>These guys are really nowhere - they're supposed to show technique (the number and type of jumps they do are counted and scored) and they're also scored for "artistic impression". This was very interesting to watch in the late 60s and 70s, while they were still inventing new tricks, and every now and then you'd see something that was never done before. Nowadays, all I see are meaningless steps taken to gain momentum for the next jump.

Another interesting question is, who actually comes up with the routines that these people do? I'm not sure wether or not those 2 skaters that one Gold actually wrote the routine they did. If they didn't design it, I would give the medal to whoever did since its the author's artistic impression that is being judged.

Same with gymnastics. I doubt their routines, wether on the floor, beam, or bars are written by the 14 year girls that perform them and win medals for them. I could be wrong though.