring
Standing ovations from the crowd. That's what really counts. (BACKFLIP ON ONE BLADE) Surya Bonaly 1998 Olympics 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
She fell.
@@jonhohensee3258Not on the backflip genius
@@republiceviil Did I SAY she fell on the backflip, little lady???
@@jonhohensee3258She backflipped
👏👏👏
I think that huge smile immediately after landing it and then the ovation from the crowd will last her a lifetime or two.❤ She was absolutely amazing.
She is amazing so glad to see someone who looks like me playing in this arena, it means the world ❤
Her performance alongside the music choice were one of the most sublime moments I've experienced while watching sports, this was jaw-dropping.
exactly, i thought the musical piece was very fitting for the performance, and to pull that backflip off the way she did, just amazing!
Agree I never like the musical choices. This was perfect
The piece when she was doing the backflip is called Vivaldi - Winter
Surya went out like a boss in her final amateur competition before turning pro. Ahead of her time pushing the boundaries in athleticism for women's figure skating. Today we see women landing multiple triples, triple combinations, and quads. Robbed multiple times of World Championships because she didn't fit the mold of what the judges wanted in a figure skating champion. This free skate wasn't about winning to her, it was about making a statement.
When she fell on the earlier jump, she knew she had no chance at a medal. And since this was her last amateur skate, she basically gave those miserable judges the finger with her backflip. I loved every minute of it.
Yeah, five-time European champion. So held down. So oppressed. She'd be doomed today because they also upped the value of footwork and spins, and at least by this point she'd never be able to rotate a quad.
@@smdrn66
ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL.
The skating world is still very racist!
And i will always remember her i was 8 when this happened i think
Still now she’s giving me chills …. She kept me up all those nights back in those days … unbelievable grace and talent … Surya and Candeloro forever
The crowd really gave her flowers. What a reaction from them. She’s truly a legend.
They give flowers to everyone, even the losers.
@@bigpauliep6992 no one talented enough to be in the olympics is ever a loser
@@julien827 Unlike the world you live in, not everyone gets a medal : ergo, they are the losers
@bigpauliep6992 That all or nothing mindset is sad. If you have kids I feel sorry for them.
@julien827 obviously in life they are winners achieving their dreams and as a skating career overall they are winners. But technically yes the people that don't win in the Olympics are losers. You people have to look at this relatively, it's not like he's putting her on the same level as someone who just lost a local competition, she still is an Olympic skater.
She was after the art, not just the prize and she was prepared to push the boundaries. Amazing and history- making!
Skippy Baxter, as a professional show skater in the 1950s, and Terry Kubicka. History-making, give me a break!
@@joshuaosiriswhat a degenerate
@@joshuaosiris Nobody cares clown. Find a life!
Not really, back in the day this was the usual thing, but dangerous moves got banned in 1976. Maybe read before writing next time...
@@joshuaosirisNotice how both of this skaters you mentioned are white men? This is technically a form of pushing boundaries. While you may not consider her to be a phenomenal skater, she is pushing boundaries because she is a black woman attempting these skills in a presumably (at that time) white/fairer skinned centered environment/sport. Even if she didn’t win as many metals, create moves, nor was the first the do backflips, especially on one foot since that seems to be a big deal…she showed little black girls and other aspiring black women skaters that they can go out there and push themselves past the limit too. From my understanding, this was not about pushing the boundaries of the skater world but about pushing the boundaries of oneself past societal and other athletic limitations. Those men that you brought up are irrelevant and are only brought up to combat the success of this woman. You can still recognize her talent or her accomplishments without diminishing the work and efforts of those who came before.
FASCINATING!!! I use to watch this girl ALL THE TIME! She was one that I thought never really got her true propers.
The way she ends facing away from the judges 🥰
She was looking at us the audience!
The fact that she waited so late into her program before attempting the flip just speaks to her power.
Part of the reason she waited so late is because she made the calculation and realized she wasn't getting gold due to her fall and then her popping some jumps (plus, her not having a straight leg in some of her spins), not unless the other skaters also fell. Which made her very memorable.
