Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club

[StitchMonkey]

Question for those who might know: Has Boyang even BEEN to TCC? Like for a visit or anything? Evgenia certainly didn't, I don't think, but I think she was set in her plans already.

I found it odd that he was in the area to get choreography from Lori but didn't even pop in for a visit...that seems to be a thing to do if you were planning to train there.

It does but then again TCC keeps things pretty quiet. I would not take a lack of reporting as evidence he was not there.

 

[xeyra]

It's important to note Brian said he talked briefly with Boyang during the show they both did in Korea, after the arrangement had already been discussed with CSA, and didn't seem to come out of that thinking it wouldn't happen. So what did change meanwhile, one wonders.

 

[el henry]

It does but then again TCC keeps things pretty quiet. I would not take a lack of reporting as evidence he was not there.

Then again (trying to keep it light here), just *let* Boyang try to sneak into TCC while Jason and his trusty phone are there.

Not happening

 

[Mrs. P]

It's important to note Brian said he talked briefly with Boyang during the show they both did in Korea, after the arrangement had already been discussed with CSA, and didn't seem to come out of that thinking it wouldn't happen. So what did change meanwhile, one wonders.

Oh good points. Honestly the radio silence is too much.

 

[Henni147]

Oh good points. Honestly the radio silence is too much.

We just have to keep our eyes open for a Chinese flag-upgrade on THE WALL
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk7fGfijvwF/?taken-at=15677665

Your prediction: What's going to happen first?
Boyang arriving at TCC or Yuzu and Jason doing selfies together?

 

[eaglehelang]

So, now, TSL is saying it's possible Boyang isnt going TCC?

As for those speculating that its Boyang who doesnt want to go, I find it hard to believe. Unless.....unless, one of Boyang's parents is sick/hospitalised, need constant care.
Fully funded athletes dont get to choose, they are told if and when they get to go, who is their coach. Either that, or they're out on their own.

Note this is not limited to China but other countries where a particular sport is fully funded. Summer sports being more prominent.

This appears to be something figure skating fans still dont get, perhaps due to the nature of funding for many skaters.

 

[eaglehelang]

It's important to note Brian said he talked briefly with Boyang during the show they both did in Korea, after the arrangement had already been discussed with CSA, and didn't seem to come out of that thinking it wouldn't happen. So what did change meanwhile, one wonders.

By right there should be an organization/authority higher than CSA. If for some reason, the top decision makers decide not to release the funds to CSA(or complain its too expensive) for Boyang's training, then Shen Ye has a big headache.

It sounds conspiratory but this sort of things happen before.

Evgenia and Jason are different. They and their sponsors are paying for most their training right? They didnt need to obtain funding approval from their respective governments.

 

[theharleyquinn]

I'm definitely starting to suspect some funding issue as well. They could've projected the budget for TCC before but maybe it came into question in the past few weeks.

 

[LucyH]

By right there should be an organization/authority higher than CSA. If for some reason, the top decision makers decide not to release the funds to CSA(or complain its too expensive) for Boyang's training, then Shen Ye has a big headache.

It sounds conspiratory but this sort of things happen before.

Evgenia and Jason are different. They and their sponsors are paying for most their training right? They didnt need to obtain funding approval from their respective governments.

I think both Evgenia and Jason are funded by their federations. But they also have corporate sponsors that also pay for their training.

 

[cruzceleste]

I'm definitely starting to suspect some funding issue as well. They could've projected the budget for TCC before but maybe it came into question in the past few weeks.

Do you think that could be an issue, surely he could get sponsors in China.

As for the ones saying that athletes that get full funding don’t get to pick where they train, I only can talk for the Japanese case that is what I have read; but they get options and they choose from those. Maybe Chinese federation is more strict but if they are serious about letting they skaters grow in the international level I think they would let the athletes choose.

 

[andromache]

I think both Evgenia and Jason are funded by their federations. But they also have corporate sponsors that also pay for their training.

Jason probably gets a lot less funding than Evgenia (though that could've changed since Evgenia is training abroad now). USFS = not much funding, even for top skaters. I also imagine that Evgenia has more in sponsorships than Jason due t her overall success and because skating is more popular in Russia than in the US. I would assume that Jason/his family pay for the majority of his skating expenses on their own.

 

[Danibellerika]

Question for those who might know: Has Boyang even BEEN to TCC? Like for a visit or anything? Evgenia certainly didn't, I don't think, but I think she was set in her plans already.

Yeah Evgenia is very much in the "*I* want to train there" category. Boyang OTOH, could be in the "*they* want me to train there" category. Especially considering how Med approached Brian herself vs. the fed approaching Brian on Boyang's behalf.

 

[TGee]

I'm still in the wait and see camp...

