ISU to allow "neutral" skaters from RUS/BLR to compete at 2026 Olympics

[Mathematician]

Random question…sorry if it’s been discussed already…I just watched Adeliia P skate for the first time, in Russian nationals, and was really impressed (along with her jumps) at how tiny she is. Standing next to pair girl Mishina she looked several inches shorter. I assume she hasn’t hit her growth spurt yet? Dave Lease on his recent podcast said that she may be a risky choice for the Olympics.

Its hard to say. Her family in general is supposedly very short. I'm pretty sure shes already past her biggest developmental years. She was a tiny girl a couple years ago and now looks like a young lady. Thats the stage when girls get tall but shes still short. It doesnt look like her development is stunted if we look at everything but height. I think its likely she really hit the genetic lottery for figure skating. Even looking at Anna and Sasha, after Olympics they changed a lot physically since they stopped training but didnt get taller. Only Valieva got taller after 16/17. Mishina is supposed to be about 160cm, or 5'3-5'4. I'm guessing Petrosian is around 4'10-4'11. Some people are really just that short. Even if she grew a little bit more I dont think shes going to have any big changes or growth spurts. Its also a good sign she has stabilized massively this season. Sort of a sign of physical maturity.

I think Dave Lease probably doesnt follow Russian skating closely. If not her then who? Gorbacheva is improving but still extremely unstable. We dont know if Muravieva will regain peak shape and she was always inconsistent anyways. Frolova without ultra-c will not be a favourite especially considering judges probably wouldn't be very nice to her compared with Kaori for example.

The only other option is Sadkova, but theres no reason to pick her over Adeliia. Adeliia has a 3A and even a 4F, her PCS is enormous, she has perfect levels... shes better than everyone in every way. Even if she did hit a growth spurt its really hard to imagine she loses the 4T. Her 3A looks very stable too. I dont see it as risky. Petrosian could get hit with a growth spurt and worst case scenario her tech is equal to Sadkova (2 4Ts) but with much better PCS anyways. If you expect her to lose everything and send someone else thats basically gambling on Petrosian having a catastrophe for no reason. Maybe if Sadkova learned a 3A it'd almost be close but PCS gap is still there. Muravieva could be a favourite even without ultra-c but again thats wayy riskier than Petrosian or even Sadkova.

Basically since Russia has to choose so soon, extrapolating into the future there is no case to be made for anyone else. The fact is the rules they set for Russia are designed to make anything risky. For example Akateva could improve/stabilize and shes obviously post growth but she hasnt proven herself yet, and they dont have time to wait and see how things play out. Petrosian's insane consistency over the last 3 years gives confidence. I made a post earlier assessing lady's consistencies and to summarize after this season Adeliia will have the highest senior ladies career average score of all time. Also the highest single season-average barring Valieva's DQ. Probably the highest 2-season average even including Valieva's DQ. She'll be the most consistent ultra-c lady's skater ever.

Something insane could happen by RGPF but thats basically it, and its in just 3 months. After that theres basically no data left to decide who goes. They make their choice a year out.

 

[Skater Boy]

Its hard to say. Her family in general is supposedly very short. I'm pretty sure shes already past her biggest developmental years. She was a tiny girl a couple years ago and now looks like a young lady. Thats the stage when girls get tall but shes still short. It doesnt look like her development is stunted if we look at everything but height. I think its likely she really hit the generic lottery for figure skating. Even looking at Anna and Sasha, after Olympics they changed a lot physically since they stopped training but didnt get taller. Only Valieva got taller after 16/17. Mishina is supposed to be about 160cm, or 5'3-5'4. I'm guessing Petrosian is around 4'10-4'11. Some people are really just that short. Even if she grew a little bit more I dont think shes going to have any big changes or growth spurts. Its also a good sign she has stabilized massively this season. Sort of a sign of physical maturity.

I think Dave Lease probably doesnt follow Russian skating closely. If not her then who? Gorbacheva is improving but still extremely unstable. We dont know if Muravieva will regain peak shape and she was always inconsistent anyways. Frolova without ultra-c will not be a favourite especially considering judges probably wouldn't be very nice to her compared with Kaori for example.

