Fred's, (Used to be Barb's), Board

Many will have read of the WADA (World Anti-doping Agency) ruling to ban Russian from events for the next 4 years. The ISU has given a statement on this issue as it may pertain to their events: https://www.isu.org/isu-news/news/145-n ... teParam=15

As this news was being discussed, more troubling news about "bad behaviour" (misconduct) was being reported from the USA - this concerned French pairs skater Morgan Cipres and inappropriate actions involving photos and a 13-year old skater at the training centre in Florida where he and Vanessa James have trained. There are also investigations, purportedly by SafeSport, into the associated actions of the head coaches there - John Zimmerman and Sylvia Fontana as well as another coach. If true, this is all very bad and very sad for the young female skater. It is also concerning for the other skaters, from several nations, who train at that site.

Really sad, I agree, Elizabeth. At least these shocking allegations are being brought out in the open more often now giving hope and comfort to the affected young athletes. Finally they are being heard and taken seriously. Surely not a "nice" topic for the Christmas season but I do feel for all involved.

I really hope the offending skater is punished in a manner that will discourage any others thinking the same way. Sometimes young people aren't taught where the limits are and they wind up creating problems. There must be zero tolerance for molestations and even bullying. All skaters must be aware that their conduct has to be exemplary, and if they break the rules, (and the law), there will be consequences.

As for Russia and WADA, there is a lot of lies being put out about Russia by the U.S. government outside of sports, and a deep suspicion that the WADA ruling is more political than justified. They have had their last ruling against Russia overturned by the CAS, (Court of Arbitration for Sport), and expectations are that this one will be also.

I know nothing about this particular situation. Therefore my comments are not related to this topic specifically.

I am concerned that *young people* often look for ways to justify their actions or non-actions. If a student is
not happy with something their coach requests are they looking for ways of *getting back* at this coach?
If the student is lazy, or unmotivated to work harder - as many young kids are - perhaps they resent hearing/or being
told something negative about their attitude. If the coach is just "MEAN" and "MAKES ME CRY" (think a whiny comment)
- that is NOT a reason to complain or report a coach to *authorities*. Kids need demands and high standards for hard work,
commitment and loyalty. Those that *achieve* learn that very early. Pride sets in when they accomplish things and that makes
them demand more of themselves.
Accusing any person of *sexual advances* is a very serious topic. IT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. However, just because
an elbow or a hand accidently brushes against a boob, or bum, is not a reason to ruin a career of a coach/teacher or neighbour.
Particularly in such an intimate contact sport such as Pairs or Dance Figure skating these situations must arise all the time,
and when things happen accidently, over reacting is the worst case scenario.

Carol

I agree with your general sentiments, Carol. There have certainly been instances of deliberate damage to the career of a teacher (or coach) out of malicious or vengeful intent.

I won't go into details but this event allegedly involves the sending of an "intimate" image to an underage skater, purportedly in relation to a challenge from a coach, and with reported efforts by others to ensure a cover-up. Nothing has been "proven" but there's enough to initiate investigation(s).

You've a good heart, Carol. I admire you for your reserve and thoughtful response. I had not read the details myself, yet the feminists I know talk about the "Me Too" phenomenon and say that we have to start believing the women when they come forward and report abuse, or the abuse will continue and possibly grow because it is unopposed.

Now that we know it involved sending an under aged skater explicit photos, well that's hard to think of as an accident. The safety of the young skaters must be protected. That's the most important thing, I'm sure.

Any coach that would do this, does not have the safety of the skaters in mind. Certainly I would call him unfit to coach.

I sure hope all of this isn't happening because of some fun and playfulness on the spur of the moment, that was then taken to the
next extreme & too far by someone who has difficulty handling *innocent fun*.
Hopefully, the investigation will determine the *correct* outcome for everyone.
Carol

Going along with what others have said, I don't officially know what happened, but I do think it is a bit of a tricky situation. From what I have read elsewhere, it really should be the assistant coach who is taking the most heat here. He convinced the young women to REQUEST that Morgan send them the intimate images in question. Morgan was not the initiator of the event. Yes, if he knew they were underage, he definitely should have refused the request, but perhaps he did not. He did not touch or molest anyone, nor did he initiate the situation. I think there needs to be a distinction drawn here. He was what people call "baited" intentionally by an assistant coach who (it seems) wished to see those images himself. That action is deplorable on many levels, and is the one that should bear the most scrutiny yet we are barely hearing about it. This will be a tough one for Safe Sport to figure out I bet, and Morgan will forever have to bear that label. I am not trying to excuse him, but I do think this would not have happened without the machinations of that assistant coach.

You make a good case for it, Kevin. I still maintain that the coach is the adult in this relationship and the assistant coach needs to be investigated also. Ultimately each of us has to be responsible for our own actions. If a coach can't recognise this as a totally inappropriate action and immediately put a stop to it, possibly firing the assistant coach for suggesting it. Reporting him/her to the appropriate authorities... Skate Canada, the Police(?). Then would you want that coach for a child of yours? I wouldn't.

More news on this whole situation is still coming out, especially since one of the coaches is at the US nationals; his wife is at Europeans: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/o ... 542374002/

There has been a lot of "water under the bridge" since the news about this situation first came out.

Vanessa & Morgan officially retired, as was posted on this board at some point. She has competed on Battle of the Blades and seems to be making her life on this side of the Atlantic while Morgan is apparently back in France and there are legal issues which prevent him from returning to the USA.

Today a related announcement was made about John Zimmerman:

John Zimmerman, a 2002 Olympian and member of the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame, has been suspended by the U.S. Center for SafeSport after being accused of failing to report and covering up the alleged 2017 sexual abuse of a 13-year-old female skater he coached, and allegedly shaming and threatening the girl after he found out about the incident.

The suspension, which was announced on the SafeSport website Tuesday evening, is subject to appeal and the length has not been disclosed by SafeSport, which described the offense as "abuse of process, emotional misconduct, failure to report."

Zimmerman is prohibited from participation in any capacity in any program, activity, event or competition sponsored by, organized by or under the auspices of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the national governing body for the sport (U.S. Figure Skating in this case), or at a facility under the jurisdiction of the USOPC or USFS.

More "gory details" can be found in this article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/o ... 635608001/

An Update from the author:

Coaches Silvia Fontana and Vinny Dispenza get six months probation.

From USFS:

fred wrote: Fri Dec 13, 2019 7:02 pm You've a good heart, Carol. I admire you for your reserve and thoughtful response. I had not read the details myself, yet the feminists I know talk about the "Me Too" phenomenon and say that we have to start believing the women when they come forward and report abuse, or the abuse will continue and possibly grow because it is unopposed.

Now that we know it involved sending an under aged skater explicit photos, well that's hard to think of as an accident. The safety of the young skaters must be protected. That's the most important thing, I'm sure.

Any coach that would do this, does not have the safety of the skaters in mind. Certainly I would call him unfit to coach.

Most definitely Fred and well stated! What horrible choices were made by the individuals involved.

I'm glad to hear about your Dad, Kitty. Nice to have some good news once in a while.