When will Russian skaters return to competition?

[Skating91]

Today is June 16th. Next few weeks take us through June and July. JGP starts in August. I feel the math on this is pretty clear.

The ISU have played it beautifully. Although Sikharulidze couldn't make it more easy for them.

 

[lariko]

I don't disagree with what Sikharulidze is doing. Unlike other sports, FS is a judged sport so he has to preserve good relationships for the sake of the athletes' future results. A release with scores that are impacted by negative attitudes is a Pyrrhic victory. He has to work to bring small circle's professional affiliations to the fore and make it more important in the hearts and minds than the politics-driven resentment. It's an ungrateful and hard task not made any easier by the larger circumstances. But on the balance of probabilities, with this timing, we won't see Lazarev, Kostyleva etc in JGP. Which was all that mattered to me, so I am now logging out and that's that for this next international season.

 

[kasik8222]

At this point it's hard to feel sorry for them. They deserve to be banned for the last 5 world championships for being so meek and submissive to the ISU. Sikharulidze has no backbone at all, but where are the skaters who are probably dollar millionaires (or on the government teet for life) like Zagitova, Valieva, with nothing lose standing up for themselves and their fellow competitors, and then you have Mishin 85 how many more years has he got left and still more concerned with protecting his patch than making a stand.

I love the Russian skaters, but they need to be taught a lesson at this point and banned for another year. In other sports they fought for their rights and were reinstated, Russian skaters just don't deserve it. And when they come back they will be lowballed and they will sit and take it once again.

It was their choice.

How can they not be livid with this ban for FIVE world championships in a row? Why should anyone help them or petition for them when they don't have the courage to stand up for themselves. This would have been a slam dunk case at CAS.

Skaters should have demanded Sikharulidze stand down yesterday. No-one has ever done more damage to the sport in Russia.

Russia is banned for a reason. Ask yourself what Russia herself did wrong to be banned in the first place. It is not about lack of action now. It is about 2022. What happened back then? Oh, wait....

 

[skateboyforlife]

Russia is banned for a reason. Ask yourself what Russia herself did wrong to be banned in the first place. It is not about lack of action now. It is about 2022. What happened back then? Oh, wait....

The us invaded iran

 

[kasik8222]

The us invaded iran

In 2022? Suuuure. USA whataboutism is russian favourite thing to do in life. No suprises.

 

[IceDancingQueen]

In 2022? Suuuure. USA whataboutism is russian favourite thing to do in life. No suprises.

But it is fair point. If we are basing this only on Russia’s actions in 2022 then we are talking about Ukraine (not doping). Both Israel and the US are invading countries and committing war crimes and are not banned, so if we are using that logic then they should both be banned too. Their actions are way beyond the normal rules of war. If they are not banned then it seems unfair to use Ukraine as reason to keep Russia banned. I’m just playing devil’s advocate here - not tying to get into a discussion about politics or who is morally wrong or right.

If it’s about doping then I wish the ISU would actually just say that instead of beating around the bush.

 

[Anna K.]

But it is fair point.

No, it's not. It's whataboutism.

To have any fairness or justice, you have to investigate the matter first. You cannot run around yelling "this country commits war crimes" and "that country invades" and expect it to matter.
Every country at war says the same thing: "That other other country was a threat to our safety". But was it really so? Investigate that. Did Ukraine threaten Russia? Did Iran threaten Israel?

Same about war crimes. All countries at war say the same thing: "They (our enemies) commit war crimes." But is it so? Investigate that. Do proper prosecution. Hold the trial. Then you can say "It's a crime" and expect the reaction.

Without that, it's whataboutism or just pointless talking.

Check Russian-Ukrainian war crimes Wiki regarding the job done against Russia.
Good for you if you want to hold the U.S and Israel accountable for whatever wrong, but please, do the job first. Then, expect the reaction.