European champion ice dancers Oksana Domnina / Maxim Shabalin (RUS) withdrew before the event due to an injury to his knee.

Four Continents and Grand Prix Final bronze medalist Evan Lysacek withdrew before the event due to injury.

Brian Joubert the silver medalist criticized the system for producing a winner who did not complete or attempt a quadruple jump.

This set off the first of many debates on the value of the quads and what men's figure skating should be about that would culminate in the 2010 Olympic Quadruple jump controversy.

Despite popping a triple lutz at the end of her program and saving multiple jump landings, Kim earned the top free skate score of 123.38 points.