It honestly speaks a lot about her jumping strength that she medalled with a silver even after a fall
She did the backflip because she failed the regular jumps, she had lost all chance to medal at that point so she just went and did something cool at the end
you guys are making things up to romanticise them. She was a gymnast, she didn't skate well, she could just jump. in those days you had to do figures too, which was precision, she was terrible at figures, they massively overmarked her in figures so she could have a chance in the free skate. The backflip was always in her program, it is not hard, it is just dangerous if it isn't taught properly.
@@irondragonmaiden wrong, the back flip was in her program, and coming in second or third paid quite well.
After she did that backflip, her energy changed. So much celebration and activation of power. Truly amazing. Well done. 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤
She has so much courage, as year after year being criticise. She was an amazing athlete and artiste. She had grace skating on the ice. I'm glad the professionals now realized how talented she was. And like some comment mention how well ahead of her time she was.
What was she criticized for?
@@bunnyman6321 being black
Now that's perseverance! That she was able to recover from that fall at 1:07 so quickly and then still muster the confidence to land the backflip at 3:58
yeah that recovery was so swift n graceful that i think she could add in an intentional fake “fall” where she gets near or on the ice briefly and make it look gorgeous
It's called a routine.
нет корректировок по ходу прохождения, не важно как идет, всю программу нужно отработать, упорство тут не причем.
it seems like she was really hurt, too, she keeps putting her hand near her hip where she hit the ice. i can't imagine the strength it takes to finish the entire performance in pain like that, let alone one as challenging as this!
She looked so proud when she nailed that backflip 🤩
This was actually her kind of "curtsy" to the judges! For all the years of being underscored :((
How do you win Europeans five times while being underscored? The myth of poor misused Surya getting ridiculous.
Because. The Establishment didn't know how to deal with this young Exciting Lady from France.....Ice Skating these days are swayed by Wealthy countries. Across the seas. With huge amounts of Money. Invested in Their countries hopefulls. Not getting anywhere due to the Sheer Brilliance of Ice skaters from Russia. ... now with Russian Skaters. Branded as war mo gers. Governments fault nothing to do with Ice skaters. But Say. Usa. Umm yes. Their skaters are no where. So using war. They expelled Russian girls and boys. .all political. ..
@@tobyrose6906this is true
Unfortunately she land a single jump very well .
Didn’t was missing from my message .
Absolutely FABULOUS!!!All these years later still deserves a standing ovation. She definitely gets 5.5 from me💐💐💐❤️❤️
@@joshuaosirisare they paying you to say this?? Stfu already
@@joshuaosirisno one cares
Can we also appreciate how regal and ethereal her Lauren Sheehan dress was. Surya looked like a goddess.
She looked SO beautiful and confident!
Not sure which gave me more chills, the jump itself or her triumphant pose and smile after landing!
@@joshuaosirisbro you are the biggest hater
@@joshuaosirisno one cares.
@@joshuaosirisdude get a life
I remember seeing that in the Olympics!
She was Amazing! She probably knew she wouldn't win gold after falling
& went for going down in Olympic history instead!!
Kudos to your courage, Surya!!!
She only went down for culture vultures
I remember her vividly and was amazed at her strength and beauty… when she did that backflip… It had us all in awe… dangerous, yes, but AMAZING!!! Hated how the rules kept changing… she deserved those extra points!!!
Skippy Baxter, as a professional show skater in the 1950s, and Terry Kubicka.
@@joshuaosirisno one cares.
One legged back flip was great! I have never seen that before. It is amazing she has been remembered for such a move.
Glad she went for it.
@@joshuaosirisno one cares.
@@joshuaosirisu already commented that. This lady got it!
@@joshuaosiris I know nothing about figure skating, so they must be irrelevant and this woman is clearly better and more relevant than they are.
I arrived at this video because I was solving a crossword puzzle, and there was a clue that said "Move famously performed by figure skater Surya Bonaly at the 1998 Winter Olympics." It was one of 12 clues related to "back", hers being backflip.
I know zero about ice skating.Never watch it, but seeing that young woman on UA-cam performing that maneuver sent a shiver through me. It looked even more impossible than the rest of her fabulous routine. She shared her gift on the biggest stage, and now even the puzzle world salutes her!
