ISU bans Russia and Belarus from competitions

[surimi]

What about all the other Russian skaters representing other countries with Russian coaches? It will be a very interesting next couple of weeks!

And I think a very stressful couple of weeks for those athletes. Fingers crossed for them, but especially for the skaters in Ukraine like Shmuratko. They're the most unsafe of them all if they're in their home country right now. Heartbreaking

 

[norwegianfairytale]

Not just at Worlds. At any international competitions of ISU.
Same sanctions are on ice-hokey, football, cross-country skies & biathlon, speed skating, basketball, handball, volleyball etc.

It could be a political decision, but it's based on the very political input of war.

Actually not in cross-country yet, there is a big drama in Norway now because FIS rejected that Russian/Belarus athletes should be banned. There is world cup starting this week and the Russian athletes are already in Norway, including Bolsjunov (he actually is named as Captain in the army by Putin). The Norwegian ski union does not agree, other athlete are very unhappy about this and the ski union is going to forbid them now no matter what FIS says. The main sponsor for the world cup even has decided to have their logo in Ukrainan colors on the start bibs to keep them from competing. Belarus athletes decided to withdraw eventually because of the pressure. The Russian athletes are not pleased with the situation.

This would all have been solved easily if FIS just listened to the host at the beginning and allowed them to ban. This is why i´m very happy ISU has come to this conclusion so there won´t be the same drama and confusion in France. I feel for the athlete who went all the way to Norway and won´t be able to compete now, all though FIS say it was ok. But they should have been banned from the beginning. We don´t need situations like this in sport, it was already very tense for the figure skaters at Olympics because the CAS decision on Kamila.

 

[Sjs5572]

As of right now I'm out as well from watching Worlds. Shouldn't go political, ISU.

Way too late for that. ISU has always been political. Finally, a good reason for it to be so.

 

[Mirunna]

I do feel for the Russian skaters. It is not their fault at all.
I do however applaud the decision. In the end the skaters’ good results are part of Putin’s propaganda since training facilities are state funded. He basically uses them (and all other athletes) for his own agenda.
Not to mention the pressure and international backlash they would receive in France. Beijing mess in ladies event was enough.
Men and ice dance competition will not be that affected since outside of S/K there were no podium contenders. Pairs will be interesting, with the pair from Japan having a shot now.
I will also root for either Wakaba or Kaori to win this After all Eteri drama this might actually be a very nice event in the end.

 

[Piett]

That's really bad for the athletes, especially for the girls who might never again compete at international events. And it pretty much ruins the events. Figure Skating without russian skaters is like football without brazilian players. But I do agree with the decision. We can't pretend that nothing happened.

 

[Placebo11]

FS without the Russian girls is like tennis without Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.
I'm heartbroken for them.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

I do feel for the Russian skaters. It is not their fault at all.
I do however applaud the decision. In the end the skaters’ good results are part of Putin’s propaganda since training facilities are state funded. He basically uses them (and all other athletes) for his own agenda.
Not to mention the pressure and international backlash they would receive in France. Beijing mess in ladies event was enough.
Men and ice dance competition will not be that affected since outside of S/K there were no podium contenders. Pairs will be interesting, with the pair from Japan having a shot now.
I will also root for either Wakaba or Kaori to win this After all Eteri drama this might actually be a very nice event in the end.

This is how I feel also. I´m glad they just decided right away so that we won´t have the same drama as in Olympics. It was exhausting for all athletes. Now we can hopefully have an event that is concentrated around figure skating and not have the focus taken away by all the drama behind. It seems they might have sent Kamila, and then we would have the same situation again with medal ceremony would not be held if Kamila would have placed top 3.

I feel sad for the athletes though, but I actually think it for the best for the impacted athletes as well. They were already under a lot of pressure at Olympics because of the doping scandal, they are probably very impacted about what is going on both Russia and Ukraine now, they would face a lot of difficulties getting there, and they don´t need to stress more and feel again that they are in the center of drama and "unwelcome" - first doping, then war. I think IOC and ISU are doing them a favor, let them deal with all the stuff going and not set them under more pressure. I just hope this wont last too long, and that they won´t be excluded for a long time.

 

[pearly]

FS without the Russian girls is like tennis without Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.
I'm heartbroken for them.

I don't know. There was one GP event this season without Russian girls and it was actually normally scored and did not have an expected outcome. With the standard inexplicable PCS and now the doping scandal, I think this will be the best and fairest women's event in a while. If it takes place at all.

