ISU bans Russia and Belarus from competitions

[lariko]

You want Russian skaters to communicate? Here is Boikova, just now. Remember that Spring is the name of the movement that protested the regime since 2013, and it’s the one that uses the green ribbons that gets you arrested. Also, ‘going for a walk’ is the speak for protesting.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cakc1_kIYWA/?utm_medium=copy_link

“on the first day of spring one particularly wants to be alone in the nature. Feel the warm touch of sun. The breath of the fresh wind.
specifically at this time of year, like never before, one wants to hope for the best and believe into the brighter future. Specifically in the spring, it feels like it could pass to be.
Let’s allow this feeling and impulses, and make the world inside us and around us better.”

***

You decide what she is trying to say.

 

[TontoK]

People will stay interested in figure skating. Judging from the comments here, most of people are more than happy to watch worlds without Russians. So FS won't lose all its fans, far from it
I personally won't watch because the competitive worth in ladies and pairs is greatly reduced. I won't stop to think how lucky the medalists are. I don't watch that kind of comps. But i'm in the minority, fortunately, for all those who are gloating.

I can't fault you for refusing to support a competition you believe to be unfair and not worth watching. Standing for your beliefs is an honorable decision, one I took for the Ladies Event in Beijing.

 

[el henry]

I will watch the men's event with the same great interest as I always do. It is a shame for the Russian men, but a decision I understand.

I see people reacting to the "I'm never going to watch worlds" or "worlds won't be as enjoyable" by saying, I will watch it, and, my enjoyment will not be diminished by this decision.

I'm in the "I will watch" camp and "I will watch with interest" camp. Figure skating is far more than the ladies' comp.

 

[Erin9]

I haven’t had a chance to read this extensive thread yet, but I agree with the decision to ban Russian figure skaters.

Russian has invaded Ukraine. That comes with consequences. It’s not the athletes fault, of course, but I have no problem with the decision.

The competition will still be interesting- just different.

 

[cheerknithanson]

I’ll say one thing here. I’m sad for all.

 

[ucrgirl]

And this is where the water gets murky. As I've said before, when I was 14, my parents made every decision about when I'd go to a doctor and who that doctor would be. When I was a young performer, we were often given shots that were recommended by the tour company. We were told we needed them to go to Mexico. I'm sure my parents didn't think twice, and I was so excited to go on tour, I got the shot with a smile. I realize it's the skaters that are the people we see but, it's the people "Behind The Curtain" that need to be brought to the forefront. I also feel for athletes but, I agree that this is best solution for this immediate problem.

In my post I meant to say something like "individual athletes are being caught up in this." I thought I was being clear and careful in my wording but didn't succeed.

 

[mrrice]

In my post I meant to say something like "individual athletes are being caught up in this." I thought I was being clear and careful in my wording but didn't succeed.

I totally understand......

 

[whatif]

Well, maybe hold Worlds in Turkey, Mexico or Brazil?
All three officially declined to to take part in any sanctions against Russia today.

 

[cisum88note]

I think that some people in this thread need to thoroughly read the IOC statement and understand that a treaty was broken. ISU is just following suit per IOC recommendations.

In the meantime, let's not bash Russia or it's athletes in this thread. The Russian government made the decision(s) that resulted in this ban. Not the citizens of Russia and certainly not the Russian athletes.

Please use the Speakeasy for political discussion relating to the war.

The Ukrainian Figure Skating Association has posted their formal letter to the ISU on their instagram account calling for an investigation of "numerous posts from Russian skaters and coaches justifying the war and spreading insults towards Ukrainian figure skaters."

 

[el henry]

Apologies if a repost, I did not see this posted earlier.

"Liked" by Zach Donohue, Ashley Cain-Gribble and Jason Brown. There may be more skaters, but these are among the skaters I follow, so there were at the top of my "like" list.

 

[Jontor]

Russian cards are most likely blocked from international payments as well. If you even get hold of a plane ticket, it won´t be easy paying for it. There is a lot of difficulties on the way. That´s why i´m worried about Morisi. He can go, but it won´t be easy for him if he is Russia now and faced with the same sanctions.

I didn't think of that. Same goes for Gubanova I guess. Finally, when she had the chance to improve her world standings at worlds it's a no. Such bad luck. And what about Ryabova, Kurakova? And Safonova is definitely out as she competes for Belarus.

 

[Ducky]

I didn't think of that. Same goes for Gubanova I guess. Finally, when she had the chance to improve her world standings at worlds it's a no. Such bad luck. And what about Ryabova, Kurakova? And Safonova is definitely out as she competes for Belarus.

