Contrary to popular opinion in this thread, I dislike her intensely. She may be a great athlete, but her persona rubs me the wrong way. Too skinny, too skanky, and a bitch in any language. Courtney and Carley, on the other hand, I find to be totally adorable. I’m shallow that way. 
I think one reason she looks skinny is that the other gymnasts (the Americans especially) still have baby fat on their faces. She’s ten years older than they are. Bitch or not, at least she’s a woman!
I just thought she looked really intense, not bitchy. But I didn’t know anything about her until last night.
Normally, I don’t like skinny women. But I gotta admit, that Svet had me drooling. I would have sex with her in an instant.
But then I rather enjoyed the tasty Miss Patterson too. Mmmmmmmmmmmm… a double helping of Commie Burgers with a side of Freedom Fries.
Now what shall I have for a drink?
Svetlana is twenty-five. So is Mohini Bhardwaj.
For the first link, scroll down a bit.
I noticed that too! I said to myself when I was watching her in the all-around last night: “I don’t think I’ve ever seen legs that skinny before in my life!”
Moving this from IMHO to The BBQ Pit.
Did anyone see that piece on her last night? She said she wanted to win a gold medal as much as she wanted to bear a child. Whoa. I’m not sure if that’s dedication or if it’s sick. She is the skinniest person I’ve ever seen who’s not actively identified as having an eating disorder. I hope retirement treats her well. She’s a tough cookie.
I just thought she looked very serious and focused. And possibly a little tense, after all, this is likely her last chance. As to her being too thin, my mom and I were wondering how that would affect her strength and power, and to me it sure seemed to. In the prelims she seemed kindof shaky and “off” on her floorX, but she seemed to have polished up all of those rough edges for the finals.
I wanted Carly to get the gold, but I was pulling for Svetlana as well. It wouldn’t have broken my heart too badly, she’s just as deserving inho.
She looks pretty intense, but I’m not going to comment on her personality.
She is, however, frighteningly thin. When I saw her I immediately thought “Celebrity Death Pool.” There is a difference between thin and emaciated.
And two of the American gymnasts are in there mid-twenties and they look great, so it’s not a “baby fat” thing.
That’s a lousy photo of her on the NBC site, though she is so skinny that if the camera adds ten pounds her real weight must be in the negative numbers. Feh! Retirement and some borscht with extra sour cream and she’d get that problem cleared up.
I’ve seen clips of her in past years and she looked much more healthy. Her hips were wider and her legs very well formed and muscular and her face was full. I suppose it’s possible she lost weight intentionally in an effort to make her body lighter so as to compete with much younger girls, but she looks anorexic. I hope she isn’t.
I find her extremely appealing and attractive in the “I’d be gay for her” way. I think it’s precisely for the reasons mentioned above. Bitchy, skanky, hard working, tough cookie, long legs…
Is it an absolute necessity to crack on her about her weight? She’s thin, people. She’s a very driven Olympic athlete who may or may not have a weight problem. Let’s just concentrate on her performance.
I had no idea what you guys were talking about, so I googled her. I don’t want to post any adult links here, but there’s titty shots of her all over the net.
Some cold water perhaps? The alluring Miss Patterson is, in fact, sixteen. 
I love Svetlana too. Freaking intense she is.
“I would like to win a gold medal as much as I would like to bear my own child.”
Somehow I can’t envision those words out of anyone else’s mouth, especially not one of our American gymnasts (who by the way are all very talented, hard-working and tough, just not tough in the sense that Svetlana comes across as being tough).
I was disappointed when I read about an American coach, whose name escapes me, dealing Svetlana a really shitty backhanded compliment - something like “It’s nice how she can keep up with all these younger girls, she just keeps puking her guts out or starving herself to death or whatever it is she’s doing, that’s dedication.” Paraphrased.
And yes, she was a centerfold in Russia’s Playboy. After she got famous, even.
Well, I can’t speak for everyone, but I’m not “cracking” on her about her weight…I’m *concerned *about it. She appears to have lost a dramatic amount of weight over a relatively short period of time, and given that I’ve taken a liking to her because of her spirit, elegance and spunk, I would hate to think she has developed an eating disorder. It’s natural to be concerned if someone you’ve taken a liking to appears to have a serious problem…and it’s hard to just benignly enjoy their performance when their every move only seems to highlight that problem. Anorexia is notoriously difficult to overcome and I’m just saying I hope she hasn’t fallen prey to it.
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 wasn’t cracking on her weight. Like StarvingArtist, I’m concerned for her. I’ve been a fan on hers for at least eight years, but the difference in her appearance is truly shocking and worrisome to me.
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.
I think she’s still attractive, but she did look better at the games four years ago, when she had a slight bit of meat on her bones.