The only other option is Sadkova, but theres no reason to pick her over Adeliia. Adeliia has a 3A and even a 4F, her PCS is enormous, she has perfect levels... shes better than everyone in every way. Even if she did hit a growth spurt its really hard to imagine she loses the 4T. Her 3A looks very stable too. I dont see it as risky. Petrosian could get hit with a growth spurt and worst case scenario her tech is equal to Sadkova (2 4Ts) but with much better PCS anyways. If you expect her to lose everything and send someone else thats basically gambling on Petrosian having a catastrophe for no reason. Maybe if Sadkova learned a 3A it'd almost be close but PCS gap is still there. Muravieva could be a favourite even without ultra-c but again thats wayy riskier than Petrosian or even Sadkova.

Basically since Russia has to choose so soon, extrapolating into the future there is no case to be made for anyone else. The fact is the rules they set for Russia are designed to make anything risky. For example Akateva could improve/stabilize and shes obviously post growth but she hasnt proven herself yet, and they dont have time to wait and see how things play out. Petrosian's insane consistency over the last 3 years gives confidence. I made a post earlier assessing lady's consistencies and to summarize after this season Adeliia will have the highest senior ladies career average score of all time. Also the highest single season-average barring Valieva's DQ. Probably the highest 2-season average even including Valieva's DQ. She'll be the most consistent ultra-c lady's skater ever.

Something insane could happen by RGPF but thats basically it, and its in just 3 months. After that there is basically no data left to decide who goes. They make their choice a year out.

Just how competitive is "Russia" or whatever form that might be eligible for the olympics? IN ladies can or will Kamila V be able to compete and be competitive or because of her growth and not skating ended any reality of her qualifying? It seems like Russia might still threaten for gold in ladies and pairs? But how competitive are they really not competing for so long espeicialy in dance and men.

How does this stack up to the Japanese and Amber and the American ladies?

 

[Jontor]

Just how competitive is "Russia" or whatever form that might be eligible for the olympics? IN ladies can or will Kamila V be able to compete and be competitive or because of her growth and not skating ended any reality of her qualifying? It seems like Russia might still threaten for gold in ladies and pairs? But how competitive are they really not competing for so long espeicialy in dance and men.

How does this stack up to the Japanese and Amber and the American ladies?

I don't know about dance, but men might have a shot at an olympic medal if they send Dikidzhi or Gumennik imo. But RusNats will probably make the mistake of choosing Semenenko who is the dullest skater and who has no chance of a medal.

Russia will surely take the gold in women if they send Petrosian (Valieva is out of the question as she is not even allowed to train right now).
But we mustn't forget that next year is the first year that juniors turn senior after the age rules changed.
That means that Ami Nakai of Japan will go senior and she has a 3A.
Shin Jia of Korea will also be senior and she is the closest thing Korea has to the elegance of Kim Yuna.
So the international map for women might change considerably during next season. All other federations have the luxury of choosing their skaters in early 2026 after the season has played out, while Russia has to decide now, a year before Olympic season.

So everything looks very uncertain to me. As we know, ice is slippery and lots of stuff can happen, including injuries.

 

[Mathematician]

Just how competitive is "Russia" or whatever form that might be eligible for the olympics? IN ladies can or will Kamila V be able to compete and be competitive or because of her growth and not skating ended any reality of her qualifying? It seems like Russia might still threaten for gold in ladies and pairs? But how competitive are they really not competing for so long espeicialy in dance and men.

How does this stack up to the Japanese and Amber and the American ladies?

