This is where we discuss figure skating and skating related items. How did you favourite skaters perform, and so on? However we never speculate on the private lives of skaters, like who might be going out with whom, because that is poison and is not tolerated here. A good guideline is that if it's not publicly announced, in the papers etc. then it's probably best to leave it alone. Is it a gray area? Then write to me and ask.
ISU Statement on the Ukrainian crisis - Participation in international competitions of Skaters and Officials from Russia and Belarus
01 March 2022 Lausanne, Switzerland
The ISU Council reiterates its solidarity with all those affected by the conflict in Ukraine and our thoughts are with the entire Ukrainian people and country. The ISU Council reaffirms its full solidarity with the ISU Members in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Speed Skating Federation and the Ukrainian Figure Skating Federation. The ISU Council will evaluate possibilities for swift humanitarian assistance to its Ukrainian ISU Members.
The ISU Council carefully evaluated the IOC Statement of February 28, 2022 as well as appeals received from ISU Members and others calling for a ban on the participation of Skaters and Officials from Russia and Belarus in ISU Events and other International Skating competitions.
Following the IOC recommendation, in order to protect the integrity of ice skating competitions and for the safety of all the participants of international ice skating competitions, the ISU Council based on Article 17.i.q)i) of the ISU Constitution, agreed that with immediate effect and until further notice, no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in International ice skating Competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU Events. The same applies to Officials listed in the respective ISU Communications and/or Regulations under Russia and Belarus.
The ISU Council will continue to closely monitor the situation in Ukraine and its impact on the ISU activity and will take additional steps if and when required.
Last edited by Elizabeth on Sun Jun 11, 2023 11:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
Travel restrictions in place all over Europe, especially France, would undoubtedly have prevented these athletes and officials from getting to Worlds in France later this month. There were some who doubted that the ISU would actually make this move, despite the statement from the IOC and the actions from other international sports federations. Some thought they might just cancel the World Championships.
This will definitely create a much more open field of competition at Worlds for those who are able to compete.
It is definitely sad for those athletes within Russia and Belarus who do not support Putin's moves but I am relieved that the ISU didn't just cancel Worlds.
Fully agree, Elizabeth. It will have a different feel without the dominating skaters from Russia. Looking forward to the last big event of this Winter season.
You may see the reference to the World Synchros in Skate Canada's statement, there had been a statement from the ISU that pertained to that event, especially with respect to possible quarantine requirements and security: https://www.isu.org/isu-news/news/145-n ... teParam=15
An extract:
Besides the developments in the Ukraine, the ISU is continually monitoring the pandemic situation and in particular the entry conditions in countries hosting ISU Events, as well as travel restrictions around the World. The ISU is currently faced with a critical situation for the holding of two ISU Championships in Canada during the ongoing season, namely the ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships, scheduled to be held in Montreal on March 18-20, 2022 and the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships, scheduled to be held in Hamilton on April 7-9, 2022. Since the beginning of 2022, the Canadian Government has imposed a requirement that only foreign nationals who are fully vaccinated with a World Health Organization approved vaccine are permitted to enter Canada without a 14-day quarantine. Despite all possible efforts by the Canadian ISU Members (Speed Skating Canada and Skate Canada), it has been confirmed that there will be no exemption program in place for sporting events moving forward.
Even though the current restrictions might concern only a few ISU Members participating in the above-mentioned ISU Championships in Canada, it nevertheless results in an unsatisfactory situation for those ISU Members. Until today, the ISU Council had adopted a policy that does not allow the staging of ISU Championships under these circumstances and before the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis, the ISU Council was prepared to consider re-allocation of the above-mentioned Championships to other ISU Members. However, due to the Ukrainian situation and related serious uncertainties, such relocation on short notice has become extremely complex and difficult.
Considering these truly extraordinary and exceptional circumstances the Council agreed that exceptional solutions must be applied. The Council consequently decided that:
The planned ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships 2022 in Montreal, CAN and the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2022 in Hamilton, CAN are maintained.
The ISU will financially support teams that have team members who do not fulfil the Canadian entry/vaccination requirements and who are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine.
The ISU will financially support organizing ISU Members for additional expenses arising from either the pandemic and/or additional security requirements.
The ISU Council strongly emphasizes that this is an exceptional decision based on the truly extraordinary and exceptional circumstances resulting from both the pandemic and the Ukrainian crisis situation.
Wow, what a relief that the Worlds won't be cancelled. I'm thinking to ban Russia and Belarus is the right decision, but I feel for the athletes who train their whole lives for such moments. I wonder when our world will "get back to normal". I think it will be some time before Russia is allowed to compete in any type of sporting event. I'm sure the antics at the Olympics won't help either.
"At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more, When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death, And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.” (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis)
The ongoing ban on the athletes has apparently not prevented coaches from these countries, particularly Russia, from being behind the boards during various competitions over the past season. We are also seeing a number of skaters who formerly competed for Russia making moves to other countries and being accepted by the skating federations in those countries, a recent example had Diana Davis & Gleb Smolkin being approved to represent Georgia. Diana is the daughter of coach Eteri Tutberidze.
