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World Skating Federation

Q&A with Ron Pfenning

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WSF and ISU

Peter M.: What do you feel will be the key elements in gaining eventual governing control of Figure Skating from the ISU?

Ron: The key elements will be the belief in and commitment to the fundamental principles the WSF is being founded on and as expressed in the Constitution. This belief and commitment must come from athletes, member federations and, most importantly, fans and sponsors. The IOC, the world-wide skating family and media must hear our voices and be willing to lend support. For sure, the media needs to continue to report these important issues. When the WSF has endorsements and commitments from the athletes, federations, skating associations and public opinion, we will be able to achieve our goal of IOC recognition.

Anonymous: Many USFSA members are very concerned about what they consider a clear conflict of interest regarding your involvement in the planning of WSF while still maintaining your official position within the ISU. Did you believe this created a conflict of interest? If not, why not? If so, how does it affect an organization whose goal is to bring integrity back to our sport & what steps will WSF undertake to prevent reoccurrences of situations like this?

Ron: If, as you say, many USFSA members feel I had a conflict of interest, a moral one if not a legal one, I must accept their opinion and it saddens me to hear this. I know that up to the day I resigned from the ISU Figure Skating Technical Committee, I was 100% committed to my obligations as a committee member. I fulfilled all my committee responsibilities, advocated for my position on technical matters, completed all paperwork, studied and analyzed referee reports that were sent to me and worked to move our sport forward on technical matters. Since my election last June the FSTC has met twice and I am sure my committee colleagues will tell you I participated fully. I conducted two ISU seminars as the moderator, and participated in a third, and am certain those in attendance will acknowledge my commitment to the participants and the seminars curriculum. The functions of a technical committee are very different from serving on the Council; the Council is responsible for the running of the Union, establishing policies, and operating in a political arena. Power and authority rests with the Council, not with any Technical Committee. When would have been the right moment for me to resign from the ISU FSTC? Some may say the moment the idea of the WSF was first conceived; and others say the moment the WSF became known to the public. The go, no go, decision to announce the WSF was taken just 2 days before the press conference, the day I actually submitted my resignation. That was my decision and I apologize to those who feel the timing of my resignation was inappropriate.

Dr. B.: According to your FAQ: "The sanctioning authority currently rests with the individual national governing bodies. Provided a national governing body sanctions the WSF event, their skaters can participate without putting their Olympic eligibility in jeopardy." Don't you think that the ruling powers in the ISU will find a way around that rule PDQ, and will declare that any skater who shows disloyalty to the ISU by participating in a WSF event will be banned from ISU sanctioned events forever?

Ron: That certainly is a possibility and a reason why the WSF needs to find ways to protect Athletes and members from punitive action being taken by the ISU. Courts can issue injunctions prohibiting such actions.

Debbi: Do you feel that the ISU would be any better off if Cinquanta stepped down as president and was replaced by David Dore? Would this improve the integrity of the ISU or do you think it would be in the same position as now?

Ron: Should President Cinquanta step down he would be replaced by ISU First Vice President Gerhard Zimmermann of Germany, a speed skater. I believe that initially there would be a positive reaction to the change in leadership. However, the serious problems within the governance of the ISU -- e.g., dominance of speed skating, powerful political blocs, no athlete and coaching representation on the Council or Technical Committees, no term limits for elected officials, lack of willingness to sufficiently punish officials convicted of serious misconduct, no Code of Ethics or Code of Conduct, no true accountability of Judges/Referees, lack of transparency in the judging and result calculation system, etc. -- require changes the ISU Members may not want to address (some members are very comfortable with the status quo) and significant changes will be very difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.

Dr. B.: The Danish Figure Skating association recently announced its support for the goals and principles of the WSF. They also said that more than half of their budget comes from the ISU. The tone of the announcement seemed to be that they are seeking a better offer. Do you think that it will come down to who has the deeper pockets (= who gets the fat North American television contracts)? How are you situated for a money war? Can you spend the ISU into oblivion?

Ron: Most members of the ISU are dependent on their annual contribution from the ISU for survival. With the anticipated reduction in television revenue in the new ISU contract beginning in the fall of 2004, it is simple economics that with less revenue there will be less money to give out. ISU Officials have stated that Members should anticipate cuts in their contributions and in prize money to athletes. Should the WSF have similar revenue, I believe we can maintain the current level of contributions and prize money; we would not have to share the revenue with speed skating and our administrative costs would be significantly lower. It is anticipated that under the WSF, the members and athletes would not have to incur a reduction in funding because of reduced revenue from television.

Anonymous: What would be the incentive for any federation to transfer allegiance from the ISU to the WSF without agreements from other federations to do so as well?

Ron: The incentive is to show the sporting world that when there is a choice, the federations want to be part of the effort that cleans up Figure Skating by establishing integrity, honest and fair competitions. Federations want to be part of a governance structure with geographical representation that has athletes and coaches participating at all levels. All Figure Skating federations want to finally get their fair share of revenue that is generated through WSF events. Federations, free of the fear and intimidation being held over their heads, are willing to demonstrate their courage and commitment by switching to a new international federation that does have a Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct, because they know it is the right action to take for the sport and for the athletes.

Anonymous: I was wondering how you would handle countries that have not been a part of the ISU yet? What advice would you give them if they are in the process of application but have not yet become a part of the ISU - (in respect to the WSF)?

Ron: The WSF would welcome skating federations that are not yet part of the ISU. Article 6 of the WSF Constitution states the requirements for membership. Additional information and inquiries may be obtained through the WSF web site.

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