New President of Russian Figure Skating Federation Selected Today, Plus a Surprise

[Joesitz]

Blazing Blades Commentary

Pre-Sochi politics within Russia's Figure Skating Federation: The Presidential Election Set Up!

Piseev Gets New Title - Retains Power

This paragraph justifies the establishment of the Director-General, but who are the membership? Can anyone answer without a guess?

Prior to the election the membership approved the new position of RFSF General Director, seeding it all the powers of the Presidency, another dubious move thus relegating any newly elected President into the role as a figurehead puppet. With the powers to be in the Russian Govt ready and willing to scapegoat whomever rules the roost within it's Sports Federations if they do not bring home Gold Medals from Sochi, no one in their right mind should want to hold the Presidency of a winter sports federation

[colleen o'neill]

Lucky Star - I know there are those who just see "Eville Russia vs. good N.Ameica" , just as there are those who see "eville N.America trying to undermine good Russia." But I don't believe that is the general outlook here. I'm sure I speak for many when I say it certainly isn't my outlook.

Skaters of many nationalities including Russian skaters may have been held back unfairly if the politicking has been as all-pervasive as suspected...while the movers and shakers enjoy prestige and perks such as all expense paid trips all over the world and who knows what else.

If this is only to be a game of musical chairs , and Russian observers are thinking it's a farce, it's not good news for anyone.

[Mathman]

This paragraph justifies the establishment of the Director-General, but who are the membership? Can anyone answer without a guess?

According - ahem -- to Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Figure_...tion_of_Russia

the Russian Skating Federation (like the ISU) does not have individual members. Its governing body is the "Conference" that meets every two years. Each of the 36 regional associations appoints a representative to the Conference. Matters are transacted by a vote of these representatives.

Between Conferences the elected officers run the show pretty much however they want.

[seniorita]

I read somewhere that Anton S -when he retired from candidate when he learnt the changes - said that he does not want to just "carry around the suitcase of the General Director" in his role as President. I found it funny at that moment but now sigh..I wish someone younger was in the lead now, not necessary Anton but at least someone with fresh ideas, a program, a charisma to communicate and will to work. Speaking a foreign language would not harm as well. And change all RF from scratch. I m sick of Pisseev's face and his corrupted clows everywhere.

by the way I just saw rusian federation site is goldskate.ru

[wallylutz]

by the way I just saw rusian federation site is goldskate.ru

They are run like a corporation where skaters are more or less like employees. They are used to make money for the company while most of their expenses are paid. Given such focus on profits, it would seem the word gold is a most fitting description.

[Ptichka]

I read somewhere that Anton S -when he retired from candidate when he learnt the changes - said that he does not want to just "carry around the suitcase of the General Director" in his role as President.

Let's not lose site of the theatrics here. Everyone "in the know" knew what Piseev's role was going to be. The journalists knew it - so I'm certain that Sikharulidze knew it as well as anyone else. His withdrawal from the race was timed perfectly for maximum press coverage. Yes, it's sad that it happened, but keep in mind that his "Oh, I just found out what the corrupt deal is going to be" spiel is somewhat disingenuous to say the least.

[seniorita]

Actually this is what I read in kommersant, and I found it a funny comment as I said, I didnt imply poor Anton he didnt knew etc.. I m sure there is behind the scenes that we never find out anyway.
If journalists knew about it as well as everyone beforehand, was it any reaction on papers etc before the actual day of elections?just wondering...

[KKonas]

What's the difference with now days situation when Lakernik is a head of singles and pairs, Gorshkov is a head of dance and Shekhovtsova is a head of judges board?

Under the proposed new rules before the Congress, the Tech Committees and its Chairs will become even more powerful than they are now.

[Ptichka]

Seniorita, first of all I read two journalists (Werner and Vaitsekhovskaya) who're always very critical of Piseev and Co. Here's an essay of Vaitskekhovskaya's on Piseev I translated some time back - http://ptichkafs.livejournal.com/44329.htm, it goes a bit into Verner's relationship with Piseev as well. The thing is, though, that they don't have that much trust in Anton's abilities either. They seemed to think that someone like Ovchinnikov (a very serious candidate) could've been great, but they also think that the president now will become the scape goat after Sochi, so no one honestly wanting to do good by Russian fs would put their heads into that noose.

------------------
Some more bits from Vaitsekhovskaya’s blog (not verbatim):
The conference came up with new rules. Everyone could familiarize themselves with it [the day before the voting], but, for example, Anton Sikhuralidze didn’t deem that necessary. Or perhaps he had no time. Then he announced, “Unfortunately, we only found out about the rules this morning…”
As to Gritschuk, she came to Moscow with an advisor (though the advisor introduced herself as a “speaker”). Playing the role of this advisor was Gritschuk’s own aunt, living in Germany, who told me that Oksana had successful experience as a coach, choreographer, manager and leader, all acquired in America, and that they were therefore confident of their victory. Oksana was disqualified because according to the rules, a private individual cannot nominate themselves. Only an organization that’s part of FFKR can do this. It was said that she didn’t get a chance to finish speaking about her program. As someone removed from Russian reality, Gritschuk didn’t understand the concept of being “applauded away”. She honestly thought everyone was applauding her program. It was sad.

[KKonas]

they also think that the president now will become the scape goat after Sochi, so no one honestly wanting to do good by Russian fs would put their heads into that noose.

Perhaps Gorshkov didn't have a choice? Piseev might have told him he wouldn't support him to make room for Alla to head the IDTC?

[Ptichka]

Perhaps Gorshkov didn't have a choice? Piseev might have told him he wouldn't support him to make room for Alla to head the IDTC?

Here is Vaitsekhovskaya's take on it (in answers to questions on her blog): Gorshkov is a very good person. I think he just doesn't like to say "no".

[seniorita]

They seemed to think that someone like Ovchinnikov (a very serious candidate) could've been great, but they also think that the president now will become the scape goat after Sochi, so no one honestly wanting to do good by Russian fs would put their heads into that noose.

So i see, it is like Piseev did them a favor, nobody wanted to play their heads, so a new post of the Director was created to have Piseev again in charge whose head has been tested in Vancouver anyway and obviously survived. By Sochhi Piseev will be like 75 years old??He will probably retire after anyway.
I dont know if Anton would have the abilities, I just said someone more fresh and with will to work would be a good image, to be honest for me anyone but Piseev would do. It would be risky but at least there would be a hope, now it will be same old stuff and with his power rénovée.

[Fashionista]

Under the proposed new rules before the Congress, the Tech Committees and its Chairs will become even more powerful than they are now.

How exactly they become more powerful?

[riardo]

I don't think the situation is so clear cut as some posters here make it look like.
There have been many prominent members of Russian Figure Skating Federation (such as TAT) who are very vocal in their support of Pisseev. Of course there were those who are not happy and the most vocal ones already posted here but the other side also exists. I would not reduce this to old-Soviet dictatorship jokes. There is a lot of pressure on Figure Skating Federation to succeed in Sochi and people are against big, drastic changes at this stage.
I also would not be too critical of Alla Schekhovtseva. In fact, from what I heard she is very much respected in International judging community as a great specialist and even more then at home where she is known to be biased against certain Russian skaters who happens to be not from her school.

[colleen o'neill]

Well if she's 'known' to be biased in Russia, why shouldn't the international community be a bit worried or suspicious ? This is hardly reassuring.