ISU Where Will Worlds BE (formerly) JAPAN QUAKE FOR WORLDS

[Nadine]

p.s. oops I forgot to add to my previous post, this is the first thing I thought of when I read the title of Mr. Hersh's "winning" article : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WANNqr-vcx0

Now I'm really out of here!

 

[Violet Bliss]

genki, I hope your relatives have taken up your invitation and left Japan. People in Tokyo may be numbed/paralysed by the "shifting baselines", with events and information at a gradual pace inducing acceptance of changing new normals, instead of being jolted by a suddenly changed scenario. Everybody who could should leave, not only for personal safety but also to lighten the load there.

mot is right that the money side of things is important. I study cycles and am somewhat of a futurist. In managing money for my clients, I escaped every major market crash, usually after being laughed at by others (non-clients) for my forewarning of coming events.

I had a bad exerience voicing alert on another board about the dooming US and global fincancial meltdown too early, in 2004, and was viciously attacked and hated. Even though everything I foretold eventually played out exacty and in the timeline as I detailed, I vowed not to be earnest about warning people of impending danger again, especially early enough for them to actually prepare for it. I'm breaking a silence now and will give a brief alert on the global economy unfolding right now.

What is happening in Japan, especially in the worst case scenario, is like the earthquake with the economic tsunami still to come, taking down the global financial system. Japan is the world's 3rd largest economy and has long been a financier of the world with its savings and low interest rates which are gamed by foreign finacial institutions in the so-called Japan or Yen Carry Trade. Japan imports a lot of materials and exports capital. Now they are going to need to recall the money home for the rebuilding while reducing imports and manufacturing (for one thing they won't have enough electricity for a while). Both their extremely significant financial and productive outputs are being halted suddenly, with great impacts on the world's very fragile economy (though initially US$ might be perceived as safe while people seek liquidity). US bonds will be dumped instead of bought. There will be a donimo effect bringing down one bank after another in the world, possibly prompting more money printing again by the US Feds. The ginormous influx of the earlier printings was first retained by the banks to play their money games, resulting in asset inflations while many people stay unemployed and/or homeless. The money is just now finally flowing out and being felt by the general public with hyperinflated food and energy prices to come, the two items not included in the (phoney) inflation index. What happened in 2008 was only the first phase/wave of the economic meltdown. All the artificial and superficial "remedies" have created a fake "recovery" which is ending about now. The third wave is beginning and is usually the steepest of the 5 waves in most cycles of events. The Japan disaster is the perfect Black Swan event to spark it. I won't break things down in details here or continue pounding this message. Throw it away or vet it and be informed for yourself.

Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

eta. I didn't mean to create any panic with the worst case scenario, just wish people be aware of possibilities. I have other reasons to think the nuclear danger may be resolved soon and we will only have to argue over ISU Worlds, which hopefully will also be resolved to most people's satisfaction.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

The fans are eager for a Worlds Championship, but first and foremost safety is the big issue if one is held in Japan. Will Japan be safer to host the competition in October?
Money is required to offset the expenses of running a championship, which means spectators will flock to the venue. Will they on short notice?
How many of the countries mentioned are really ready to finance a championship quickly?
Can they organize the amount of input which is required?
Will the media jump at the chance to get its gear in place for streaming?

Many fans will just layback on their sofas and watch the competition on some streaming video or net without caring about the work involved if and when a decision is made.
Not much one can do expect wait until an official announcement is made.

 

[clairecloutier]

I'd like to start a petition to: 1) Call on the JSF to officially withdraw from hosting Worlds this year and 2) Call on the ISU to accept one of the cities that have been officially offered as alternate hosts for Worlds in April, May, or June.

My hope would be to collect signatures to the petition and try to bring it to the attention of Hersh or other mainstream press in order to increase public pressure on the ISU to reschedule Worlds for this spring.

Does anyone know how to set up an open petition page on the page? I could write text for a petition but don't know how to set up a page.

 

[figureskatingfan22]

Politics all over the place. Gailhaguet is against the worlds being held in October.
Here's the link for the full article:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/spor...kating-championship-nightmare/article1945001/

Quotes:

"However, he said he agrees with ISU president Ottavio Cinquanta that the skating world must respect the Japanese federation, although at the moment it would be too difficult to hold a world championship.

