# That Svetlana Khorkina looks like a bitch. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 20, 2004, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738 "2004-08-20T16:46:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![furlibusea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@furlibusea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furlibusea)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2004, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/41 "2004-08-21T14:02:51Z")
I wondered about whether she could keep that up as an anorexic, but she did look shakey in some places that I don’t remember the old Svetlana being shakey. I also used to know some balarinas who were at the very least bolimic. It was always a tricky game they played. They knew to a carot stick what they could eat but sometimes they would kind of miss and pass out, never while the adreniline was flowing though. ---
**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/42 "2004-08-21T16:13:25Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > What this thread needs is a good sports nutritionist. In my non-professional opinion, Svetlana couldn’t perform gymnastics at the Olympic level if she had a true eating disorder. She simply wouldn’t have the energy. My opinion is non-professional as well, but eating disorders have been a huge (no pun intended) problems among gymnasts for years, many of whom have been able to compete at the Olympic level, so I don’t think it’s at all out of the question for Svetlana to be anorexic or bulimic. She looked horribly thin, and looking at old pictures of her confirmed that she has lost weight in recent times. [This site](http://www.mirror-mirror.org/athlete.htm) gives some very interesting, and frightening, statistics about gymnasts and eating disorders and some very well-known names are mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2004, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/43 "2004-08-21T18:40:11Z")
> [@AwSnappity](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally Posted by Jman > > Yeah, I agree on the bitch part, but I have to say, the whole time I was thinking “dear God, I’d like to go offer her a muffin!” Eat something! Sorry, I find that kind of skinnyness absolutely disgusting. I find it almost repulsive. I just can’t see how anyone can find that attractive. Ugh. > > > > Jman > > Dude, fuck you. It’s one thing to say, “Whoa, Svetlana is looking pretty thin.” It’s another thing to classify a body type as “disgusting” and “repulsive.” This is just as crass as saying an overweight person is disgusting and repulsive. You may certainly feel that way, and no one’s forcing you to be attracted to anyone. But when you start calling names, questioning people who have different tastes than you, dismiss a possible eating disorder with a simple “eat something” request…_that’s_ crossing the line, in my opinion. Svetlana may or may not have an eating disorder, but there _are_ women who are naturally that thin–they could eat whatever they want and still remain thin. You don’t have to be an asshole by labelling them all “disgusting,” “repulsive,” and practically unworthy of anyone’s attraction. I second the motion. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/44 "2004-08-22T01:07:55Z")
> [@stately plump buck mulligan](#): > > Some cold water perhaps? The alluring Miss Patterson is, in fact, sixteen. Legal in more than half the states, plus Puerto Rico and DC. My totally untrained speculation is that after the royal screwing she got in Sydney (the vaulting apparatus set to the wrong height, that threw her to the floor and left her so shaky she fell off the bars) she has spent 4 years being excessively hard on herself, and it shows. Add to that probably more than a faint notion that after the Khorkina age may come the final crash-and-burn of the Russian gymnastics program. Talk about weight on her shoulders. As for her expression/demeanor, hey, doesn’t bitch stand for Being In Total Control, Honey? I’ll just get out of the way and repeat to myself _‘Khorkina is always right. I will listen to Khorkina. I will not ignore Khorkina’s instructions’_😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@Cerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerri)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/45 "2004-08-22T01:30:14Z")
She kind of reminds me of Uma Thurman, as far as facial structure. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/46 "2004-08-22T02:12:44Z")
> [@Geobabe](#): > > My opinion is non-professional as well, but eating disorders have been a huge (no pun intended) problems among gymnasts for years, many of whom have been able to compete at the Olympic level, so I don’t think it’s at all out of the question for Svetlana to be anorexic or bulimic. She looked horribly thin, and looking at old pictures of her confirmed that she has lost weight in recent times. > > [This site](http://www.mirror-mirror.org/athlete.htm) gives some very interesting, and frightening, statistics about gymnasts and eating disorders and some very well-known names are mentioned. Now _THAT’s_ fighting ignorance! Great post and cite. ---
