I think a lot of people think that, actually. Like you said, it’s often a reduced field. Maybe not a blanket “less worthy medals” statement, but more in the sense… “oh wait, XY medaled at Worlds one year? Oh ok, those were post Olympic Worlds.”
ISU bans Russia and Belarus from competitions
- Thread starter pearly
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- Mar 14, 2007
Might not have been watching very long to be fair
The war certainly isn't fair to them. I didn't suggest that it was. It's horrible - illegal, immoral, and completely unjustified. Putin and his cronies should pay a huge price for their crimes.
But I don't think the war becomes more fair to the Ukrainian athletes who are worried for their safety, that of their families and friends, their worldly possessions, and their way of life, by banning Russian and Belarussian athletes from ISU competitions.
Someone else made the point that the Russian athletes are state-funded and frequently used as propaganda tools. That's fair, and the ban might irk Putin more acutely as a result. But a lot of athletes from countries that do horrible things are also state-funded and used as propaganda tools. For example, China is literally committing genocide against the Uighurs, and their athletes are state-funded and propagandized. Not only are China's athletes not banned from ISU events, but China just hosted the Olympics.
I'm not suggesting there's a perfect solution, or that there aren't reasons for the ban. I still feel bad for the athletes who are banned, when they have nothing to do with the war effort. Those feelings in no way diminish my already expressed sorrow for Ukraine and hopes for peace.
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Wow, Lariko, I was pretty much trying to welcome you to figure skating fandom, since you admitted being fairly new, and in what I thought was a light-hearted way, but I'm feeling a lot of aggression from you; don't get why. If you don't like or want my suggestions, so be it, that's fine (although imho you are missing enjoying some fantastic skating and skaters by relegating any before 2010 to "historic records", but whatever . . .). As to your reference to "gloating" and "blanket accusations" I don't support either of those, and I think if you've read any of my comments, you'd see that. I happen to support the IOC's decision in terms of banning Russia from international events, but----again, see my name (even if you hate him)---I am generally a fan of Russian skating, and will miss them at Worlds.I don’t need old champions, I want to cheer for the guys who skate right now, while at the stadium. I have a list of skaters I want to see live and slowly going through it, despite the pandemic. I saw Trusova win gold twice, in SkCan 2019 and in SkAm this year. I saw Sakomoto. I saw Uno, Chen, Zhou and Grassl. I missed Aliev, whom I was going to see in 2020 in Montreal. I was hoping to see Popov or Kutovoy in 2023 here, in Calgary, in JGP, which is not going to happen now, I guess.
What happened in 1990 or 2010 is just historic records to me. The figure skating drama as it unfolds is what attracts me. I want to see living, breathing people going for it. so, as far as I am concerned, American and Japanese singles men dominated the sport—and I still watched it with pleasure and rooted for whoever it pleased me to root. I never complained that there was pretty much no Eu men in top 6 in this Olympics, except Kvitelashvili, who happens to be one of the skaters whose skating I don’t enjoy. But people endlessly complain about Russian women, and it is so annoying, even when Kihira pretty much handed over her medal last worlds and Sakomoto medaled…
I support the ISU in banning of the Russians from the international competitions due to unjust and horrid war Putin brought to Ukraine. I have skaters I would watch the worlds for particulary if JWC is cancelled.
I do not support gloating, however. I do not support blanket accusations. And my heart bleeds for a whole bunch of Rus favs, and, yeah, it can do so while being outraged about Putin’s crimes and people in Ukraine suffering and dying for it. In addition, I am specifically worried about Olympic results being used for spots allocations after (if) the ban is removed, and even more narrowly if that makes Mozalev into next Kolyada in terms of internal scorn, but none of Kolyada’s armour of the only man who gets PCSs internationally.
As for Yagudin, he is the pettiest, the most toxic, the most obnoxious human being possible and he disgusts me beyond redemption with his behaviour.
Peace.