He also does not like an ISU suggestion that the world championships be postponed until October, because it pushes the event too close to the next season's Grand Prix events."
[...]
In trying to find a compromise to benefit Japan, he said the world championships that are already scheduled to take place in Nice, France, in March of 2012 could be shifted to allow the Japanese to hold the world championships then.

However, Gailhaguet suggested that the Nice event be shifted to March of 2013, which has already been awarded to London, Ont., and therefore, that the Canadian event be moved to March of 2014, a month after the Sochi Olympics.

“There's absolutely no way we'd go for that,” said William Thompson, chief executive officer of Skate Canada. He pointed out that Canada had already taken on a post-Olympic world championship in 2006, with all of its attendant difficulties. “We have 2013,” Thompson said. “That's just not in the cards at all. Nice try, Didier.” "
--------------------------------------------------------------------

This articles indicates the main problem at the moment: After cancelling 1961 Worlds in Prague, Prague was allowed to hold 1962 Worlds as compensation. Now a compensation like in 1961/1962 is impossible. Japan, France und Canada want to host Worlds. But Canada is unwilling to give up 2013 Worlds which means either Japan or France would have to host Worlds 2014 or step back. None of them is willing to do that. Cancelling Worlds 2011 seems the only option, but it would mean that Japan would loose its Worlds what they don't want to happen either.

Nobody wants to step back. This explains why Speedy/JSP came up with holding Worlds 2011 in October.

Terrrible and sad situation!

 

[ImaginaryPogue]

What are the difficulties of a post Olympics-Worlds, from an organizational stand point

I personally do not see an October Worlds as a big catastrophe. (A big catastrophe is having your house fall on you in an earthquake, then being swept out to sea by a tsunami, then being blown up by a nuclear explosion.) The skaters will adapt, and those who adapt best will have an leg up on those who don't.

Some skaters will retire or skip 2011 Worlds for other reasons. This is a shame for those skaters and an opportunity for others. Some skaters will do 2011 worlds and skip the Grand Prix. Some will go full steam ahead. Some will prepare new programs over the summer, others will go with their programs from the previous year. Someone may win a medal in October who wouldn't have won one in March, and vice versa.

I do not really feel very sorry for a top skater who has to decide whether to make money doing a show in September or stay home and practice his routines. Life is full of choices. Be glad you have a choice.

Mathman, what you seem to be saying is that unless your life is unpheval, you can't complain about the unfair aspects of it. Which is rather disturbing.

1. Will skaters have the choice? I'm not convinced that they will. Remember when the World Team Trophy was going on. Skaters, like Belbin/Agosto and Virtue/Moir had stated that there was a bit of pressure (I believe Belbin outright stated they had no choice) from the federation to go, and those federations in turn felt pressure to attend from the ISU. Will that happen again?

2. You're making the presumption that Worlds in October is inherently fair because it affects all equally. But that doesnt make it right.

3. It presumes that Japan can host worlds. If they can't, it's unlikely that the 2011 Worlds will happen because they're not gonna get another venue within the five months before the Nice Worlds. If there a reasonable expectation that Japan will be back to normal? Worst case scenario, obviously not. There might be financial justification though, and I can't argue against that. Right now we have cities offering to host worlds (Moscow, Lausaunne, Malmo, Turin), but none with the potential might and enthusiasm of the Japanese Skating Federation.

4. Read Speedy's answers. They're largely balderdash.

---

Coaches on Worlds in October

Jason Dunjien: ""Depending on what happens in the next couple of weeks, is it going to be any safer (in Japan) in October than it is right now? The possibility of worlds being pushed back to October -- at that point, I think it would be better to cancel it. You're into next season, and you have a whole different set of rules, maybe, since the ISU meets in May. And then you're going to go from this year's world championships straight into the Grand Prix series, which means you're going to see the same programs all season. I would prefer an abbreviated field over total cancellation. But I would prefer cancellation over October." "

Igor Shpilband: "I don't know why he said it's too late in April or May (to find another venue) -- it's not too late. I think it's really depressing. The head of the International Skating Union, he has no concept -- the skaters are not being taken in consideration. I'm all for respect to the Japanese people and the federation and the tragedy, but he's not even asking them what they want. I'm sure they'd want Japanese skaters to compete and be successful and compete for their dream. (The ISU) isn't working very hard to hold the event. I know it's hard to organize the championships, but someone can do it in a month or two."