With maximum objectivity and no offence but there is no "stacking up" with Amber or Japanese ladies. The GPF gold was 212? I think Petrosian is competing in a different sport from Amber Glenn. I saw Kaori scored 230 I still consider her the best international lady. Someone else mentioned some Japanese girls with a 3A but thats not enough. If one of them jump great 3As and learn quads on top of that we can talk. Petrosian would be an unethically gigantic favourite for gold. If I were an odds-maker I'd set her gold to 1.01 or else I'd be begging to get fleeced. She scored over 262 at Nats. Even with international scoring and even if she fell she'd still win Olys. You cannot attribute a 50 point gap to bias judging. I lean towards even falling twice she'd win with a clean SP. If Glenn or Kaori skated a lights out career best it would take an utter disaster for Petrosian not to gold anyways. Like a total incomprehensible career low. She hasnt dipped below 234 in 3 seasons, and her 230s are utter meltdowns in early season without maximum BV. Right in this moment Sadkova would also be a good favourite even with international judging (she actually got pretty low PCS in Russia already) but if she fell she could lose. Shes improving super fast but still were over a year out from Olys. I'd set her odds to like 1.3 in this moment only a perfect Kaori could beat her and thats if Sadkova falls (she scored 234 with an imperfect SP). Kaori seems inconsistent I'd say her and Akateva would be tied favourites. Then again if Akateva forgot about the 4T and only aimed for clean programs she might edge it out. I'd put both of them around 1.5. With her 4T its lights out but I'll keep all estimates conservative. Muravieva even without ultra-c is also like Akateva despite struggling. Shes super unstable now though I'd say shes right next to Akateva and Kaori since again Kaori's scores seem all over the place. Though with a 3A it'd be different story (we'll see at RGPF). With a 3A Mura is like 1.1 maximum. Frolova also 1.5 with the other 3. Gorbacheva is super inconsistent its impossible to rank her maybe like 1.4.

In Pairs M/G also look stone cold. Genuinely not sure how they'd lose. B/K also big favourites. Russian pairs is deep and I heard internationals are really struggling.

Russian men could medal but wouldn't be favourite for gold. They have a few guys pushing 300+.

S/B in dance could medal but not a gold favourite either.

Kamila is banned until December. The cutoff for qualification is September. She isnt Russia's best anymore and hasn't been since 2021/22. In her last year's form she could gold internationally if she landed her 4T but she was struggling with it. She scored 238 last season without a 4T. International scoring would make it close. If she forgot about the 4T and just decided to skate clean as possible without ultra-c she could also be a favourite. Maybe 1.4 odds as well but again this is going off last season. Her PCS is deservedly astronomical especially in the SP.

 

[Jontor]

With maximum objectivity and no offence but there is no "stacking up" with Amber or Japanese ladies. The GPF gold was 212? I think Petrosian is competing in a different sport from Amber Glenn. I saw Kaori scored 230 I still consider her the best international lady. Someone else mentioned some Japanese girls with a 3A but thats not enough. If one of them jump great 3As and learn quads on top of that we can talk. Petrosian would be an unethically gigantic favourite for gold. If I were an odds-maker I'd set her gold to 1.01 or else I'd be begging to get fleeced. She scored over 262 at Nats. Even with international scoring and even if she fell she'd still win Olys. You cannot attribute a 50 point gap to bias judging. I lean towards even falling twice she'd win with a clean SP. If Glenn or Kaori skated a lights out career best it would take an utter disaster for Petrosian not to gold anyways. Like a total incomprehensible career low. She hasnt dipped below 234 in 3 seasons, and her 230s are utter meltdowns in early season without maximum BV. Right in this moment Sadkova would also be a good favourite even with international judging (she actually got pretty low PCS in Russia already) but if she fell she could lose. Shes improving super fast but still were over a year out from Olys. I'd set her odds to like 1.3 in this moment only a perfect Kaori could beat her and thats if Sadkova falls (she scored 234 with an imperfect SP). Kaori seems inconsistent I'd say her and Akateva would be tied favourites. Then again if Akateva forgot about the 4T and only aimed for clean programs she might edge it out. I'd put both of them around 1.5. With her 4T its lights out but I'll keep all estimates conservative. Muravieva even without ultra-c is also like Akateva despite struggling. Shes super unstable now though I'd say shes right next to Akateva and Kaori since again Kaori's scores seem all over the place. Though with a 3A it'd be different story (we'll see at RGPF). With a 3A Mura is like 1.1 maximum. Frolova also 1.5 with the other 3. Gorbacheva is super inconsistent its impossible to rank her maybe like 1.4.

