2021 Worlds are still on

[rollerblade]

Apart from EU* residents, which non-essential travelers can fly into Sweden atm? Last I read, there are only 6 other countries not barred, and it's in effect until March 31.

There are even a couple EU countries (Denmark+Norway?) that are on the no-no list too.

 

[sillylionlove29]

Holding worlds is risky. Some countries you can’t leave. Some you can’t get back into. Even the US State Department is saying all international travelers to the US, whether they are citizens or not, have to have a negative covid test in order to enter the US. And they have very specifically stated of you test positive, you are stuck overseas and your expense. If I was an athlete I would no risk leaving. Just my opinion.

 

[Amei]

Interesting everyone just brings up Rostelecom Cup, probably because it supports their narrative, but I don't think I've seen any mention that Russia has had test skates plus what 6 other competitions (5 cup events, Nationals) for the most part with juniors and seniors across 4 disciplines, plus spectators at most of those competitions without mass breakouts of Covid. The Rostelecom cup was likely due to the banquet that was held, all the ISU needs to do is not hold any banquets and set forth rules that there not be any large gatherings that are outside of the actual competition. Its absurd to me that there people actually advocating for athletes to be banned from worlds from the start; if a coach or Fed official violates whatever protocols the ISU sets for then expel them from the competition, but let their athletes who are abiding by the guidelines for the competition compete; if an athlete violates protocols then expel them.

 

[4everchan]

Interesting everyone just brings up Rostelecom Cup, probably because it supports their narrative, but I don't think I've seen any mention that Russia has had test skates plus what 6 other competitions (5 cup events, Nationals) for the most part with juniors and seniors across 4 disciplines, plus spectators at most of those competitions without mass breakouts of Covid. The Rostelecom cup was likely due to the banquet that was held, all the ISU needs to do is not hold any banquets and set forth rules that there not be any large gatherings that are outside of the actual competition. Its absurd to me that there people actually advocating for athletes to be banned from worlds from the start; if a coach or Fed official violates whatever protocols the ISU sets for then expel them from the competition, but let their athletes who are abiding by the guidelines for the competition compete; if an athlete violates protocols then expel them.

How do you know that? It is certainly possible that many spectators got contaminated... it's not because the athletes did not get ill that it didn't happen to the spectators... and yes, I do agree with you that a banquet was not a great idea, and perhaps the cause for the athletes and coaches getting sick... anyways... I was not one of the ones bringing up Rostelecom... nor Russia... so I will let others express themselves on that topic.. all I can say is that many times, after skating competitions I have attended, I got sick with the flu or a cold... I would NOT take the risk to attend an event right now.

 

[karne]

It's not pleasant, but as long as they allow the skaters to compete without vague "reasons" why not to "invite" them (like Bukin and Stolbova at the olympics) it's bearable. Of course if they won't be allowed to play an anthem in case of victory, it can look humiliating (I still remember Alina's face when she had to listen just the olympic anthem in Peyongchang). Also it shouldn't serve as a way how to put another pressure on the athletes.

Let's hope after the two years of this "ban" will expire the situation will be quieter already.

We're not talking about WADA sanctions in this thread. We're talking about the utter irresponsibility of the Russians during their skating events and the fact that I would not trust them with a ten foot pole to do the right thing during Worlds when they have already proven again and again that they won't.

 

[karne]

Interesting everyone just brings up Rostelecom Cup, probably because it supports their narrative, but I don't think I've seen any mention that Russia has had test skates plus what 6 other competitions (5 cup events, Nationals) for the most part with juniors and seniors across 4 disciplines, plus spectators at most of those competitions without mass breakouts of Covid. The Rostelecom cup was likely due to the banquet that was held, all the ISU needs to do is not hold any banquets and set forth rules that there not be any large gatherings that are outside of the actual competition.

Okay. Two things.

One, a lot of Russian skaters/coaches/officials got COVID before Rostelecom already. So clearly, there were already breakouts.

Two, the behaviour shown at Rostelecom - masks under chins, lack of social distancing - isn't one-off behaviour.