I watched this performance on TV (live, not the replay). She was amazing. Another fact is that she finished with her back to the judges whics is sort of an IN YOUR FACE as they had not been overly kind to her. Let's face it, judging such an event includes a lot of subject judgement and it is easy to like someone and not like another and the scores often subtly reflect this.
I remember it too. Judges haven’t ever been fair to her. Poor girl. Russian hearts were always with her.
I have so much respect for this woman for the gross, overt, unfair and atrocious treatment she endured as a human being and a professional skater. I salute you Surya, you are amongst the greatest of all times!
@@joshuaosirisJesus dude, no need to comment on EVERY positive comment she gets. It’s not “because she’s black”, it’s because she’s in our time. We can relate to her and many have witnessed and experienced her because she’s much more recent.
While they may have done it first, it is very common and normal that the more recent events get recognition. There’s tons of people who’ve “done it first” in some way, but go unrecognized for one reason or another (but he WAS widely recognized for it), but maybe- just maybe- this video isn’t about him and his feats.
@@idontgiveah00t Yeah, you aren't overcompensating! I must have touched a nerve. Did what I wrote exposed something dark you don't want others to know about?
@@joshuaosiris who are these people?
@@feluxjohn3236 Thats got to hurt.
@@joshuaosirissorry but you lost me, why am I hurt?
The back flip alone should of won and a standing ovation!
Just heard an interview she gave about this performance. She was severely damaged injured and in quite a bit of pain. Beautiful routine considering…
She did all that while injured, what a phenom ❤❤❤
So glad you said that. Although she was utterly magnificent, I could tell something was just a bit off. Powerful skater!!!👏🏼
They are all in pain and tired even the winners.
@@joshuaosiristhe video is about HER, not the rest of them or skippy and the other dude you keep spamming in the other comments.
I'm glad I found this comment -- this was my first time seeing this video, and it got progressively harder to watch because it seemed like she was in pain, esp when she was on a particular leg. Near the end, I noticed she kept placing a hand on her thigh and was limiting the amount of momentum she'd gain during the last turns (not sure what they're called -- noticed it more in the last three types she ended the routine with).
The best thing about this clip (apart from the obvious) was no annoying disrespectful nattering from commentators. The audience/viewer is simply captured silently in the moment. Bravo 👏
Real fighters keep going. I've been watching figure skating since the 80s and she's one of the most underrated skaters. Backflip was amazing ❤
I remember watching this on live TV and being in awe! 🤩🥰
Something else I noticed with this video, and I'm not sure where this coverage is from, is that it was so refreshing not hearing commentators constantly talking over the performance! ❤️
@lilannegirl03
DUH, it was in Nagano, 1998. Don’t you pay attention? It’s all over the arena! 😂
@@loreleigoldman2460 I guess I wasn't super clear in my comment...I didn't mean where the performance took place, I meant I wasn't sure where the footage was from (i.e. ABC, NBC, some foreign newscast/station). Most of the time, at least in U.S. coverage of events like this--especially w/in the past decade, they have commentators talking over the performance which really takes away from it, IMO.
@@lilannegirl03❤❤❤❤
@@lilannegirl03 - It's okay, no need to apologize, we understood you. However, since I am not a figure skater nor spend time in that world, I appreciate the explanatory comments and enjoy Lupinski and Weir's professionalism.
And that was towards the end of the routine can’t imagine how much stamina that took wow my people are incredible athletes!!!!
@@joshuaosiris what’s that supposed to mean when you appreciate an athlete that represent a small percentage of people I don’t normally see do something you probably can’t do 🤦🏽♂️
@@joshuaosiris🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Who is "my people" exaclty?
@@g.w.7893 my people…EXACTLY !! The most talented athletes on earth!!
@@bronem7902 whats my people ? XD u buy a country or something ?
I remember watching this live. When she did that backflip and landed it on one foot, the whole house erupted. It was like she’d scored a touchdown at the Super Bowl. Truly an amazing moment that I vividly remember to this day.
her skating was just beautiful and elegant, her back flip was amazing and she is just so beautiful herself....