In Pairs M/G also look stone cold. Genuinely not sure how they'd lose. B/K also big favourites. Russian pairs is deep and I heard internationals are really struggling.

Russian men could medal but wouldn't be favourite for gold. They have a few guys pushing 300+.

S/B in dance could medal but not a gold favourite either.

Kamila is banned until December. The cutoff for qualification is September. She isnt Russia's best anymore and hasn't been since 2021/22. In her last year's form she could gold internationally if she landed her 4T but she was struggling with it. She scored 238 last season without a 4T. International scoring would make it close. If she forgot about the 4T and just decided to skate clean as possible without ultra-c she could also be a favourite. Maybe 1.4 odds as well but again this is going off last season. Her PCS is deservedly astronomical especially in the SP.

Yeah that's all good and I agree mostly. But that is how it is today. Olympics is 16 months away and a LOT could happen before that.

And also, to compete at the Olympics, you need to have nerves of steel.

That's why Shcherbakova won last Olympics, and Trusova/Valieva didn't. I know Valieva's circumstances were exceptionally heavy on her, but Trusova?

All those years everyone was talking about Trusova and how she was unbeatable, but she never won anything major internationally. Shcherbakova/Trusova met 9 times in their senior careers. Trusova won over Shcherbakova once, at Rusnats 2022, all the other 8 times Anna always beat her.

Anna was unique and something very rare. I remember her GP debut at Skate America. She had horrible practices and couldn't land her 4Lzs. Then in the short she had a freak fall in the steps and was only 5th. In the warm up for the free skate she still couldn't land her quads, but then...just like Anna did so many times, she landed two clean 4Lzs.

All it took for the unbeatable Kamila to lose to Sakamoto at the olympics 2022 was a stepout of the 3A, and two falls. Kamila had a mealtdown skate, which was understandable at the time. Trusova had a lot of meltdown skates in her senior career, she essentially never delivered.

Petrosian is the obvious candidate on paper, but does she have nerves of steel? and can she deliver no matter what dire circumstances there might be? I'm not so sure. She is not a Anna Shcherbakova.

And also, whoever Russia will choose, the skater won't have any international senior experience, and that fact alone will be an uphill battle at the Olympics.

We will see, I am sure the debate over this subject will change a lot in the upcoming year. A lot can, and a lot WILL happen.

 

[Jontor]

What I am wondering is if the ISU will allow Russian skaters to compete the whole season next year. It seems a bit strange, and it is very extra-ordinary, to allow them (as neutrals) just for the Olympics. Where's the logic in that?

If the IOC has opened the door, surely ISU will have to follow?

Logistically, if the Russian/(neutral) women are allowed to compete, they will not compete in the GP as the competitors are based on results from Worlds and SB scores from the year before. But they could take part in the Challenger events. That would be a good place to start and to put back the Russian/(neutral) women on the SB list.

 

[Mathematician]

Yeah that's all good and I agree mostly. But that is how it is today. Olympics is 16 months away and a LOT could happen before that.

And also, to compete at the Olympics, you need to have nerves of steel.

That's why Shcherbakova won last Olympics, and Trusova/Valieva didn't. I know Valieva's circumstances were exceptionally heavy on her, but Trusova?

All those years everyone was talking about Trusova and how she was unbeatable, but she never won anything major internationally. Shcherbakova/Trusova met 9 times in their senior careers. Trusova won over Shcherbakova once, at Rusnats 2022, all the other 8 times Anna always beat her.

Anna was unique and something very rare. I remember her GP debut at Skate America. She had horrible practices and couldn't land her 4Lzs. Then in the short she had a freak fall in the steps and was only 5th. In the warm up for the free skate she still couldn't land her quads, but then...just like Anna did so many times, she landed two clean 4Lzs.

