Olympics|The ‘kiss and cry’ booth is really a hard bench.
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The bench doesn’t look very comfortable. It’s also not a comfortable moment for skaters awaiting their judgment.
The bench in the much-discussed “kiss and cry” area does not look very comfortable — a hard, padless block. Perhaps that’s fitting, since it’s not a very comfortable moment for skaters awaiting their judgment.
The “kiss and cry” is where skaters begin processing what just happened, where the first seedlings of regret sprout and, for a lucky few, where they’ll get the best news of their lives.
The television cameras may follow the skaters just off the ice, where they are typically greeted with a hug by a friendly face, often a coach or choreographer. Then, as the broadcast cuts to highlights of the performance, the skaters are typically handed covers for their skate blades before walking about 10 paces over to the booth.
They wait an excruciating minute or two, and for some it’s their opportunity to show a bit of personality. Madeline Schizas, of Canada, had a stuffed animal tossed to her. Some hold their phones up to the cameras, showing off photos of loved ones.
Others have more practical concerns: Upon sitting down on the bench, Switzerland’s Alexia Paganini quickly put on a jacket. It’s cold in here, and her skating outfit was not designed for warmth.
Daniel Victor is a general assignment reporter based in London after stints in Hong Kong and New York. He joined The Times in 2012. More about Daniel Victor
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