Moonvine,
Sorry, this comment was directed to Lariko
I will definitely be watching worlds! From a geopolitical standpoint, it is so unfortunate that it has come to this, for all of the skaters involved, from Russia but especially from Ukraine. The IOC and ISU are absolutely doing the right thing with this sanction. There's little enough that can be done by the world to dissuade Putin from this course, this kind of falls into the least we can do.
From a viewing perspective, I will actually enjoy the women's competition far more, since I boycotted viewing it at the Olympics because of the Russian doping.
I imagine this will impact the calculation of a few of the athletes as to whether they will attend worlds or not, with some podium spots opening up in women's, pairs and dance.
From a viewing perspective, I will actually enjoy the women's competition far more, since I boycotted viewing it at the Olympics because of the Russian doping.
I imagine this will impact the calculation of a few of the athletes as to whether they will attend worlds or not, with some podium spots opening up in women's, pairs and dance.
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- Dec 28, 2006
Agreed, The system has again failed these young athletes who have worked their whole lives for this year. For that Olympics, and this worlds. I can't imagine their anger, disappointment, hurt. I wonder if the doping issue had not come out if the ban would have been enacted, or, or of course if there was no doping issue that had come to light if Putin's assault on Ukraine would have caused the same. Likely the latter. I can't be happy about this. Skaters who have worked and trained had their hopes and dreams dashed this season and I can't think that was the right call. Sadly, there is no right thing to do here. As of right now, I doubt that Worlds will continue at all. Most people I know won't entertain traveling to Europe right now at all.
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- Aug 1, 2011
Yes, I completely agree that it was incredibly arrogant, distasteful and insulting in oh so many many ways for Russia to invade Ukraine.
The Russian female skaters killed that event for me.
Funny, but I don't see many -- if not any -- non-Russians whining about this decision. Not one.
I think you’re right. It’s a reduced field, and a lot of the top skaters tend to be the ones who skip. So- I do think the Worlds after the Olympics are often viewed differently.
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- Feb 18, 2014
ahhhh....now I get it. Thanks for clarifying!
In my line of work, even a misplaced comma or period/full stop can get you in trouble. I work hard at choosing words and structuring sentences but yeesh, there are times...
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- Sep 1, 2020
This is the casualty that exists. I too had high hopes for T/M if they were planning to compete at Worlds.
However, the Ukrainian skaters and their fellow citizens and family members are facing much worse, through no fault of their own! I feel sorry for the Russian athletes who disagree with the course their government is taking under Putin, but more than mere slaps on the wrist are needed by the ISU and IOC in the face of unprovoked Russian aggression.
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- Aug 23, 2018
1Tv Russia is no longer available from France.
I wanted to watch the Russian Cup final but I no longer have access to any of the videos.
I wanted to watch the Russian Cup final but I no longer have access to any of the videos.
- Joined
- May 27, 2021
I heard that Youtube, Instagram, etc. are blocking Russian media in other countries.
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2019
Can confirm, 1tv is not available from Austria anymore either. 
I've downloaded some of the Russian Cup men's events, I can share if anyone wants them. And now I guess I'll get a proper vpn to continue watching my favourite skaters.
I've downloaded some of the Russian Cup men's events, I can share if anyone wants them. And now I guess I'll get a proper vpn to continue watching my favourite skaters.
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- Jan 31, 2019
I checked, and it is still available in Canada, but I assume the ban is coming as the day progresses. There goes my 2022 list. Not going to get vpn though, because, yeah, propaganda tool.Can confirm, 1tv is not available from Austria anymore either.
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- Jan 31, 2019
Temporary or intentional by the providers as a part of info-blockade?My vpn doesn´t connect to Russia anymore
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- Feb 14, 2018
I don´t know. There is a list with all the countries and every country has a button with "connect" on it. When it comes to Russia there is no button, only a symbol that says "maintenance work". So maybe it´s temporary, I just thought it is strange that every country is available and Russia isn´t.
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