She was an amazing skater just goes to show how closed minded they are to new stuff she was changing the game making it more exciting Respect to this fine athlete
I was 8 when this was new but can you believe people used to stay Midori Ito was too 'robotic' in her prime? Imagine saying that about Yuna Kim or Evgenia!
"just goes to show how closed minded they are to new stuff" What the is this supposed to mean? Who is closed-minded? The judges that gave her 5/6 of a perfect score even though the rest of the performance was only mediocre? The audience that clapped their hands raw while cheering?
This was normal until they banned sommersaults in 1976... She knew she'd lost so she threw it in as many have done before her (Baxter, Kubicka, etc)...
She didn't change anything in the sports. Get your facts straight.
@@fullyawakened I think they are talking about how the back flip is banned...
An icon that made history books with that flip
I remember watching this on television. She looks gorgeous in that gold and mint costume!
I remember watching her routine! It was amazing! They always underscored her! Nevertheless, you can not stop greatness!
am Fwrh trg/
Skippy Baxter, as a professional show skater in the 1950s, and Terry Kubicka. Are these guys great too? I bet you won't think so!
@joshuaosiris can u stop with this?? i get that ur trying to make a point, but can we just praise someone else for once? and some people probably don't even know who skippy is. u can't get mad at people for smth some people don't even know about!!
@@joshuaosirisyou’re mentally inept and racist.
@@imaniladiJoshua’s prejudice is clearly obvious.
She was highlighted in a piece about racism in figure skating recently. I also remember watching her when I was young and not understanding why she never won. They spoke of how the judges scored her and actually frowned upon the back flip. She was an incredible athlete.
Backflip was banned for being too dangerous. Several skaters can do the move, but don't simply because it would disqualify them.
She literally fell in the beginning and they still gave her a 5/6
Oh my that back flip and landing on one foot!! Wow! Just wow! Amazing! So smooh and polished! Diamonds just Diamonds! Gold is not enough for this stunning execution!!!
for those who do not want to sit through the entire routine, back flips starts @ 3:58 to 4:01
Thanks ❤!
Huh????????? You’re disgusting! If you’re that uninterested and find it so boring to watch then why bother watching at all ?! What a rude and disrespectful comment 😡
Who on earth would scroll down through mundane comments before watching the thing, specifically created for entertainment?
Lol @@drewbewhoreal
@@drewbewhoGood point, well if if people give it enough like and make it the top comment, then it might work I guess.😅
It was breathtaking! The lack of immediate audience response hurt my heart. Her strength grace and beauty is phenomenal!🎉
She did ALL that in skates on ice ?! She deserves to win #1 FOREVER! 👏🏼 Amazing job!
Skippy Baxter, as a professional show skater in the 1950s, and Terry Kubicka. You must be angry now?
Wait till you see the winners
@@joshuaosirisyou keep pushing out those tired ayus names on EVERY comment that applauds what THIS woman did on that day. Stop being a hater and let her have the adoration she deserves for such a beautiful performance despite the fall and stumbles, she was great, let her be great. If you’re still pressed, go to THEIR videos and applaud THEM for whatever tf impressed you.
Well, she also fell all over the ice, and they judge for artistry, which… yeah, take a look at the winners.
Penalising her for the jump was bullshit, but she wasn’t going to win anyway, and on the other hand we all know how Tonya turned out… if you want to put all your eggs in the gymnastics basket, be a gymnast.
@@joshuaosirisExactly, back in the days this was the norm... But they are both white men, so...
She is still one of my favorite skaters of all time. I remember my hands sweating every time she skated.
You can tell she skates for the art and herself first, which makes her more enjoyable to watch.
I don't think I've ever seen anybody ice skate like that. That was amazing
Skippy Baxter, as a professional show skater in the 1950s, and Terry Kubicka. I bet you haven't.
@@joshuaosiriscry about it
@@joshuaosirisno one cares.
Reading that she got penalized by doing it made me sad for her. Such an incredible move landed on a single foot… Happy for the History, sad for the story :( Sending big love from Portugal!
Only 25 years ago but it has such a different feel. When they show the skater and her trainers at the end it seems so genuine and not so performative like athletes today in the age of smartphones, 24/7 cameras, etc.
