COC cancelled - Italy will host

[ladyjane]

The following message by the ISU was received today, the 16th of August

The ISU was informed of the cancellation of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating – Cup of China, that was scheduled to take place from November 4-7, 2021 in Chongqing (CHN).

Unfortunately, in view of the very limited international flights in all inbound cities in China and the relevant prevention restrictions in COVID-19, the concept of a "competition bubble" can not be realized. The ISU regrets that the hosting of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating – Cup of China is no longer viable and thanks the Chinese Figure Skating Association for their continued effort and support.

In order to maintain the 6 Events of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, leading to the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, which will take place in Osaka (JPN), on December 9-12, 2021, the ISU invited ISU Members who would be interested in hosting this event on the originally planned date (November 4-7, 2021), to apply for the event.

Further information will be provided in due course.

 

[icetug]

Helsinki, is it possible you save GP event again? I really hope so...

 

[ines42575]

Or Torino, their GPF was pretty well organised too

 

[StitchMonkey]

This does not bode well for the Olympics

 

[Amei]

I think the gp series is dead they just aren't publicly saying it. China has canceled their event, France isn't going to let certain people in, I doubt Canada is going to be all that open.

 

[Supernovaimplosion]

This does not bode well for the Olympics

Never say never, but the Olympics has a lot more money in it than one figure skating event. So I think its safe for now

 

[nussnacker]

I think the gp series is dead they just aren't publicly saying it. China has canceled their event, France isn't going to let certain people in, I doubt Canada is going to be all that open.

I had some lingering hope, that it might all work out… but yeah, seems like GP series are dead.
Trankov said that he (along with 1/2 coaches and skaters scheduled for SkAM) don’t have American visas, and that it’s looking like a problem.

 

[Jeanie19]

What about Germany or South Korea?

 

[CrazyKittenLady]

According to the Russian FSO forum, which cites a telegram channel as a source, Finland is being discussed as a possible alternative to host the GP. Let's wait and see.

 

[GarthAqua]

When can we have all the international events back?
No news about Asian Open yet but if AO got cancelled then the OG might move to 2023

 

[AlexBreeze]

According to the Russian FSO forum, which cites a telegram channel as a source, Finland is being discussed as a possible alternative to host the GP. Let's wait and see.

This was stated by Vladislav Zhukov (tele-sport). He also reports that China doesn't want to cancel Asia Open.

 

[lariko]

I was expecting Canada to fold first, tbh. Fingers crossed Finland can host…

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I'm not surprised by this. The fall tennis tournaments that take place in China have mostly been cancelled as well.

 

[MaiKatze]

They should have decided that much earlier. In this situation it is hard to get a country do a replacement event. And honestly, if one event doesn't happen the whole series makes no sense.

 

[Amei]

They should have decided that much earlier. In this situation it is hard to get a country do a replacement event. And honestly, if one event doesn't happen the whole series makes no sense.

Its not just China not happening, in France at least some skaters won't be able to go based on their country's status.

 

[Cutting the ice]

I was expecting Canada to fold first, tbh. Fingers crossed Finland can host…

With respect to Canada and foreign travellers - updated information here. Canada allows fully vaccinated foreign nationals with an acceptable vaccine to enter without quarantine (rule change for Americans was August 9; rule change for rest of the world tentatively September 7). Acceptable vaccines at this point are Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneca and Jaansen/Johnson & Johnson.

 

[moonvine]

Ugh. This is why I drove to Cranberry. We were lucky to get in an in person event. Not another year like last year

 

[Supernovaimplosion]

With respect to Canada and foreign travellers - updated information here. Canada allows fully vaccinated foreign nationals with an acceptable vaccine to enter without quarantine (rule change for Americans was August 9; rule change for rest of the world tentatively September 7). Acceptable vaccines at this point are Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zeneca and Jaansen/Johnson & Johnson.

That still precludes Russian skaters, for example. The ISU will need to figure something out because the French travel affecting the jgp rules will affect Russian skaters attending Idf, too, won't it?
Edit: It's not just Russia either. There are other countries without widespread vaccination. And what about Americans/Canadians/Europeans who choose not to get it

 

[surimi]

I hope the series can be salvaged, somehow But it sure must suck to be a Chinese or Russian skater at this point; not sure what they'll figure out for them regarding senior GP in Canada and France There should be exemptions from the pandemic requirements for athletes I think, as they get monitored and tested all the time (if the host country really wants to), unlike common holiday travelers...

 

[Supernovaimplosion]

I hope the series can be salvaged, somehow But it sure must suck to be a Chinese or Russian skater at this point; not sure what they'll figure out for them regarding senior GP in Canada and France There should be exemptions from the pandemic requirements for athletes I think, as they get monitored and tested all the time (if the host country really wants to), unlike common holiday travelers...

Actually, I think Canada has an exemption:
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/c...nal-single-sport-travel-authorization.html#a2
But I don't understand it