**Author:** ![Jman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jman/32/4416_2.png) [@Jman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jman)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/47 "2004-08-22T18:36:39Z")
> [@AwSnappity](#): > > But when you start calling names, questioning people who have different tastes than you, dismiss a possible eating disorder with a simple “eat something” request…_that’s_ crossing the line, in my opinion. You know what? I completely agree with you. I looked at my comments today, and I did cross the line, big time. It was certainly rude and thoughtless to classify those things that way, and I’m sorry for that. I certainly do find that unattractive, but I even went too far when explaining my own thoughts. For some reason, the possibility that she might have an eating disorder didn’t cross my mind, and I certainly hope that isn’t the case. Regardless, my comments were out of line, and I don’t know why I was in such a mood about it. ---
**Author:** ![dre2xl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@dre2xl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dre2xl)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/48 "2004-08-22T18:51:43Z")
> [@AwSnappity](#): > > You don’t have to be an asshole by labelling them all “disgusting,” “repulsive,” and practically unworthy of anyone’s attraction. Dude, she was skinny before. She’s a disgusting skeleton now. THEN: [http://krant.telegraaf.nl/krant/focus/os2000/teksten/os2000.index.turnen.html](http://krant.telegraaf.nl/krant/focus/os2000/teksten/os2000.index.turnen.html) NOW: [http://www.netglimse.com/cgi-bin/celebs/celebview.pl?q1=svetlana\_khorkina&PicNo=1](http://www.netglimse.com/cgi-bin/celebs/celebview.pl?q1=svetlana_khorkina&PicNo=1) This is the “thin” equivalent of the disgusting 700-pound poeple who haven’t left their bed in years. I don’t think many Dopers would object me to calling the 500-pound woman who had to be surgically removed from her couch disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/49 "2004-08-22T19:26:21Z")
Svetlana appeals to me because she doesn’t try to hide her ambition behind sugary fake smiles and cutesiness. She is what she is and doesn’t care who knows it. I bet that kind of attitude wouldn’t fly in America, that she’d be told to plaster on a big old smarmy grin and cover her cheeks with glitter make up. On that level I admire the candor of her face. OTOH, I don’t know if I’d want to hang out with her; she seems like she’d be difficult to get along with. But who knows? Count me as someone who’s worried about her weight. This is a woman who is totally driven to win a gold medal, and I don’t doubt she’d induce vomiting or starve herself if she thought it’d help her succeed. For someone who is so competent at her sport, she consistently underperforms at the Olympics. Maybe it’s nerves or maybe it’s something else. That’s why my wish for her is a happy and healthy retirement, so she can replace her drive for the gold with something healthier. Maybe then she’ll _want_ to smile. ---
**Author:** ![Jenaroph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e8c25b/32.png) [@Jenaroph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jenaroph)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/50 "2004-08-22T19:39:40Z")
> [@dre2xl](#): > > This is the “thin” equivalent of the disgusting 700-pound poeple who haven’t left their bed in years. I don’t think many Dopers would object me to calling the 500-pound woman who had to be surgically removed from her couch disgusting. You might be [surprised](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=270955). Note the complete lack of the word “disgusting” in the thread; rather, most people’s reactions were more along the lines of “How sad, how horrible.” I see the same concern here for a famous person who appears to be sinking into physical problems. I wouldn’t belong to a message board that lacked compassion. I’m sorry to hear that you think you do. ---
**Author:** ![dre2xl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@dre2xl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dre2xl)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/51 "2004-08-22T20:01:08Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > You might be [surprised](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=270955). Note the complete lack of the word “disgusting” in the thread; rather, most people’s reactions were more along the lines of “How sad, how horrible.” I see the same concern here for a famous person who appears to be sinking into physical problems. > > I wouldn’t belong to a message board that lacked compassion. I’m sorry to hear that you think you do. Not mutually exclusive. It is both disgusting and a tragedy. Disgusting because anyone could let herself get into that condition (and I’m assuming that there were “enablers”, in this case, the couch woman’s caretaker and Svetlana’s coach). A tragedy in that both are suffering. Point being, this is not a case of where Dopers are unjustly calling a naturally skinny woman disgusting out of jealousy or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![dre2xl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@dre2xl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dre2xl)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/52 "2004-08-22T20:04:29Z")