She is absolutely amazing no matter what the judges think or see. The world is entertained
I remember this!!! I loved her so much! She was one of my favorite skaters!!! So resilient and daring 💖🫶💫
I actually remember watching this live and I didn't think much more of it as a cool trick. Knowing now that it has never been done again since then makes me smile.
It's never been done in competition again because it's banned. Loads of skaters do them in shows.
Loved seeing her!! They never gave her the credit she deserved!!! Loved when she ended she gave her back to the judges …. Take that!!!!
Extraordinary talent, beauty, and sweet spirit. Just seeing the video for the first time and was captivated by her energy and had to watch several times.
I cant imagine how soul breaking must be to train for years, making a single mistake and knowing its over. At least she just let loose after and did what she wanted.😊
And still doing backflips today !!!!!!!!! Bravo.
The way u can tell she started skating for herself and not the judges. She is phenomenal.
I will never forget this ever, when i watched it as a young girl. I was amazed and still am
Oh my word! The drama in this performance was out of this world!!!! Surya is a superstar!
Skippy Baxter, as a professional show skater in the 1950s, and Terry Kubicka.
@@joshuaosirisno one cares.
@@xMUNECAxYou’re annoyingly parroting this in every comment, huh?
@@cbgbstew4072 yet you say nothing about the person who is spamming about skippy Baxter and some other 🌈got, he’s the REASON I’m “parroting” that comment, now say something to him.
She may not have won over the judges, but she won in the hearts of so many fans.
As someone who roller blading and could do flips, Going forward is easy going backwards takes guts and power and talent...we do at times forget the talent that is around us everyday
@@joshuaosirisno one cares.
Such an amazingly brave young lady! She landed that back flip on ONE leg!!! 👏👏👏👏👏
She skated so wonderfully. That fall was hard to watch, but it's hard to take for granted how skilled this woman was aside from a few errors. Her composure was incredible afterward too.
My favorite skater ever because of the flip. She was also training as a gymnast but chose skating.
I've never watched ice skating, and ended up tearing up before. The way i am now. I didnt expect to get emotional at all. This was amazing & inspirational, from beginning to end. Queen & legend, and so beautiful too. 🙏👑💜💐💐💐💐💐
Another clueless culture vulture comment
She made the flip look so easy. She may not have got gold but she will be remembered for her back flip when others will eventually be forgotten.
She will be remembered for illegal move. Culture vultures dont matter, the winners will be remembered
Phenomenal. She seemed disappointed in the early fall and made sure to show that she is on a different level on the ice. 3:54 from the side. It's also at 5:46 from the front angle.
I've never watched a whole video before rushing to the comments until I saw this. The whole time I'm nervous and routing for her. When she fell my heart skipped a beat but she preserved. BEAUTIFUL!
She nailed the back flip landing on one skate and nothing else touched the ice!! Amazing!!
Nothing can take that away from her.
The fact that it was an illegal move hurt her score as well as the mistake. Her recovery was well done.
Sorry for the score.
I know nothings in ice skating but it gave me chills..
That backflip 😮😮😮 and the landing on one leg....
BRILLIANT, especially since SHE GOT BACK UP! Especially in the face of all the unfairness she endured in the sport. BRILLIANT.
This is by far one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Bravo!!!! 🎉
Happy to see this elegant and gracious lady make it to the top. It shows hard work and dedication. I also love the affection from her team who seem so close to her.
I remember watching this in real time. I am in just as much awe now as I was then.
I followed Surya's entire career and to say the skating world should be ashamed at the way they mistreated this awesome talent. Courage under fire, standing tall in the face of racism and adversity Surya is and will forever be a winner
This brought tears to my eyes. Amazing
I just love watching her skate. Beyond talented.
Skippy Baxter, as a professional show skater in the 1950s, and Terry Kubicka.
@@joshuaosirisno one cares.
@@joshuaosirisu should grow out of this kindergarten logic mguy! just because someone else is talented doesn't mean she isn't. more than one person can be talented at once! thats the reason why we have those competitions in the first place
I was a kid at the time. I loved her. So so talented. So daring but still gracious. Never saw any one like afterwards.