I'm sure that their Federations will provide them with bank cards that would work in a currency that isn't trashed (1 USD is currently equal to 105 RUB; 1 EUR is 111 RUB.). Kurakova seems to train in Italy so that wouldn't be a problem.

 

[Skater Boy]

This is sad for everyone. First for Ukraine what the Russian Gov't did is wrong. Horrible for skating there will be an asterik real or otherwise on who wins when the top skating nation with the potential to win even up to 8 medals out of 12 is gone for whatever reason. Of all nations not to compete for whatever reason RUssia would have the most impact. Yes, I can hear a shout of joy in California (Alexa) and happy dances from Japanese, korean and American ladies not to mention Loena an the impact won't be just this year but in the future as Russia unless something is done for this yar will only be allowed one competitor at most for each discipline instead of 3. I understand the ISU's position but I am not 100% sure if this is the best move if we were trying to keep politics out of skating and then we introduce politics by using sports as a way of making a political point. I get the anger and outrage. Oh skating drama. So much trauma.

 

[YagsFan]

the problem is much bigger than Russia and Belarus not being allowed to participate.

How will skaters even get to the event? For instance, Royal Dutch Airlines currently states:

• suspended our flights to and from Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
• temporarily suspended of flights to and from China, Korea, and Japan, while we study flight routes that avoid Russian airspace and that are in compliance with Dutch and international authorities' directives.

And if KLM does this, many other airlines have the same issues.

I don't think this should prove to be an insurmountable problem for non-Russian/Belarussian skaters. Skaters in China, Korea and Japan certainly could fly somewhere that doesn't involve Russian airspace, then on to France. As to expense, it seems to me that those countries' federations should/will be willing to make the sacrifice, especially if they want their skaters to participate. (I would think at least China and Japan would feel that way.)
I also want to offer my thumbs up to the IOC for taking this position, whether or not they felt forced into it. I only wish they would have made the same decision earlier due to the doping situation. Perhaps when that case is fully litigated we can hope for more and longer-lasting action against the Russian federation.

 

[sjchilly]

International Olympic Committee did not allow South Africa to compete for over 20 years because of the policy of apartheid.

 

[sjchilly]

The first South African athletes allowed to participate at the Olympics after apartheid was an ice dance couple in Albertville in 1992.

 

[gsk8]

The Ukrainian Figure Skating Association has posted their formal letter to the ISU on their instagram account calling for an investigation of "numerous posts from Russian skaters and coaches justifying the war and spreading insults towards Ukrainian figure skaters."

That was actually posted yesterday

 

[yume]

Actually I'd love to watch Russians and:
- not worry there is a war some 300 km from my country borders
- not be afraid about my closest friend whose wife is Ukrainian freaking about her family in Ukraina
- not think how to help people fleeing from war...

Will not watching Russians make you forget your worries?

 

[YagsFan]

This is sad for everyone. First for Ukraine what the Russian Gov't did is wrong. Horrible for skating there will be an asterik real or otherwise on who wins when the top skating nation with the potential to win even up to 8 medals out of 12 is gone for whatever reason. Of all nations not to compete for whatever reason RUssia would have the most impact. Yes, I can hear a shout of joy in California (Alexa) and happy dances from Japanese, korean and American ladies not to mention Loena an the impact won't be just this year but in the future as Russia unless something is done for this yar will only be allowed one competitor at most for each discipline instead of 3. I understand the ISU's position but I am not 100% sure if this is the best move if we were trying to keep politics out of skating and then we introduce politics by using sports as a way of making a political point. I get the anger and outrage. Oh skating drama. So much trauma.

People---not just you---want to try to separate "politics" from everything else in life, like sports. Fine, but this situation isn't "politics"---it isn't 1 political party differing from another, it isn't 2 candidates vying for votes, it isn't even 1 ideology vs another---this is unprovoked invasion and brutal WAR. Of course the consequences of that spill out into ALL aspects of life, and not just in the 2 involved nations and their neighbors. It is unavoidable, and shame on us if we don't recognize that.

 

[ChiGal]

LOL as if that makes it somehow a moral and justified decision. Using sports to achieve geopolitical goals. How incredibly arrogant, distasteful and insulting to the spirit of competition.

Well isn't this a rich statement....as if fighting to have a dope-positive skater be allowed to compete at the Olympics, only to have said skater have a very public meltdown on the ice. Nothing incredibly arrogant, distasteful and insulting about that!!