So I was watching Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski get interviewed in a special just before the primetime Beijing closing ceremony broadcast. I was eager to see if they had any meaningful insights as to how figure skating could move forward from the current doping scandal.
Unfortunately, they didn't present a whole lot of meaningful insights other than the need to investigate Kamila's coaches (and they didn't even call out Tutberidze by name! ).
When asked about the possibility of a higher age limit, they seemed somewhat resistant to it. However, Tara mentioned that she was able to become an Olympic champion at 15 because she had supportive adults around her.
This got me to thinking: what kinds of standards exist for coaches in figure skating today? Are they national standards, international standards, or both? Are organizations like SafeSport doing enough to weed out coaches that physically or mentally damage their skaters? Can coaches be banned for life? Although I am from the US, I am curious about the rules and regulations in other countries as well.
Furthermore, how could figure skating foster a culture of compassion and respect among adults towards their skaters, similar to how the skaters respect one another? I know compassion isn't a thing that can be easily measured, but how can compassionate coaching behavior be increased?
Last but not least, is there a need for an international coaches' association to promote appropriate coaching standards and codes of conduct?
I am eager to hear your insights and am hoping this discussion can provide a meaningful catalyst for change.
Unfortunately, they didn't present a whole lot of meaningful insights other than the need to investigate Kamila's coaches (and they didn't even call out Tutberidze by name! ).
When asked about the possibility of a higher age limit, they seemed somewhat resistant to it. However, Tara mentioned that she was able to become an Olympic champion at 15 because she had supportive adults around her.
This got me to thinking: what kinds of standards exist for coaches in figure skating today? Are they national standards, international standards, or both? Are organizations like SafeSport doing enough to weed out coaches that physically or mentally damage their skaters? Can coaches be banned for life? Although I am from the US, I am curious about the rules and regulations in other countries as well.
Furthermore, how could figure skating foster a culture of compassion and respect among adults towards their skaters, similar to how the skaters respect one another? I know compassion isn't a thing that can be easily measured, but how can compassionate coaching behavior be increased?
Last but not least, is there a need for an international coaches' association to promote appropriate coaching standards and codes of conduct?
I am eager to hear your insights and am hoping this discussion can provide a meaningful catalyst for change.