All it took for the unbeatable Kamila to lose to Sakamoto at the olympics 2022 was a stepout of the 3A, and two falls. Kamila had a mealtdown skate, which was understandable at the time. Trusova had a lot of meltdown skates in her senior career, she essentially never delivered.

Petrosian is the obvious candidate on paper, but does she have nerves of steel? and can she deliver no matter what dire circumstances there might be? I'm not so sure. She is not a Anna Shcherbakova.

And also, whoever Russia will choose, the skater won't have any international senior experience, and that fact alone will be an uphill battle at the Olympics.

We will see, I am sure the debate over this subject will change a lot in the upcoming year. A lot can, and a lot WILL happen.

But that doesnt differentiate her from anyone else in Russia. You still cant justify picking anyone else. Akateva and Muravieva are nervous wrecks. Gorbacheva isnt consistent in any case. Even if that wasnt true what would you say to her? "Yea you scored 260 but we'll send the 230 girl cause shes less nervous", as if any other girl has international experience anyways. Sadkova? She doesnt seem to have a huge nerve problem but shes absent minded and lets things slip. She is getting much better. I actually wouldn't mind sending her. Her 4T has been very good this season, last season she was injured and it still wasnt half bad, people say her 4T was her issue last season she struggled with everything in general cause of the injury plus growth spurt. She might be on a trajectory to become better than anyone expects TBH. Let it be known now if Sadkova ever pushes 250 scores I wont be surprised. Anyways you still cant justify her over Petrosian unless she learns a 3A by RGPF and a lot more.

Again we've seen Petrosian melt down and she still didnt drop below 234. International scoring is usually just a few points less. Petrosian at her senior low so far would be high 220s at minimum. Remember she will get some practice at the qualifications too. Amber isnt even pushing 220 in her best skates. Its just Kaori. So Kaori has to be utterly perfect and Petrosian has to have a career low. Its not likely even for Olympics. Trusova didnt have a career low, she fell once and it cost her. So even that comparison doesnt hold. She was competing against another girl with multiple quads. If Trusova was in Petrosian's position we would be right in saying she has no way to lose, even with falls. Petrosian is 1 of 1 right now. Theres no Anna or Kamila for her to compete with. The Russian girls who could hypothetically beat her wont be there. Even 2 falls could have her in gold. Consider all this along with the fact that Kaori has bombed half her skates this season with like 200s and Amber's best is 215. This is not comparable to Trusova at all. It would take more than nerves for Petrosian to lose. Its not just that Petrosian is the 2nd highest peak we've seen in history, but also that everyone else is struggling bad. The international men and ice dance are doing wonderful but the women's league is barren. This literally could not be more perfect for Petrosian. There has never been a bigger favourite.

 

[Jontor]

But that doesnt differentiate her from anyone else in Russia. You still cant justify picking anyone else. Akateva and Muravieva are nervous wrecks. Gorbacheva isnt consistent in any case. Even if that wasnt true what would you say to her? "Yea you scored 260 but we'll send the 230 girl cause shes less nervous", as if any other girl has international experience anyways. Sadkova? She doesnt seem to have a huge nerve problem but shes absent minded and lets things slip. She is getting much better. I actually wouldn't mind sending her. Her 4T has been very good this season, last season she was injured and it still wasnt half bad, people say her 4T was her issue last season she struggled with everything in general cause of the injury plus growth spurt. She might be on a trajectory to become better than anyone expects TBH. Let it be known now if Sadkova ever pushes 250 scores I wont be surprised. Anyways you still cant justify her over Petrosian unless she learns a 3A by RGPF and a lot more.

