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World Skating Federation

Q&A with Ron Pfenning

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Barriers and Conflicts of Interest

Fiona M.: How does the World Skating Federation plan to deal with the very significant structural barrier of persuading national skating federations to leave the ISU, when non-membership in the ISU currently means no participation in Worlds, Olympics, or any other ISU-sanctioned event (and potential access to revenues from those events)?

Ron: The WSF will not ask any federation or athlete to take actions that would prevent their participation in the above-mentioned events. As you may be aware, ISU Officials and Member federations are currently being intimidated and threatened by the ISU. Under this veil of fear, few individuals feel free to speak out. They know what has already happened to individuals willing to stand up to the ISU. The WSF must work within the legal systems available to us, be the voice of reason, and not forget who the real stakeholders of our sport are - the athletes. The WSF will not ask any ISU member federation to place their athletes in jeopardy. The WSF will be there to offer change and hope for the future of Figure Skating. The media must be kept informed as to what is happening and keep the issues before the public. We can only take one step at a time, the journey will be long, and we must not lose hope, for our cause is just and right.

Dr. B.: Skate Canada has just today come out in opposition to your organization, saying in part: "The WSF appears to be intent on maintaining many of the regulatory processes that Skate Canada believes contribute to the current failings of international skating." Do you have any idea what they are referring to, or why they think that the ISU is better prepared than the WSF to address them?

Ron: I am not sure what "regulatory processes" they are referring to. There are few similarities between the two organizations. The WSF does have a Council, comprised of 17 individuals, all of whom are committed to Figure Skating; those elected by the entire Congress are the President, Vice President, the Chairs of the three Technical Committees and the Ethics, Disciplinary and Appeals Committees. The six geographical representatives are elected by their respective zone. The five athletes are elected by the athletes, and the coach representative on the Council is elected by the coaches. All Committee members that represent a geographical zone are elected by their zone, and the athlete and coach are each elected by their respective constituents. There will be term limits (2 four-year terms) and terms will be staggered so that not all members are elected at the same election. All of the above is very different from how the current election process is structured. Changes to the WSF Constitution may only be considered once every four years, Technical Rules may be changed by the respective Technical Committee with the approval of the Council, the Council is totally removed from all disciplinary actions, and there are other fundamental differences between the two organizations. In the WSF, members of the Technical Committees will be prohibited from refereeing; and during any one season, a qualified official may either judge or referee, but may not do both. There are too many significant differences between the ISU and WSF to list here; one can read our Constitution on www.worldskating.org and find other differences.

Nicole M.: Why do you think the IOC and its president are reluctant thus far to consider the WSF as a viable leader for the sport of Figure Skating?

Jennifer W.: What is the WSF's position on handling national organizations, such as Skate Canada, that do not endorse the WSF? What impact do you anticipate that having on the IOC recognizing the WSF as the international governing body of figure skating?

Ron: We have yet to prove ourselves to the IOC. We need to demonstrate that we are capable of running world-class competitions. The IOC will need to see that it is the WSF who best represents the Athletes and member federations for the sport of Figure Skating. The WSF must also be successful in showing the IOC why the ISU no longer fulfills the International Federation requirements stated in the Olympic Charter with respect to Figure Skating and its athletes.

Icepotto: Do you not find it a conflict of interest for WSF supporters (e.g., Dick Button, Scott Hamilton, etc.) to act as media commentators for ISU-sponsored events such as Nationals, Europeans, Worlds, Grand Prix? How do you intend to convince viewers that these individuals, who no longer support the organization which is paying them a salary, are acting in good faith? Will you ask them to resign their commentating for the ISU events?

Ron: It is not a conflict of interest for athletes to voice their opinion about what is best for the sport. Dick Button and Scott Hamilton made it very clear at the WSF press conference that they were speaking as individuals and not as representatives of the television networks or any corporation that may employ them. Each of them does in fact ". . . support the organization which is paying them a salary . . . ": remember, they are paid by television networks, not by the ISU or the IOC. As professional journalists, I am confident that each of them can continue to do an outstanding job in their commentary of skating events, regardless of their personal opinions.

Anonymous: Since USFSA is hiring a professional parliamentarian to run the Governing Council meeting, what steps are WSF going to take to make sure that their voice is heard at GC and not silenced through parliamentary maneuvering?