China is not going to say anything publicly when the arrangements with Canadian authorities (i.e the visa) are not in place.

And I find it surprising if Boyang was very uneasy about coming to TCC. While the training approach is different, he will be less culturally apart from his home than most of the international skaters at TCC...

Toronto has a very large Chinese community. About 12% of the population identifies as being of Chinese background. There are TV and radio stations in Mandarin as well as supermarket chains. And the Chinese government has a large consulate general to support Chinese citizens living in Toronto for education or work.

And as Boyang has visited Toronto to work with Lori, he likely has a good awareness of this.

 

[Mrs. P]

Jason probably gets a lot less funding than Evgenia (though that could've changed since Evgenia is training abroad now). USFS = not much funding, even for top skaters. I also imagine that Evgenia has more in sponsorships than Jason due t her overall success and because skating is more popular in Russia than in the US. I would assume that Jason/his family pay for the majority of his skating expenses on their own.

Zhenya definitely has more major sponsors with Nike and P&G. Jason has a few. I noticed that he had Deloitte and Wintrust hashtags in his IG post yesterday. Both companies sponsored him last season, but maybe those sponsorships are continuing. He also did Stars on Ice and did a few skating camp/speaking things this summer. I don’t think that (and whatever he gets in reimbursement from USFS) covers everything, but it certainly helps lessen whatever he/his family is paying.

We just have to keep our eyes open for a Chinese flag-upgrade on THE WALL
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk7fGfijvwF/?taken-at=15677665

Your prediction: What's going to happen first?
Boyang arriving at TCC or Yuzu and Jason doing selfies together?

Good one! I’m going to say Yuzu and the selfies.

 

[StitchMonkey]

I believe Froozer is also still sponsoring Jason. He has mentioned them at least once since being at the TCC.

 

[eaglehelang]

I'm definitely starting to suspect some funding issue as well. They could've projected the budget for TCC before but maybe it came into question in the past few weeks.

The part I did not state is there could be political reasons for not releasing the funds. Cos that would sound too conspiratory for you guys.
Not necessarily lack of budget. Not necessarily issue with ISU either.
Just the internal politicking is enough.

For Boyang's sake, I hope this is not the case.

 

[andromache]

Zhenya definitely has more major sponsors with Nike and P&G. Jason has a few. I noticed that he had Deloitte and Wintrust hashtags in his IG post yesterday. Both companies sponsored him last season, but maybe those sponsorships are continuing. He also did Stars on Ice and did a few skating camp/speaking things this summer. I don’t think that (and whatever he gets in reimbursement from USFS) covers everything, but it certainly helps lessen whatever he/his family is paying.

Thank you for the details! I wasn't actively trying to downplay the support that Jason receives, only to point out that it is unlikely to be comparable to what Evgenia does due to nationality and relative fame/success.

 

[Mrs. P]

Thank you for the details! I wasn't actively trying to downplay the support that Jason receives, only to point out that it is unlikely to be comparable to what Evgenia does due to nationality and relative fame/success.

I didn’t think that at all, just wanted to provide information. I agree that Zhenya likely gets more funding overall cause of the big name sponsors and she is doing a lot more shows.

Zhenya definitely has a bigger fan base. Being her buddy at TCC is good marketing for Jason.

(Not saying that’s why he’s friends with her, but it doesn’t hurt, lol.)

As for political reasons to not give Boyang the money for TCC, that would be so strange, I mean Boyang is the ONLY prospect for China in the men with Han Yan taking a break this season. There are some promising juniors, but why go with the two in the bush (I.e. the men training with Raf) and not the one that’s already a world contender.

 

[saturdaysun]

Yes, Boyang is funded by his fed. I don't know why people think this means he has zero say in his own destiny. He is their top and only competitive male skater. Sure, the fed could just pull funding - as it appears they did to Han Yan, and others - but if they cut him loose, they have no one. Maybe they could threaten to pull funding if he disagrees with something they want him to do, but he could probably call their bluff on that if it really came down to that.

It doesn't do anyone any good to force him to go to Canada if he really strongly doesn't want to go, as the whole point is for him to thrive and improve. This is all for him and his ability to get his country medals. The idea that he wants to go, his coaches want him to go, Orser wants him to go, but only some shadowy fed conspiracy is keeping him from doing so is far-fetched and, as far as I can tell, not based on anything, rumor or otherwise. Have there been "insiders" claiming this is some kind of conspiracy?

 

[eaglehelang]

Do you think that could be an issue, surely he could get sponsors in China.

.

Boyang would still need to get approval, regardless.

The fully funded sports of my country, the athletes dont get to pick, including the top performers. Its not half as strict as China.
Figure skating on the other hand, is self funded here. Nobody cares if the skater changes coaches every year.