Again we've seen Petrosian melt down and she still didnt drop below 234. International scoring is usually just a few points less. Petrosian at her senior low so far would be high 220s at minimum. Remember she will get some practice at the qualifications too. Amber isnt even pushing 220 in her best skates. Its just Kaori. So Kaori has to be utterly perfect and Petrosian has to have a career low. Its not likely even for Olympics. Trusova didnt have a career low, she fell once and it cost her. So even that comparison doesnt hold. She was competing against another girl with multiple quads. If Trusova was in Petrosian's position we would be right in saying she has no way to lose, even with falls. Petrosian is 1 of 1 right now. Theres no Anna or Kamila for her to compete with. The Russian girls who could hypothetically beat her wont be there. Even 2 falls could have her in gold. Consider all this along with the fact that Kaori has bombed half her skates this season with like 200s and Amber's best is 215. This is not comparable to Trusova at all. It would take more than nerves for Petrosian to lose. Its not just that Petrosian is the 2nd highest peak we've seen in history, but also that everyone else is struggling bad. The international men and ice dance are doing wonderful but the women's league is barren. This literally could not be more perfect for Petrosian. There has never been a bigger favourite.

Yeah, and I do agree with you. Petrosian is the only choice. All I'm saying is there it is still a risk it won't work out for the best.

 

[Mathematician]

Yeah, and I do agree with you. Petrosian is the only choice. All I'm saying is there it is still a risk it won't work out for the best.

There always is. In this case the risk is smaller than it has ever been for an individual skater. As for the country entirely, of course having just one skater is a bigger risk than three.

 

[ajingmarg]

I wouldnt say Semenenko is dull.

He is one of best artistic skater with a taste and understanding of music intrepretation.

Did you really his different performances?

His results at Beijing Olympics was the top Russian man.

I don't know about dance, but men might have a shot at an olympic medal if they send Dikidzhi or Gumennik imo. But RusNats will probably make the mistake of choosing Semenenko who is the dullest skater and who has no chance of a medal.

Russia will surely take the gold in women if they send Petrosian (Valieva is out of the question as she is not even allowed to train right now).
But we mustn't forget that next year is the first year that juniors turn senior after the age rules changed.
That means that Ami Nakai of Japan will go senior and she has a 3A.
Shin Jia of Korea will also be senior and she is the closest thing Korea has to the elegance of Kim Yuna.
So the international map for women might change considerably during next season. All other federations have the luxury of choosing their skaters in early 2026 after the season has played out, while Russia has to decide now, a year before Olympic season.

So everything looks very uncertain to me. As we know, ice is slippery and lots of stuff can happen, including injuri

 

[lariko]

What I am wondering is if the ISU will allow Russian skaters to compete the whole season next year. It seems a bit strange, and it is very extra-ordinary, to allow them (as neutrals) just for the Olympics. Where's the logic in that?

This requires amnesty.

 

[lariko]

I wouldnt say Semenenko is dull.

Off topic, but Semeneko's artistic prowess is imo typically Russian gaslighting based in his ability to land 4T and 4S without falling in the same program better than anyone else in Russia and the name tag of his coach. These landings are cringworthy without the beauty of the save that skaters with more flexible knees and ankles get, but sure, he lands.

Let's see how Dikidzhi does, how long his streak lasts and if his (and other men's) newly minted quads translate outside Russia when the rinks are unfamiliar, there is more at stake, a program is expected in addition to jumps, and the tech panel is gleeful with q, < and <<

 

[Jontor]

Off topic, but Semeneko's artistic prowess is imo typically Russian gaslighting based in his ability to land 4T and 4S without falling in the same program better than anyone else in Russia and the name tag of his coach. These landings are cringworthy without the beauty of the save that skaters with more flexible knees and ankles get, but sure, he lands.

Let's see how Dikidzhi does, how long his streak lasts and if his (and other men's) newly minted quads translate outside Russia when the rinks are unfamiliar, there is more at stake, a program is expected in addition to jumps, and the tech panel is gleeful with q, < and <<

Yeah, Semenenko is consistant, but I don't think he is medal material. I found his programs dull and I don't like his hunchback quads.

My personal fave would be Gumennik who I think is the most artistic skater of the Russian men, but he is a bit of a wild card.

Dikidzhi has the tech to fight for a medal, but he needs to improve his skating skills, he has one year of work to do.

 

[Mathman]

Help me understand how this selection procedure is supposed to work. Will the (banned) Russian Skating Feereation be invited to "send" a neutral skater, and if so, what criterion of slelection will they be expected to apply.

