RIP Toller Cranston

Insidious Von

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Sep 12, 2007
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I'm not surprised, his life wasn't easy.

His formative years came at a time when gays were routinely persecuted and/or lynched. He probably should have won the gold medal at Innsbruck but no one rewards someone attempting to break a barrier. The stress of breaking the colour barrier eventually caught up with Jackie Robinson who died at 53. At least Toller made it past 60.

RIP brave soul.
 

SkyRider

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Mar 31, 2009
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Rest in peace. 65 doesn't seem that old anymore.

I use to watch figure skating (for the women). So, I saw Toller skate on occasions as well. Not sure if being gay was the only reason that he didn't get the scores he deserved. Europeans cheat and the Eastern bloc voted as a block at the time.
 

Ben Hogan

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Aug 31, 2004
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Rest in peace. 65 doesn't seem that old anymore.

I use to watch figure skating (for the women). So, I saw Toller skate on occasions as well. Not sure if being gay was the only reason that he didn't get the scores he deserved. Europeans cheat and the Eastern bloc voted as a block at the time.
In the era that Toller skated, compulsory figures were part of the equation and it certainly affected his chances and those of skaters such as Karen Magnuson. The Europeans always did well in this area.
 

Celticman

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In the era that Toller skated, compulsory figures were part of the equation and it certainly affected his chances and those of skaters such as Karen Magnuson. The Europeans always did well in this area.
Exactly
 

GameBoy27

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Nov 23, 2004
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Certainly one of the best. RIP

 
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nobody123

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I'm not surprised, his life wasn't easy.

His formative years came at a time when gays were routinely persecuted and/or lynched. He probably should have won the gold medal at Innsbruck but no one rewards someone attempting to break a barrier. The stress of breaking the colour barrier eventually caught up with Jackie Robinson who died at 53. At least Toller made it past 60.

RIP brave soul.
The general assumption (correct or not) is that an absurdly high percentage of male figure skaters are gay. So much so that it was something of a trope even when Cranston was in the sport: if you were gay you were either a hairdresser or a figure skater. Cranston wasn't "out", nor were any other gay skaters at the time. So... no. He wasn't attempting to break any barriers. Still a hella skater though, and by all accounts a great person off the ice. RIP
 

SkyRider

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