Too close? Social media reacts to figure skating brother and sister

The highly acclaimed Team USA figure skating duo have come under scrunity over their closeness.

"A lot of our success comes from how close we are and the bond that we have".

"A lot of our success comes from how close we are and the bond that we have". Source: AP

Audiences are raving about Team USA's figure skating duo, Maia and Alex Shibutani. The Shibutani's impressed during their ice dance routine at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, taking out the bronze medal.

Officially known as the ‘ShibSibs’, Maia, 23 and Alex, 26, are not husband and wife - they're brother and sister. 

That's caused some mixed reaction amongst audiences, who liken the sport to ballroom dancing.

The question now on some people's minds, 'would you team up with your brother or sister for ice dancing?'

Some suggest the siblings are 'too close'.

Another person even suggested the commentators should stop referring to the duo as a "couple".

Ice dance is often looked upon as a romantic sport, with one such rule being that partners must not separate except to change dance hold.

But the pair say they try their best to avoid overally romantic routines - for obvious reasons. And they count their familial relationship as a bonus, saying it stretches them to become more inventive with their routines. 

"I think a lot of our success comes from how close we are and the bond that we have,” Alex Shibutani told Reuters.

"I think what we have is very unique."

Teacher Jenny Williams acknowledged their effort to be as unromantic as possible.

Journalist Robert Samuels suggested brother-sister couples are "not unheard of".
And overall, most people seem indifferent about how close they are, with an overwhelming amount of support flooding in for the siblings.
Some are even envious of the Shibutani's.

 

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2 min read

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Updated

By Samantha Beniac-Brooks
Presented by Yang J. Joo
Source: SBS News

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