On Edge Backroom Dealing, Cocktail Scheming, Triple Axels, And How Top Skaters Get Screwed

In the tradition of great exposes comes the first ever tell-all of the world of figure skating. Bribery, drug abuse, sexual affairs, power-hungry scheming-they're all here, as witnessed by a former Olympic-level judge and competitive skater. But On Edge is so much more than just a peek behind the curtain: here is a courageous call to fix a flawed sport. Figure skating is the second most watched sport on television after NFL football, commanding lucrative endorsements, fame, and infamy for its star performers. But its beauty and artistry stand in stark contrast to the sordid dealings taking place off the ice-particularly among the judges. The world caught a glimpse of this corruption at the 2002 Winter Olympics, when the French judge in the pairs-skating event tearfully confessed that she'd arranged to "give" her vote to the Russians. The result was an unprecedented double gold medal-one to the Canadians and one to the Russians. As On Edge shows, until the system itself is fixed, future controversies on an even bigger scale are sure to follow.Jackson, Jon is the author of 'On Edge Backroom Dealing, Cocktail Scheming, Triple Axels, And How Top Skaters Get Screwed', published 2006 under ISBN 9781560259534 and ISBN 1560259531.