Three, the ISU communications before the GP clearly stated no banquets. Now, there's also a lot to talk about here in the fact that the RuFed seemingly flouted the ISU's rules for the GP without consequences, but the fact that there was a banquet was the RuFed's doing, not the ISU's, and the skaters who attended sans masks, and hugged, kissed, stood close to one another and ate from a freaking buffet also hold some responsibility.

 

[flanker]

We're not talking about WADA sanctions in this thread. We're talking about the utter irresponsibility of the Russians during their skating events and the fact that I would not trust them with a ten foot pole to do the right thing during Worlds when they have already proven again and again that they won't.

You are talking about it. And what you believe or notn I don't care, I don´'t know why you bother me with that, didn't ask about your nasty prejudice.

 

[karne]

You are talking about it. And what you believe or notn I don't care, I don´'t know why you bother me with that, didn't ask about your nasty prejudice.

I am not talking about the WADA sanctions. I am saying the Russians shouldn't be invited because of their proven lack of adherence to the most basic safety protocols.

I also happen to think Worlds shouldn't go ahead at all, but whatever.

 

[flanker]

I am not talking about the WADA sanctions. I am saying the Russians shouldn't be invited because of their proven lack of adherence to the most basic safety protocols.

I also happen to think Worlds shouldn't go ahead at all, but whatever.

No need to repeat what is obvious, when I'm not interested.

 

[[email protected]]

No need to repeat what is obvious, when I'm not interested.

Russia has a lot of "friends" who are not tired to keep reminding the world about it.

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

With the issue of sending skaters from Russia, I feel like the skaters could be responsible. They haven't had much opportunity to skate, although more than other federations, and if there was a zero-tolerance policy in place, I think it's probable they will follow the ISU guidelines. The mass breakouts among skaters in Russia is rather the fault of the Russian Skating Federation. They were supposed to keep their skaters safe, and I don't know who got COVID first, but they did not have strict enough measures in place, and most of their skaters ended up getting sick. They are the ones who should be enforcing the mask-wearing policy, whether or not they had the banquet, audience, etc. The skaters were complicit, but the federation did not do their job. So, I think that as long as the Russian skaters test negative, agree to the guidelines, and then follow those guidelines to the letter like every other skater should, they should certainly be permitted at worlds. And if they don't follow the guidelines, they should be immediately removed, like any other skater. Not sending Russia would be incredibly hurtful to the skaters all around the world, but the ISU needs to make it explicitly clear: behavior like at any of your other competition will not be tolerated.

 

[mrrice]

How do you know that? It is certainly possible that many spectators got contaminated... it's not because the athletes did not get ill that it didn't happen to the spectators... and yes, I do agree with you that a banquet was not a great idea, and perhaps the cause for the athletes and coaches getting sick... anyways... I was not one of the ones bringing up Rostelecom... nor Russia... so I will let others express themselves on that topic.. all I can say is that many times, after skating competitions I have attended, I got sick with the flu or a cold... I would NOT take the risk to attend an event right now.

^^^^^This is an absolute fact! As an audience member, even if you're wearing a mask, socially distanced in the food and bathroom lines ( Which are quite long between flight's of skaters ) You will have to touch hand rails, lean on counters when ordering at the food court, not to mention sharing a bathroom with literally hundreds, if not thousands of people. IMO, this is the perfect year to have a small gathering of friends and watch on TV

 

[norwegianfairytale]

Apart from EU* residents, which non-essential travelers can fly into Sweden atm? Last I read, there are only 6 other countries not barred, and it's in effect until March 31.

There are even a couple EU countries (Denmark+Norway?) that are on the no-no list too.

Well i´m guessing this is an issue they are working on. Maybe athletes to WC will get exception to pass the borders.

Btw, Norway is not part of EU, only EEA.

From today Sweden is stepping up the closed borders game. They are placing the military to gard the borders to Norway, Finland and Denmark

I´m not sure why they are acting up so crazy all of a sudden. Yes we have issues with the mutation atm., but our government are working hard to get the situation under control. We have stepped up the game and are sequencing a lot of virus samples. I read that Sweden is not sequencing virus samples. So how can they even have control of the mutation in Sweden?