Ron: In recent years Carolyn Kruse has been an excellent parliamentarian for the Association so I don't fully understand the need to hire one. Regardless of who the parliamentarian is, I am sure the rights of the delegates and athletes to vote, speak, move motions and amendments, introduce new business matters, etc. will be upheld. I will be a delegate from the Yarmouth Ice Club and expect my delegate rights to be protected and respected.

Jim M.: Given that life is over for any competitor who admits to membership in WSF, your splendid cause, what plan do you have for the time after 5-1-03 when the ban takes effect?

Ron: The May 1st date is an arbitrary date set by Skate Canada. It will be interesting to see what action is taken when one of their athletes, coaches, officials or members expresses support for the WSF. They have certainly threatened serious consequences; does the penalty really fit the crime? Why is Skate Canada protesting so strongly, to go so far as to deny their members the right to speak, which goes against what a democracy is founded upon? It seems unbelievable to me that the WSF is in such a position as to warrant such drastic actions. Maybe they too realize that the WSF is the only real hope for the future. After May 1st the WSF will continue to build its federation, to solicit support, and go forward to convince the Figure Skating world that the future of our sport requires significant changes and those changes are only available through the WSF.

Dr. B.: Mr. Pfenning, when the ISU first announced its existence and purpose I was very excited about its prospects. With a core of the U.S., Canada and Japan, with support from Australian, Great Britain and a few other European countries, you were in a good position eventually to supplant the ISU. Now that Skate Canada has come out so strongly against the WSF, will you have to rethink your strategy? Is there any prospect of forming a rogue Canadian Federation to challenge Skate Canada and join the WSF?

Ron: I don't believe we have to rethink our long-term strategy just because Skate Canada has taken the stand they have. Circular Letter 583 sent out by the ISU on March 31, 2003 to its Members states, "that Article 17, para. 1 g) provides for suspension of a Member which has violated the Constitution or Regulations." The fear and intimidation tactics exhibited by the ISU have certainly caught the attention of its Members and they in turn are reacting. Perhaps the Executive Committee of Skate Canada wants to show everyone their unflinching commitment to the ISU. That's somewhat understandable, but what is not understandable is their need to use the same fear and intimidation tactics in threatening their athletes, officials, coaches and members for voicing any support for the WSF. Bill Warren, a lawyer who is a past president of the Canadian Olympic Association, said that while Skate Canada is probably within its rights to refuse to deal with people who join an opposing group, he said it seems "a bit oppressive" to punish people who merely endorse it. "If I speak out and say these people [WSF] have some good ideas and the ISU should look at these ideas, should I be blackballed?" Warren said. "I think that's going a bit too far. It almost goes to the issue of freedom of speech." Perhaps it will take legal actions to prohibit the ISU and its Members from taking punitive actions, such as sanctions or expulsions. I can't comment on your suggestion of a rogue Canadian Federation but I do hope, for the good of the sport, that Skate Canada comes to its senses before they take any actions against its athletes, officials, coaches or members.

Mary: How do you respond to Skate Canada or any other ISU group publicly denouncing your organization?

Paula: It is in evitable that you will (and are) meeting with resistance from various federations. However, I felt that Skate Canada's "denouncement" of WSF was rather fierce and seemed somewhat threatening in tone. What do you attribute this sudden and negative response to in terms of politics, money, and/or their relationship to the ISU?

Ron: One way the WSF must respond is to point out the factual errors in Skate Canada's public releases pertaining to the WSF and certainly continue to point out why the WSF is better for the athletes and the only real hope for the future of Figure Skating. Skate Canada understands the reality and difficulty of making real changes in the ISU; I suspect that there may be alternative motives for taking such a dogmatic stance and voicing blind allegiance and loyalty. The current VP for Figure Skating in the ISU is a Canadian and the former top executive of Skate Canada. The technology for the whole new judging system is being developed in Canada, and of course Ted Barton, guru of the ISU instant replay system, mister video man for the ISU and the spokesperson for the new judging system, is a Canadian. Skate Canada has a lot to lose should they sever their current relationships. It is conceivable that Skate Canada's primary concern is not their athletes, coaches, officials or members.

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