News ISU to allow Russian/Belarusians as neutral athletes

[AlexBreeze]

Seniors that were juniors in 2022 probably will be neutral, skaters that didn't win anything probably ... but I doubt Galliamov will pass like neutral

Technically he isn't doing anything mentioned in the Communication.

Although the Сommunication says that those who were rejected in 2022 will not be allowed by default (but another decision may also be made).

That's kind of ridiculous. Very early.

This is not early. JGP China begins on August 17.

 

[NewLook]

They should issue wild cards for GP senior, like Paralympics did. More likely the host picks.

 

[TallyT]

I am actually rather surprised by how little I care... apart from the Team Tut soap opera reviving, that might be mildly amusing. But apart from Trusova (and for all the wrong reasons Valieva and Kostyleva's mum) they're a pretty dull lot anyway and have no more - or even less and that does include Trusova - artistry/skating skills than the rest of the current lot. Maybe the ISU will move in the direction of curbing the overblown high-tech-makes-you-an-artist-doncha-know scores for jumpers that got Team Tut so hyped.

 

[Mathematician]

Technically he isn't doing anything mentioned in the Communication.

Although the Сommunication says that those who were rejected in 2022 will not be allowed by default (but another decision may also be made).


This is not early. JGP China begins on August 17.

It's pretty early for Russia though I don't think the athletes were preparing such a start but maybe they got a heads up that they should be preparing earlier than normal just in case

 

[Jontor]

I'm confused. Does this mean that Gumennik and Petrosian will be on top of the Replacement List for GPs as they have good results from the Olympics?
Does this also mean that Russia can send three skaters to every Challenger if they want, and by that also qualify for GP spots?

 

[keasus]

She is, after all, one of the most successful coaches in the history of the sport.

At what cost to the skaters she coached?

 

[gsk8]

We understand this is an emotional topic. However, this thread is for discussion of the ISU's policy and its impact on figure skating. Please avoid political commentary, discussion of the war, conspiracy statements, personal attacks, and other inflammatory posts in accordance with our forum guidelines.

 

[Mariott]

Not just Lena and the others

Lena Kostyleva (or her mother, posting on her behalf from her account) has made enough political and nationalist statements on social media that she can hardly be considered “not supportive of military action.” It is more likely that we won’t see her at international competitions, or else this verification criterion has been blurred to the point of absurdity.

 

[moonvine]

So I guess I won't be watching many competitions this season. It was fun with you here.

Me too. It was so much fun.

 

[Diana Delafield]

The process may be different with the ISU, but today's Inside The Games has a follow-up article about rhythmic gymnastics. After World Gymnastics announced reinstatement of the Russian and Belorussian gymnasts as neutral athletes, the Russian team withdrew from a Challenge Cup meet because of the flag and anthem ban. Now European Gymnastics has lodged a protest and appeal and the whole reinstatement question will go back for more discussion, probably in August. Whether the ISU's decision is written in stone or can be similarly challenged and delayed, I don't know, just that fans in various other sports need to be aware that a similar decision and its effect on their sport may be more fluid than they thought and could still change.

 

[Mariott]

It seems to me that the situation in rhythmic gymnastics hasn’t been described accurately enough. At first, the rhythmic gymnasts were admitted as AIN; some time later (I think it had been a few months since then), the international federation admitted them as full members, allowing them to use their flag and national anthem. However, at a recent competition in a small town in Romania, the mayor (who, in principle, has no right to interfere in sporting events) personally issued a ban on the use of the Russian national anthem and flag and demanded that the gymnasts be forcibly returned to neutral status (they were already at the competition and had completed their training sessions). Naturally, after that, the team refused to compete under conditions they considered humiliating. Now, European federations (not all of them—about 11) are trying to influence the decision already made by the international federation and deny the Russian athletes the restored right to compete under their flag and with their national anthem; however, I do not think this will be successful. Otherwise, all the talk about how sports shouldn’t be subject to political pressure and political games is meaningless.

Of course, we can expect all sorts of antics—not only from the competition organizers and local federations (the Lithuanian Figure Skating Federation has already distinguished itself with a hate-filled post; judging by the fact that they even pinned it, they’re proud of their intolerant views), athletes, as well as from government officials of the countries and even the cities where the competitions are held. Of course, everyone already knows about this and is aware of the potential risks and difficulties—both fans and athletes alike. The road ahead won’t be easy, but we have to start somewhere.

I should clarify that in most sports, Russian sportsmen are already admitted as AIN or on terms of full participation with their flag and national anthem; they are competing and winning medals at international events. Some issues have arisen only with the European Rhythmic Gymnastics Federation and the European Fencing Federation. In this case, everything depends on the determination of the international federation.

 

[sissy7]

.... However, at a recent competition in a small town in Romania....

Sorry, I just had to chuckle allow me a small correction, Cluj Napoca is the second largest city in Romania...Of course Romania is a relativelly mid size country, so it is all matter of perspective

This is not me picking at your viewpoint on the subject, just had to add this as someone who went to university there.

 

[cocteautwin]

I'm a little disappointed how many people here support their return.

Many do not. I'm not suprised with this decision as there were many signs it's coming but it actually hit me more than I expected.

 

[yfan1]

apart from the Team Tut soap opera reviving, that might be mildly amusing.

That's the least attractive part of all this to me... It was sooooooo exhausting to see it, and I was going 'good riddance' when they were tossed to the side.

As for the rest of this conversation... As a simple example, I thought Gummenik was vastly overscored at the Olympics. I'm rather annoyed at what this means for scoring in all four disciplines, hereon. Their skating being rather unattractive even by well-into-the-CoP standards doesn't help matters at all.

The skaters I did enjoy - like Panfilova/Rylov - of course were set aside for their less talented teammates, or happily left to take care of themselves instead of bothering with their federation's bullshit.

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

I feel sorry for the Ukrainian athletes who will be at the same events as AIN athletes. Must be awful for them.

 

[NewLook]

Lena Kostyleva (or her mother, posting on her behalf from her account) has made enough political and nationalist statements on social media that she can hardly be considered “not supportive of military action.” It is more likely that we won’t see her at international competitions, or else this verification criterion has been blurred to the point of absurdity.

Her mom is not going to compete. And "Plushenko is the best!" is not a nationalist statement.

As for the Lithuania Federation, they must be losing in Drobiazko case, so they are so nervy.

 

[Adeline14]

So I guess I won't be watching many competitions this season. It was fun with you here.

Same here. I am truly sorry for all the wonderful skaters from other nations I won't see anymore, but this decision just does not align with my values.

 

[Tutto]

I wonder how the Russians are planning to obtain visas. Most of European countries have restrictions.

 

[decafjava]

I feel sorry for the Ukrainian athletes who will be at the same events as AIN athletes. Must be awful for them.

That would apply to other nations as well - although the ones I am thinking of will not have skaters as far as I know. Thankfully most skaters at least get along or are friends as I understand. I hope we can get to a kind of normal as it was when I became a real fan of skating in 2018-19.

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

And my biggest concern are japanese skaters especially coached by Mie Hamada (who is basically Japan's reincarnation of Tutberidze) like Mone Chiba and Mao Shimada (especially the latter) who will be forced to train quads to keep up.

I honestly wish Mao would drop that quad. Her success rate isn't that great.