> [@Jenaroph](#): > > You might be [surprised](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=270955). Note the complete lack of the word “disgusting” in the thread; rather, most people’s reactions were more along the lines of “How sad, how horrible.” I see the same concern here for a famous person who appears to be sinking into physical problems. > > I wouldn’t belong to a message board that lacked compassion. I’m sorry to hear that you think you do. “Disgust” and “tragedy” are not mutually exclusive qualities. You can feel repulsion and compassion at the same time. I feel sorry for the couch woman, I feel sorry for Sveltana, and I’m repulsed by both at the same time. Point being, this is not a case of where Dopers are unjustly labelling a naturally skinny-but-healthy woman anorexic or disgusting. Svetlana’s current weight is neither normal/natural nor healthy. ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2004, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/53 "2004-08-22T20:45:43Z")
Mighty big of you to admit you were out of line, **Jman**. That takes balls and I appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/54 "2004-08-23T02:19:17Z")
I was originally surprised when I saw how much skinnier and less muscular she was than the other gymnasts. I got concerned when I saw her wobble on the beam, and when I heard she fell off the bars. Whether it’s anorexia or not, she has lost a lot of muscle and her gymnastics has definitely been affected by it. She just looks so FRAGILE. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/55 "2004-08-23T03:39:32Z")
And now we have proof that she IS a bitch. Or at least a really terrible loser. > [@](#): > > "I’ve seen a much tougher opposition than her. Let’s see how long she can remain on top. Can she keep going and compete in two more Olympics like myself? > > “No, well, you better write that Patterson is a great champion and she has a great future,” she added sarcastically. Nice lady. [Link](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/gymnastics/3588776.stm) She also stormed out of the room after fucking up on the uneven bars, not even waiting for the rest of the competitors to finish. [Link.](http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics_2004/gymnastics/3589334.stm) ---
**Author:** ![LilCutie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@LilCutie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilCutie)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/56 "2004-08-23T03:50:30Z")
Also, according to [this](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5763628/) article, she didn’t stay around for Carly’s routine Wednesday night either. I think she’s a bit too stuffy for me. I read in another article that I can’t seem to find right now, that she has been known to be not-so-gracious. Last year at the World Championship Carly Patterson had approached her at a podium, and Khorkina pretty much brushed her off by flipping through a magazine that she had modeled in. I’ll look harder to find that article and I’ll post if I do. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/57 "2004-08-23T04:00:12Z")
She’s officially a Bitch. > **[Russian gymnast: Finals 'decided in advance'](https://www.espn.com/olympics/summer04/gymnastics/news/story?id=1865326)** > > Russia's Svetlana Khorkina, who was second to American Carly Patterson in the women's all-round gymnastics competition, has accused the judges of robbing her of the gold medal and said "everything was decided in advance." ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/58 "2004-08-23T04:43:07Z")
I know this may be a little hard to understand, but I don’t care if she’s a bitch in the same way I didn’t care if Frank Sinatra was a jerk. She worked her ass off in a drab, dreary and rusty warehouse of a gym and became a beautiful ballerina-like gymnast…and one of the best – if not the best – in the world. Like Sinatra, she developed a style all her own and made everyone else look like second best. And besides, I don’t really know that “bitch” is the appropriate word. Haughty, perhaps…and maybe a bit of a poor sport…but that’s all. I haven’t seen where she’s been mean to anyone, and to me that falls short of the “bitch” appellation. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/59 "2004-08-23T04:46:22Z")
This quote from the BBC story florred me. Khorkina said, > [@](#): > > These competitions have shown the sport needs a lot of changes. It should be judged primarily on grace, elegance and beauty rather than simply on mechanic tumbling." Elegance? Beauty? Honey, this ain’t the Miss Universe pageant! ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2004, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738/60 "2004-08-23T05:50:42Z")
The [Grey Lady](http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/20/sports/olympics/20roberts.html) weighs in. > [@](#): > > Svetlana Khorkina hardly spoke at all as she overemoted like a silent film star while glaring and sulking as usual, even topping herself by disdainfully sticking out her tongue at one score. That’s about as strong as that paper allows itself to get. :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/that-svetlana-khorkina-looks-like-a-bitch/260738.md?page=4)