Pasquale Camerlengo: "October? I don't think that would be possible. So everybody prepares new programs and then having two world championships (basically in the same season)? Then the Grand Prix would start right after that? I wish they wouldn't do that. The rankings, the assignments of the Grand Prix -- a lot of (preparation) happens that depend on worlds."

 

[jatale]

I like Jason Dunjien's viewpoint, either the ISU should hold Worlds somewhere outside of Japan soon (in the next month or so) or the entire event should be cancelled. The skaters need closure on this within days, they cannot train in a state of limbo.

 

[CassAgain]

I don't understand how an October Worlds works in terms of programs. It seems like we will get mostly repeats because skaters will want to continue training their 2010-2011 programs throughout the summer. Another year of golden waltz? No thanks.

 

[Spun Silver]

I'm with Shpilband.

Why not Russia if they're ready and think they can do a good job?

For Mao, Miki, Dai, Nobu and the rest to compete would salvage something out of this disaster and give the Japanese something to smile about. I don't see why crushing their dreams helps anyone at all. Let Worlds go on in April or May and let the world behold the brilliance and strength of Japan as symbolized by these wonderful skaters.

 

[Snoopy]

If Russia is truly offering a venue that would be ready in a few weeks, I wish the ISU would accept the offer. There is a way to do quickie visas, etc. Where there is a will, there is a way. October doesn't really make sense to me.

 

[Jammers]

Good to hear someone like Igor Shpilband tell it like it is about Speedy. He's right the skaters are not being taken into consideration.

 

[stevlin]

Have Worlds in another country.

Japan is not safe now nor will it be safe in October. Do not put our athletes at risk Japan.

 

[CoyoteChris]

Igor is right. I dont care if it is in Russia or Colorado Springs. I do feel for the Japanese people just like I feel for the New Zealanders or Hatians or those from Indochina. If the Worlds were to be canceled every time a country had a disaster, they would never be held. I am sure there are many great towns like Colorado Springs with fanstastic facilities that could take in the skaters, let them practice for a week on the many sheets of ice in town, and hold the Worlds. Sure there would be logistics problems....but I bet big local skating clubs like the Broadmoor could solve them. Let the games begin as a tribute. Never give up....never!

 

[Olympia]

I like Jason Dunjien's viewpoint, either the ISU should hold Worlds somewhere outside of Japan soon (in the next month or so) or the entire event should be cancelled. The skaters need closure on this within days, they cannot train in a state of limbo.

I am inclined to agree. Somehow the statisticians will have to figure out everyone's standings without a regular season, but we can't string the skaters along this way.

It occurs to me that Jason Dunjen has an extra link to Japan through his wife, Yuka Sato; they must be so distressed about various relatives right now, no matter where in Japan the relatives are located.

Another thing that occurs to me...we think a world championship in a single sport is tough to reschedule. Can you imagine if the Olympics had had to be moved? Tiny silver lining to this monstrous cloud.

 

[bekalc]

Igor is right. I dont care if it is in Russia or Colorado Springs. I do feel for the Japanese people just like I feel for the New Zealanders or Hatians or those from Indochina. If the Worlds were to be canceled every time a country had a disaster, they would never be held. I am sure there are many great towns like Colorado Springs with fanstastic facilities that could take in the skaters, let them practice for a week on the many sheets of ice in town, and hold the Worlds. Sure there would be logistics problems....but I bet big local skating clubs like the Broadmoor could solve them. Let the games begin as a tribute. Never give up....never!

Exactly. Maybe though it will be hard for Japanese fans to see worlds somewhere else. But I can only know that if World figure skating championships was scheduled in my town and a Katrina/911 type situation happened there. I'd much rather them be moved and get to see skating eventually. I mean it would at least be something to enjoy thats not taken away. Surely worlds can be rewarded to Japan ASAP.