Edit: From Saturday, all others travellers can not enter Sweden unless they have papers for negative Covid-test. The test can´t be older than 48 hours. It looks like athletes may get a exception.

Krav på negativt covidtest för att komma in i Sverige – börjar gälla på lördag

Utländska medborgare måste från lördag visa upp ett negativt covidtest för att få resa in i Sverige. Orsaken är enligt regeringen oron för att nya virusmutation

www.aftonbladet.se

 

[formersk8ter]

I'm far more concerned about all the air travel that athletes and coaches would have to endure to get to Worlds, than the safety of the venue.

I love figure skating as much as anyone, but, at this point, air travel and dealing with airports seems incredibly risky. Only a tiny percentage of people have even been vaccinated.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

I'm far more concerned about all the air travel that athletes and coaches would have to endure to get to Worlds, than the safety of the venue.

I love figure skating as much as anyone, but, at this point, air travel and dealing with airports seems incredibly risky. Only a tiny percentage of people have even been vaccinated.

I do agree, with airborne transmission and dry and still air in the airplanes, that is worrying. A taxi driver in Norway got the mutation after only driving customers from the airport, they where arriving from UK. The driver was wearing a mask the whole time and there was strict measures. But even sharing the same air was enough in this case. Scary situation.

 

[DreamSkates]

Okay. Two things.

One, a lot of Russian skaters/coaches/officials got COVID before Rostelecom already. So clearly, there were already breakouts.

Two, the behaviour shown at Rostelecom - masks under chins, lack of social distancing - isn't one-off behaviour.

Three, the ISU communications before the GP clearly stated no banquets. Now, there's also a lot to talk about here in the fact that the RuFed seemingly flouted the ISU's rules for the GP without consequences, but the fact that there was a banquet was the RuFed's doing, not the ISU's, and the skaters who attended sans masks, and hugged, kissed, stood close to one another and ate from a freaking buffet also hold some responsibility.

And that behavior would not be allowed/monitored closely at Worlds?
It still surprises me that they are holding Worlds or at least not delaying it.

 

[DreamSkates]

There are flights going into and out of the US every day, so I don't see why USFSA can't give permission for athletes to go. That said, I still think it is risky but elite skaters know how to protect themselves.

Personally I wouldn't get on an airplane for another few months unless my life depended on it, but then, I'm older and more aware than I can get hurt or sick whereas younger folks may not have that perception yet. Maybe they will be able to get a vaccination before going.

 

[Skatesocs]

Have they given any information about the safety protocols they intend to use and how they'll enforce them? About how/if these worlds will be used to determine Olympics?

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

Have they given any information about the safety protocols they intend to use and how they'll enforce them? About how/if these worlds will be used to determine Olympics?

Right now, Worlds are the decider for the Olympic spots, but that's going to be decided for sure on March 2nd. About safety protocol, nothing yet.

 

[1111bm]

With the issue of sending skaters from Russia, I feel like the skaters could be responsible. They haven't had much opportunity to skate, although more than other federations, and if there was a zero-tolerance policy in place, I think it's probable they will follow the ISU guidelines. The mass breakouts among skaters in Russia is rather the fault of the Russian Skating Federation. They were supposed to keep their skaters safe, and I don't know who got COVID first, but they did not have strict enough measures in place, and most of their skaters ended up getting sick. They are the ones who should be enforcing the mask-wearing policy, whether or not they had the banquet, audience, etc. The skaters were complicit, but the federation did not do their job.

Are we talking about the same skaters who apparently went to a big birthday party following Rostelecom Cup...?

IMO, this is the perfect year to have a small gathering of friends and watch on TV

Are you serious? This is exactly how Covid-19 continuously gets spread despite all the Lockdown and safety measures that are in place, it's not big sporting events, but people thinking regular, small gatherings with family members or close friends are 'ok' or 'low risk'.
And thanks to them all the measures get prolonged, and prolonged, and prolonged while the numbers won't go down.