Japanese figure skating team to train in Armenia for 2014 Winter Olympics

[gsk8]

YEREVAN. – The National Olympic Committee of Armenia (ARMNOC) hosted, in capital city Yerevan, Japan Figure Skating Federation President Hidehito Ito and Federation Manager Tatsuro Matsumura.

[dorispulaski]

Now that is an interesting choice
Is Yerevan, Armenia, in some way nicer (or more reasonably priced) than Sochi itself? I see the appeal of the rink, but apparently the scientific-medial sports teams will be there too?

Before long, Japan will send a huge skating delegation to Armenia. Aside from skaters, Armenia also will host scientific-medical sports teams and news reporters from Japan. - See more at: http://sport.news.am/eng/news/19938/....rhoTOvvE.dpuf

[bigsisjiejie]

Skating is not the driver. Japan is looking for new places to invest in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Armenia needs investment. The two countries have been courting each other fairly heavily in the last year or so. The cultural, sports, and scientific delegations/exchanges are part of the outgrowth of this. Consider that these are low-risk and friendly ways to "date" each other, prior to any big capital investment heading over. The fact that Armenia is proximal to Sochi is very convenient for the future Japanese Olympic team, but certainly not a necessity. They're only 5 time zones apart.

[dorispulaski]

bigsisjiejie, now that's very interesting.

I'll bet a cookie that this article may have something to do with the desirability of trade with Armenia for Japan:
http://www.hyeetch.nareg.com.au/repu...dustry_p3.html

Armenia has a strong mineral resource base of copper molybdenum ores. Explored deposits of the world renowned Kadjaran copper molybdenum ores are a potential source for the next 100 years The Kadjaran mining and extracting factory is the largest enterprise in the mining industry. Connected with the indicated type of copper molybdenum ores are the explored and estimated reserves of molybdenum. the substantive part copper reserves (90 percent). rare and dispersed elements (rhenium, selenium, tellurium, bismuth. and germanium), and certain parts of accompanying precious metals of gold and silver. Molybdenum and copper are the main components of the complex copper molybdenum ores. The content of molybdenum varies from 0.001 percent to 0.1. The content of copper traces is to 0.1 percent. The deposits of copper belonging to proper copper include about 10 percent of explored reserves with 80 percent of copper and copper pyrites ores. In the ore veins of the Alaverdi deposit, the content of copper reaches 12 to 20 percent and more. The year 2000 is the target date for the restoration of the Alaverdi copper works plant and the construction of a new modern plant in Kapan.

After all, this has been going on for quite some time

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/bu...anted=all&_r=0

Chinese customs officials are halting shipments to Japan of so-called rare earth elements, preventing them from being loaded aboard ships this week at Chinese ports, three industry officials said Thursday.

[plushyfan]

Of course Doris..politics, always politics...

[sky_fly20]

when I read Armenia on the headline, I dont mean in a bad way
but I just immediately thought of politics

I think we all agree politics is dirty, lol

[lcd]

Ummm. It could also be a smart move to have a training base in proximity and time zone for such an important event.

[Olympia]

Also, just thinking of skating, it's a huge advantage for Armenian skating. If the Japanese skaters don't take exclusive possession of a skating facility, they will serve as wonderful role models for Armenian skaters and coaches, and this might give Armenian skating a bit of a boost.

[dorispulaski]

This effect does happen In 1980, when the Olympics were in Lake Placid, a young US skater named Scott Hamilton did some demos with kids in Vermont, a place where skating had been more or less about hockey with a little speed skating thrown in, with a few young girls doing figure skating now & again. The training was reported in the Burlington Free Press. Among the kids inspired was the guy who later coached Ross Miner when he was young.

This sort of activity has great results.

There's also the huge effect of Peggy Fleming touring China & doing skating workshops back in the day.