It really bothers me when I hear people say you should realize worlds is trivial. If worlds is trivial because Japan is suffering, its trivial because Libya is suffering too. But nobody said worlds was trivial then. At least be consistent.

The thing is I can live without worlds if its just not possible financially or logistically. I can live with that. But I don't get the whole "the only way to respect is not to have it thing."

 

[Serious Business]

The head of Russia's sports ministry offered to host Worlds in his country ASAP. That's an entirely credible offer. Plus, Russia has went without hosting Worlds for longer than Japan. Interest in the sport remains high in the country, even higher now that Sochi is coming and preparations for those Winter Olympics have been in the news (they just unveiled the mascots after a national voting competition that even Putin weighed in on). It may not make as much bank as Worlds in Japan, but it's better than nothing (which is what may happen if they insist on keeping Worlds in Japan).

 

[clairecloutier]

I've posted an online petition. It calls on the ISU to reschedule Worlds at another location this spring. If you support this idea, please visit the link and sign the petition. Thanks!

http://www.change.org/petitions/res...pionships-for-spring-2011#?opt_new=f&opt_fb=t

 

[seniorita]

I dont mind worlds in October ,since my idea was Japan or cancel, I know there will be discomfort and some rule arragements for next season gp, but i can live with that and it is not something permanent so maybe skaters can adjust as well for one time in teir carreer, it is not te end of all.. On the other hand I m not sure I understood why they cant be hosted elsewhere earlier as well but if there are contracts and legal issues ...
But I dont uderstand why people say skaters should skate the same programs of this season in Wolrds in OCtober, is it obligatory to keep the prorams you had when you were chosen for the world spot?
otherwise couldnt they have new prorams or what they wish to chane for next season, just as what they would do if the would compete in the first gp of the next seaso which takes place around the same dates?? Skaters who would be at worlds 2011 normally wouldt have 5 months to prepare for new prorams anyway for a gp competition tlike Skate America? Sorry if this is a stupid question, I just dont get why we cant face it like an early gp event or sometin in terms of time (not te rest problems that occur).For someone in Coupe de Nice competition 2011, preparation time between previous and next season , it is same ...

 

[blue dog]

If Russia is truly offering a venue that would be ready in a few weeks, I wish the ISU would accept the offer. There is a way to do quickie visas, etc. Where there is a will, there is a way. October doesn't really make sense to me.

A lot of federations have pull, and can get quickie visas. That was how they used to do it in the nineties, when the Champions Series Final would fall in an Olympic year (ok, it was 1998!), and it was held three weeks AFTER the final event.

If they hold the WC's in October, they have to truncate the GP, and move up the September Senior B's so that skaters can have a final tune-up before WC's. I do not think skaters want to show first-event quality at a WC.

 

[sorcerer]

Maybe posted elsewhere, but JSF told the press that they received an inquiry from Cinquanta whether they can hold the Worlds in Japan in September or ealy October.
Seiko Hashimoto, former speed skater and head of JSF, said they will search whether they can or not obtain a venue for this. She also said that Cinquanta told them he needs 5 months' time span AFTER the necessary "declaration of safety" comes out from the Japanese Government, to prepare the Worlds.
Also that the final decision will be made (by the ISU) in March or early April.

http://mainichi.jp/enta/sports/general/news/20110317spn00m050010000c.html

So, as I see it, it's all a procedure to justify Speedy himself making the cancellation of this Worlds.
Speedy knows that there will be no such declaration of safety this month or early next month.

IMO we can see here the logical conclusion ... Speedy's logic though.

BTW I'm ashamed of myself for not being able to foresee this situation that is unfolding in Fukushima ... and consequently the inconveniences happening in Tokyo. If only the engineers had designed the emergency cooling system more crisis-resistant (it's absolutely a mis-engineering) then we could have had a much better settlement for the Worlds '11 ..... But for now, we'll carry on our life here, and yes rebuild/ameliorate what's wounded in this island with your help. Thank you so much everyone for your encouragement to my country.