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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Broadcasters take heat for remarks on Weir


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Two french-language broadcasters questioned the sexual orientation of American Johnny Weir.

DAVID J. PHILLIP | Associated Press

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Two broadcasters are facing criticism for derogatory comments made about American figure skater Johnny Weir.

The Quebec Gay and Lesbian Council has demanded a public apology from French-language broadcaster RDS after one commentator said Weir hurts figure skating's image and another said Weir should be made to take a gender test. The remarks were "outrageous" and "homophobic," CQGL said in a statement on its Web site.

Weir has repeatedly avoided questions about his sexual orientation in the past, saying it's no one's business and it has no bearing on what he does as an athlete. He is aware of the comments, agent Tara Modlin said yesterday.

"The comment is so inappropriate that we will not even justify it with a response," U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun said.

Australia's Channel Nine has reportedly gotten complaints from viewers after two of its hosts joked about the masculinity of Weir and other male skaters.

MEN'S HOCKEY

CANADA GOALIE BRODEUR REPLACED

Martin Brodeur is out as Canada's Olympic goaltender.

Hello, Roberto Luongo — at least for today's qualification game against Germany.

Canada coach Mike Babcock decided to bench Brodeur — the NHL career victories leader — after he allowed four goals on 22 shots during a 5-3 upset loss to the United States on Sunday. Babcock told Luongo on Sunday night that he would play the next game.

Luongo, playing in his NHL home arena, made 15 saves while shutting out Norway, 8-0, in Canada's first Olympic game Feb. 16.

CURLING

U.S. MEN FINISH WITH 2-7 RECORD

Kevin Martin's Canadians faced an early deficit against the U.S. curling team yesterday, then fought right back to keep their Olympic unbeaten streak alive.

The favored Canada foursome (8-0) eliminated the Americans from contention with a shortened 7-2 victory in nine ends.

John Shuster's U.S. team then lost a shortened 11-5 decision to China in eight ends at night.

The Americans finished their disappointing Olympics at 2-7.

For their last game, they used the lineup — minus Jason Smith — that they plan to go with next week at nationals in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Things weren't much better.

"I'm sick of this stupid game," Shuster said after the eighth end and stuck his tongue out.

Afterward, he explained himself this way: "Every now and then you have one of those moments where it's just not fair. It was said in fun, in sarcasm."

AERIALS

TWO AMERICANS ADVANCE TO FINALS

Americans Ryan St. Onge and Jeret "Speedy" Peterson are headed to the finals in the men's freestyle aerials — and defending Olympic champion Han Xiaopeng of China and this year's top jumper, Anton Kushnir of Belarus, aren't.

St. Onge was second in qualifying, Peterson fifth. Han and Kushnir fell on their second jumps.

BOBSLED

TRICKY CURVES BEING CHANGED ON TRACK

More changes are coming to the Whistler Sliding Center, this time to shave the ice in several tricky curves in hopes of making the track easier for bobsledders to navigate.

Changes came after two sleds crashed during supplemental training, which many nations chose to skip, opting for rest instead.

The women's event is today and tomorrow, with the men's four-man event Friday and Saturday.