 

[Greengemmonster]

I'm going to watch Worlds if it's on!

Kaori is fantastic, love Young You who will be right up there. Alysa could try a riskier layout and cause some trouble. Pity Mai won't be there! She could potentially cause some trouble too!

I'm just so sad Bradie and Rika can't participate

The men's competition is going to be nuts regardless since they're all crazy good.

And I want the Olympic Bronze ice dance team (Hubbell and Donahue! I've since worked out their names!) to get another medal. They were amazing imo!!!!

 

[amc987]

I support Ukraine and have great sympathy for the Ukrainian people. I abhor Putin. I'm anti-war, and I support severely sanctioning the Russian government and its enablers in order to end the war. And I guess this is what the ISU felt that it needed to do.

But I can't help but feel that banning all Russian and Belarussian athletes and officials is unfair. To my knowledge, none of them had anything to do with the war effort. Russian athletes in other sports have spoken out against the war, despite the personal risks that come with doing so (e.g., Rublev, Medevedev, and Pavlyuchenkova in tennis). It's a pity that the skaters from these countries won't be able to compete at all (even under neutral flags with no anthems, etc.) due to circumstances beyond their control.

 

[WednesdayMarch]

I do feel for the Russian skaters. It is not their fault at all.
I do however applaud the decision. In the end the skaters’ good results are part of Putin’s propaganda since training facilities are state funded. He basically uses them (and all other athletes) for his own agenda. . . . After all Eteri drama this might actually be a very nice event in the end.

I think this very neatly sorts out a problem that has been creating a very nasty smell around figure skating - and all sports - for a while. We know that there is a Russian state doping problem. Giving them a ban but allowing them to compete under a slightly different name, which always included "Russia" in it anyway, was just a total cop out. It's desperately sad for the athletes but they are part of Putin's propaganda machine, which is just as sad. Whilst I love to see all the athletes from all the countries skate, I like a fair competition and, frankly, it just hasn't been.

I'm hoping the day comes very soon when peace, civility and fair play break out. Right now, my heart hurts for so many people.

 

[NaVi]

While there will be some public wailing about the decision, I bet the majority of the russian skaters are glad to not have to be put in the position to have to skate during this situation... especially since it's immediately after the Olympics.

If this extends to the fall I'm sure it will be contested.

 

[karne]

I support Ukraine and have great sympathy for the Ukrainian people. I abhor Putin. I'm anti-war, and I support severely sanctioning the Russian government and its enablers in order to end the war. And I guess this is what the ISU felt that it needed to do.

But I can't help but feel that banning all Russian and Belarussian athletes and officials is unfair. To my knowledge, none of them had anything to do with the war effort. Russian athletes in other sports have spoken out against the war, despite the personal risks that come with doing so (e.g., Rublev, Medevedev, and Pavlyuchenkova in tennis). It's a pity that the skaters from these countries won't be able to compete at all (even under neutral flags with no anthems, etc.) due to circumstances beyond their control.

Putin uses them for propaganda and they are state-funded. They are tied to the politics of this whether they like it or not, whether we like it or not.

I note that those who are flouncing off claiming they will not watch Worlds have no pity for the Ukrainian skaters, whose country is being invaded and whose very lives are at risk.

 

[yume]

I'm sad for the athletes. It may seem right, fair but it's sad.
Congrats to the medalists but i won't watch.

 

[Giu]

That said, this will be the most interesting and rewarding women's event in a while.

Totally agree, for the first time in the last few years we’re going to have a fair and open women’s figure skating event

 

[Giu]

Btw I don’t understand those who say that they’re not going to watch Worlds.
Would have they said the same if Ukrainian skaters were the only ones not allowed to compete just because Russia invaded their country?
I have the funny feeling they would have watched without complaining

 

[Sugarpova]

well hopefully Misha & Liza won't retire & will stay to participate in local competitions. We are people too who adore them

idk if I will watch. Probably yes but totally get the people who won't.

 

[brens78]

I’ll still watch but won’t be the same without the Russians.

 

[DancingCactus]

Great decision, good that they managed to find their spines.

If shunning Russian athletes internationally helps putting even a little bit of pressure on Putin, then I'm all for it even if it sucks for the athletes themselves. And given all the suspicion and drama surrounding Russian women's skating in the last years, I'm actually glad if we'll be able to concentrate on the non-Russians for a change.

 

[Piett]

I might watch but i'm not very enthusiastic. I thought that maybe T/M could win, especially if Sui/Han stay away. Pairs and Ladies are very open now.