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Further to the reports of fighting which has erupted between Armenian and Azerbaijani troops along the Armenia–Azerbaijan border, the ISU is closely monitoring the situation and is in contact with the organizers of the upcoming ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating, scheduled to take place in Yerevan/Armenia on September 22-24, 2022.
After evaluation of the information available, the ISU will communicate shortly on whether the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating event can be maintained as planned.
This is a very understandable decision but sad for those who have been involved in the planning, etc. as well as for those who were scheduled to participate.16 September 2022
Lausanne, Switzerland
The ISU Council has followed with concern the recent developments at the Armenian/Azerbaijan border and protests in Yerevan. The ISU Council also noted that some of the participating ISU Members have already decided not to attend the event.
Considering the prevailing uncertainty with safety implications that are impossible to predict, considering that this is a Junior event involving minors and mindful of security being the top priority, the ISU Council concluded the event cannot be held as planned.
The Council is evaluating a postponement to a later date and/or the re-allocation of the entries to the remaining Junior Grand Prix events of the season for a decision to be communicated as soon as possible.
The ISU regrets this unfortunate situation and thanks the Figure Skating of Armenia for their efforts to prepare the event and for their understanding for this decision.
Skate Canada Statement on Cancellation of Yerevan Junior Grand Prix
September 16, 2022/by Skate Canada
OTTAWA, ON (September 16, 2022) – The International Skating Union (ISU) has announced that the fourth stop on the Junior Grand Prix circuit, scheduled to take place in Yerevan, Armenia from September 21-24, 2022, has been cancelled due to safety concerns.
Skate Canada was set to send a team of six athletes, comprised of two men and two ice dance teams, to the event and will be working with the ISU to find solutions for the athletes impacted.
Yikes! It's understandable that they've postponed (edited) due to the situation, but disappointing just the same!21 September 2022 - Lausanne, Switzerland
The ISU Council evaluated the potential options to replace the cancelled ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating, Yerevan (ARM) – September 21-24, 2022 (see ISU Statement of September 16).
One option considered was to hold the event in Yerevan on October 19-22, 2022 as gracefully proposed by the Figure Skating Federation of Armenia. However, while the situation at the Azerbaijan/Armenia border and in Yerevan seems calm, the ISU understands that the situation remains fragile and new eruptions of fighting and/or protests in Yerevan cannot be excluded. Considering this uncertainty, the Council therefore concluded that such short-term postponement remained risky and this option was not pursued. However, subject to a normalization in the area, the Council re-affirmed its intention to allot another ISU Junior Grand Prix event to Armenia as soon as possible. The ISU Council reiterates its high appreciation to the Figure Skating Federation of Armenia in preparing the event and for their understanding of the decision taken.
The Council further evaluated the allotment of the cancelled Armenian Junior Grand Prix event to other locations but due to logistical challenges and the time pressure, no economically feasible alternative was found.
The Council therefore decided to re-allocate the competitors’ entries of the cancelled Armenian ISU Junior Grand Prix to the next upcoming three Junior Grand Prix events, namely in Gdansk, Poland on September 28 – October 1, again in Gdansk, Poland on October 5-8 and finally in Egna-Neumarkt, Italy on October 12-15, 2022. The respective organizers have signaled their availability to cooperate with the ISU in accommodating the additional entries. The concerned participating ISU Members are being urgently contacted by the ISU. The ISU thanks the Polish and Italian organizers as well as the concerned participating ISU Members for their flexibility and cooperation.