Why should the Russian subforums be closed?
This is a figure skating board and there is still figure skating going on in Russia.
I'm not sure that any fed would want to invite Russian skaters right now.
I won't be surprised if Russian sport officials will seriously consider making their local analogue of IOC and ISU governing bodies - with their own rules and competitions (like it was in chess and box). In that case Russian athletes will have their motivation to stay as well - but their area of competition will be directed to Russia, China and Middle East region.
Why should the Russian subforums be closed?
Honestly, cancelling everything Russian will not be a solution to this conflict.
I guess it's just a common way to organize message boards.
I think it will be the opposite, tbh, and the two remaining feds with push for as many places on the podium and in top 6 as they can get, particularly if Russian quotas are gone (and, yes, they should be or this is all weak sauce). I think they will do it rather blatantly. I also want to see if there will be low scoring for Russians skating under different flags—it is in human nature to do so.
If they will get scored higher, it would be an interesting message opening intriguing possibilities, but it has to come with a relaxation on transfer rules out of Russia, otherwise, well, it’s so many layers of hypocrisy that it will be suffocating. Unfortunately, I don’t think men can transfer out of Russia because they will be in a violation of draft rules? I have no idea how it works for guys who have the university exemption if they try to leave.
All those ISU and IOC mottos about sport neutrality and uninvolvement with politics turned out to be lies in the end. I see.
I don't get why so many people are glad about that decision though and considers it as just. It's not like Russian skaters started that war, isn't it? When punishing innocents for crimes they didn't do - just by their belonging to certain nationality or country - became a virtue here?
I watch everything, even ice dance, and for me, the hardest hit for removal of the Russians out of competition is in men, so the impact is beyond loving pairs and women.I'm so happy that I'm not a "pairs-only" or "women-mostly" etc. watcher. How would I ever have found Emily and Ian then?
Yes it's generally reduced but not to that extent. Post-olys worlds still have a more competitive fields than this year worlds. There is always most of the big guns and at least one olys medalist who compete in each discipline. Now all the favorites for medals in pairs are out (even China). It isn't just the same comp.
).I can't wait for Worlds--to see Nathan again, especially. Also, KanaDai! And the Japanese pair. And our US ladies.I certainly don't think there will be less excitement at Worlds 2022. There'll be more. Opportunities will spring up for more skaters. The Possibility of Surprises means more excitement and desire. Will there be an 'asterisk' by the skaters' names? No. Every competition depends on who shows up, who has a bad day, who has the skate of their life. Who brings freedom and beauty to their performance and athleticism.
Perhaps the most shocking phrase to me was: "They have done worse to themselves, there will be no interest in figure skating without Russian athletes." --V. Piscev. Combined with what so many of the Russian athletes say or at least allude to or seem to believe, that you've failed if you're not on the podium, I find it sad and discouraging. Especially because I really love a number of Russian skaters.
It's in my head still -- I learned in childhood: "it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game." As an adult, I believe it.
Competition can bring out the best in persons.
The skaters I find the most interesting, enchanting, and entertaining are the ones whose skating combines athleticism with purpose and intention -- beyond who comes out ahead. Those purposes and intentions are various and unique to skaters: passion, musical expression, performance, edges, emotional connection with audiences, artistry, joy, desire to communicate, sheer enjoyment of skating .... the list goes on.
The quote I most admire from February is: "Could not be more grateful to have lived out our Olympic dream." --Ashley Cain-Gribble, on her Olympic experiences and skates with Timothy Leduc. https://www.instagram.com/p/CaNd0cTPKR_/
Finally, the skaters I've re-watched obsessively since January are Emily Bratti/Ian Somerville, newly partnered Ice Dancers who came 5th at US Nationals and 5th at Four Continents. There's just nothing like their joy in skating, their gorgeous unity of movement/rhythm, beauty and harmony. It's about pure dancing and skating. Best place to watch them, at 50m: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu9qB6EeO3k.
I'm so happy that I'm not a "pairs-only" or "women-mostly" etc. watcher. How would I ever have found Emily and Ian then?
I watch every discipline, too, although not every skater in every discipline, because of time constraints. I only used the "pairs and women" phrase to make a point, but unfortunately I wasn't very clear. I'll edit that for (hopefully) clarification.
Russia violated the Olympic Truce which is a tradition going back to 776 BC.All those ISU and IOC mottos about sport neutrality and uninvolvement with politics turned out to be lies in the end. I see.
I don't get why so many people are glad about that decision though and considers it as just. It's not like Russian skaters started that war, isn't it? When punishing innocents for crimes they didn't do - just by their belonging to certain nationality or country - became a virtue here?
I won't be surprised if Russian sport officials will seriously consider making their local analogue of IOC and ISU governing bodies - with their own rules and competitions (like it was in chess and box). In that case Russian athletes will have their motivation to stay as well - but their area of competition will be directed to Russia, China and Middle East region.
If anything, I wish sports were state sponsored here in Canada, not taking funding from sports’ schools in Russia.