To me, Petrosian is the Russian champion. Whether she will turn out to have nerves of steel like Anna Shcherbakova did, nobody knows. Still, she is the best in Russia at the mement. What purpose does a competition serve if you don't select the best you've got?

 

[AlexBreeze]

Yeah, Semenenko is consistant, but I don't think he is medal material. I found his programs dull and I don't like his hunchback quads.

My personal fave would be Gumennik who I think is the most artistic skater of the Russian men, but he is a bit of a wild card.

Dikidzhi has the tech to fight for a medal, but he needs to improve his skating skills, he has one year of work to do.

Not a medal material had 274 at Olympics with mistakes and lower BV than now.

Gumennik would get calls on most of his jumps, and Dikidzhi's PCS would be at Shaidorov level.

IMO the Beijing trio + Aliev are the only Russian men who would get decent scores internationally.

Anyway it's too early to talk about medal chances. Now the level is a little lower in international competitions than it used to be but the Olympics are more than a year away, and things change very quickly in figure skating. I don't see any Russian man beating prime Ilya, Adam and Yuma. There is also no clear criteria from the ISU, it's absolutely possible that someone like Daniil Postarnakov is the best eligible skater.

 

[el henry]

When I was doing chores the YouTube algorithm brought up The Skating Lesson and I did not turn it off. It was Dave with a guest Maya (sorry I don't know her last name). It was not that bad, which surprised the heck out of me. Of course I had no idea who they were talking about most of the time. (I did recognize Kondratiuk and Stepanova/Bukin).

Much of the conversation centered on which skaters would meet the ISU guidelines. They both thought Petrosian might not be approved by the ISU as she did not qualify for the guidelines, hence she is risky. (don't know enough about the coaches or events they were discussing to say why they thought that.)

 

[FlossieH]

When I was doing chores the YouTube algorithm brought up The Skating Lesson and I did not turn it off. It was Dave with a guest Maya (sorry I don't know her last name). It was not that bad.

I do not follow Russian skating at all, so I don't know who they were talking about (I did recognize Kondratiuk). They both thought Petrosian might not be approved by the ISU as she did not qualify for the guidelines, hence she is risky.

He believes that anyone who trains with Tutberidze will be ineligible because they were previously associated with a skater who is now banned. However, I suspect that it will be the same as for other sports - they will only be ineligible if they have associated with the skater during her ban, or if they have publicly supported the war. Tutberidze has been careful to ensure that her current skaters do not associate with the banned one. Time will tell, but a lot of Americans seem to be taking a very rigid interpretation of what is meant by being associated with a banned skater, and which I suspect will prove to be incorrect.

 

[el henry]

He believes that anyone who trains with Tutberidze will be ineligible because they were previously associated with a skater who is now banned. However, I suspect that it will be the same as for other sports - they will only be ineligible if they have associated with the skater during her ban, or if they have publicly supported the war. Tutberidze has been careful to ensure that her current skaters do not associate with the banned one. Time will tell, but a lot of Americans seem to be taking a very rigid interpretation of what is meant by being associated with a banned skater, and which I suspect will prove to be incorrect.

Thanks for the explanation. Maya appeared to agree with him, so I don't think this is solely an American interpretation (I apologize I do not remember her last name. She lives in Europe and is a Russian speaker. I don't know what country she lives in, but it is not the US of A.)

Of course I have no opinion as I am clueless.

 

[AlexBreeze]

but a lot of Americans seem to be taking a very rigid interpretation of what is meant by being associated with a banned skater

Most Russian speakers think the same.

In general, the problem with these rules is interpretation. If there's a goal to prevent the majority, it's possible. If there is no such goal, everyone but Kondratiuk will be able to go.

At this point, it's hard to say how it's going to be. But I think RusFed has some kind of agreement with the ISU judging by what was happening at Nats. Or not.

 

[gsk8]

She lives in Europe and is a Russian speaker. I don't know what country she lives in, but it is not the US of A.)

Maya Bagriantseva. She's written several articles for Golden Skate this season