2020 ISU World Championships - Montreal - 16-22 March - OFFICIALLY CANCELLED

[Elizabeth]

Although there are no entries shown yet, this is the link to the site where they will be appearing, by discipline, in due course: http://www.isuresults.com/events/fsevent03111969.htm

[Elizabeth]

Some news about the ISU Skating Awards show at the conclusion of Worlds and the associated gala: https://montreal2020.com/elvis-stojko-a ... ng-awards/






More news about the show - the entertainment acts: https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/news ... teParam=15

[Elizabeth]

A reminder that this is being broadcast by CBC TV - be sure to click on the appropriate "tab" for the CBC Television coverage: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/wint ... broadcast#

Kurt Browning will be one of the commentators.

[Elizabeth]

Despite the performance of Madeline Schizas, national bronze medalist, at the Challenge Cup over the weekend, Skate Canada today named our national champion, Emily Bausback, to be the 2nd member of the team for Worlds, along with Alicia Pineault. I expect that Madeline will be named as an alternate but that was not mentioned in the press release: https://skatecanada.ca/2020/02/skate-ca ... pionships/

Meanwhile, earlier today the rest of the members of Team Canada (including a pair of ice dance alternates) had some practice time on the Bell Centre ice:https://www.instagram.com/p/B89cBLIFHQL ... 8hpbal2p13

[Elizabeth]

The entries, by discipline, have now been posted by the ISU: http://www.isuresults.com/events/fsevent03111969.htm

As I expected, Madeline Schizas is listed as an official alternate.

[Elizabeth]

The time and practice schedule for Worlds is now online: http://www.isuresults.com/schedules/WC2 ... hedule.pdf

[fred]

You're a rock, Elizabeth. Thank-you for all you do.

[Elizabeth]

You're a rock, Elizabeth. Thank-you for all you do.

Thanks, Fred

[Elizabeth]

A World's preview from CBC's Scott Russell: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/wint ... -1.5479684

I spotted a "partnership error" in the Montreal Milieau section and messaged Scott about it - perhaps it will be fixed by the time you read it....

=======================

Edited to add that Scott thanked me for the message and the error has been corrected

[Elizabeth]

"Home court advantage" article from PJ Kwong: https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/wint ... -1.5482245

Worlds will provide a "glimpse of the future" in CDN skating: https://montrealgazette.com/sports/new- ... -on-worlds

[Elizabeth]

For those wondering...

Update on #WorldFigure from @SkateCanada
The event is scheduled to take place as planned & Canada’s borders remain open for international travellers. As of today, the Public Health Agency of Canada has still assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for CAN

[Elizabeth]

Update from Skate Canada on Twitter:

Ice dancers Laurence Fournier Beaudry & Nikolaj Sorensen have withdrawn from the world championships due to Nikolaj recovering from surgery. To replace, Carolane Soucisse & Shane Firus, Canadian bronze medallists will join Team Canada in Montreal.

[Elizabeth]

Skate Canada has posted a press release about the opening ceremonies for Worlds: https://montreal2020.com/skate-canada-a ... hips-2020/

This appears to have been written some time ago since it talks about it taking place in a "few short weeks" rather than days.

There is understandable concern about cancellation of the whole event based on COVID-19 but it still seems to be a "go" based on this CBC article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal ... 16?cmp=rss

[Judy]

wonderful to read that the opening ceremony will include many of our favourite skaters. Suspect those of us who have been watching figure skating for many years will enjoy it more than the show that is replacing the traditional gala.

Regarding COVID-19, it’s good to know that the athletes will be monitored, but what about the 17,000 fans from 50 countries?

[Elizabeth]

Judy - if they are able to leave their countries &/or enter Canada, those travelling from outside the country are being monitored on arrival, some even before departure from their home countries. Extra measures such as temperature scanning may be put in place - this has been used at two other recent ISU events internationally. Those being accredited (skaters, judges, coaches, media, etc.) will have specific screening.

I'm sure everything is still being studied/planned as situations evolve but they are operating as if everything will be a "go" unless public health authorities step in. This seem to be confirmed in this article: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/ ... e-skating/

Everyone has to take precautions every day, especially while travelling these days. We are still in flu season, as well.

By the way, according to the mother of one of the Russian skaters, many of the international skaters are already in Canada, actually in Montreal, and some already in the official hotel. I understand, from one of the ISU judges, that all of the Italian skaters are already in Canada - that's a good thing as Italy is being "shut down" tomorrow!

[Elizabeth]

It appears there will be news later today: https://www.isu.org/isu-news/news/145-n ... teParam=15

10 March 2020 Lausanne, Switzerland

As per the ISU Statement of March 2, the ISU, in consultation with the competent local authorities and the organizing ISU Members, is continuing to closely monitor the coronavirus developments and their impact on the upcoming ISU Events that at this time remain scheduled as planned (ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships in Nottingham, Great Britain on March 13-14, 2020, ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal Canada on March 16-22, 2020 and the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Lake Placid, USA on April 3-5, 2020).

As to the ISU World Figure Skating Championships scheduled to be held in Montreal on March 16-22, 2020, the ISU learned that the Quebec Health Ministry has scheduled a meeting for this morning Quebec time to discuss all major events in the province. The ISU will not fail to communicate and comment on conclusions of this meeting as soon as publicly available.

It took another day but, in the end, the Quebec government announced that Worlds was being CANCELLED. More information is in a separate thread on this situation.

[Elizabeth]

The latest statement from the ISU: