ISU Cancels 2020 World Figure Skating Championships

[Skate Talker]

@B.Cooper has it right, I think. It would have been dangerous and unfair to ask skaters to travel across the world at this time. It would expose them to more risk and possibly leave them trapped in Canada for who knows how long afterwards. Just the mental stress would put them at a huge disadvantage against more local competitors.

So just watching news in Canada and an international conference held in Toronto last week has now resulted in an attendee from Canada testing positive for the virus. Delegates came from over 100 countries and have since dispersed so big challenge to chase down possible source and possible additional infected people. IMHO this shows the cancellation of the Figure Skating championship to be completely prudent - necessary even. The whole talk now is about the necessity of "flattening the curve" to lessen overwhelming health services, the health care workers, equipment like respirators, supplies, available care beds etc. I saw a clip of a health official in the US talking about the need to follow the example of the great Wayne Gretzky and not be "where the puck is, but where it is going to be" as the only way to manage this pandemic.

 

[starrynight]

This is probably the biggest issue for the Russian ladies who have that really small window of opportunity. I wonder if Sambo 70 will do something like conduct an exhibition skate of their programs because the level of physicality those girls have right now may not be capable of repetition in a years time?

 

[Carolla5501]

And how are they going to chase down all those people? They’re not. The truth is is I don’t know that we can contain this. I don’t know if they should have the event, but I’m not sure there’s a long-term solution out there

 

[MacMadame]

The long term solution is a vaccine.

And also once you have it, you have immunity so eventually, it will run its course. It's not like Ebola and SARS and all the other pandemics are still pandemics. They ran their course. People still get those diseases but not in numbers that overwhelm the healthcare system so they are now manageable.

 

[DELTA]

Horrible news!

 

[Skate Talker]

I think this is our new reality. And I’m curious as to how long we keep this up. Or a year from now we still not going to be having any events because of this? this thing is out of the bag and there’s not really a containment strategy. What we do now is panic and pretend were containing it but the truth is we’re going to have to let it run its course probably.

And how are they going to chase down all those people? They’re not. The truth is is I don’t know that we can contain this. I don’t know if they should have the event, but I’m not sure there’s a long-term solution out there

The whole talk now is about the necessity of "flattening the curve" to lessen overwhelming health services, the health care workers, equipment like respirators, supplies, available care beds etc. I saw a clip of a health official in the US talking about the need to follow the example of the great Wayne Gretzky and not be "where the puck is, but where it is going to be" as the only way to manage this pandemic.

I think most countries have now publicly stated that real containment is no longer a possibility, it's all about slowing things down so the healthcare system isn't so overwhelmed. Letting it run its course can be dramatically different if we use our common sense rather than just saying "Que Sera, Sera".

A year from now who knows. If the infection rates prove as high as the worst-case scenarios there will be many fewer people who won't have immunity due to already going through it, unless the virus mutates enough to victimize them again. This lack of "fresh fuel", hand in hand with the quarantine measures, has led to the sharp drop-off of new cases in China I believe.

 

[hanca]

Toilet paper... don't knock it... sometimes it is more valuable than hard currency and becomes a trading unit...

Туалетная бумага СССР

Кто сомневается, пусть не сомневается, хоть это и отрывок из американского фильма "Москва на Гудзоне", но так увы и было при совке.

www.youtube.com

Москва на Гудзоне / туалетная бумага в подарок

Москва на Гудзоне / Moscow on the Hudson / озвучка: Горчаков Туалетная бумага в подарок любимой женщине

www.youtube.com

Tinami, trust you to find clips from films for any occasion!

 

[Frau Muller]

I can’t even escape to Europe for ballet. All of my favorite opera houses that specialize in the classics are closed into April, even Paris Opera Ballet and Berlin Staatsoper...not just Milan. I’m wondering when/if major venues in the US will close, like the Lincoln Center theatres or Kennedy Center near home. I’m darn lucky that I got to see ABT in its big world premiere last week in Costa Mesa. Whew!!!

 

[Anemone]

As disappointed as I am to not get to attend Worlds and get to see it live, I think they have made the right decision.
I do have a lot of sympathy for the athletes who have trained so hard for this, and will miss out. As well as all coaches, officials etc.
But I think this decision is in the best interests of everyone - athletes, coaches, officials, media, spectators, and the citizens of Montreal.
@A.H.Black commented upthread on the airtime Worlds (and other cancelled sports events) was scheduled for and that now broadcasters will need to fill that time. I intend to email the Canadian broadcaster (since I happen to be Canadian) and suggest they take a poll or vote from fans on what previous skating event(s)/program(s) they would like to see re-aired to fill the time. I would love to see them do a compilation broadcast(s) off all the Canadian World/Olympic medal winning performances over the last decade or two. I'm quite sure that would fill some air time and give the skating fans of this country something to watch & enjoy.

 

[Seerek]

I can't see Lake Placid hosting Synchro Worlds in 3 weeks either.

 

[Judy]

I’m so sad for everyone involved.

 

[AxelAnnie]

I'm stunned that they're not even trying to postpone, but simply outright canceling the event.

I think they are being humane. At this point how could they begin to know when to have it......where to have it....or who would be able to attend? Skaters have trained to be in top shape Right now. How do you duplicate that. What about all the things the skaters turn their attention to like new programs, working on new jumps.....family vacations?

They could schedule "a world championship" event, but it would not be "The World Championships"

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

CNN, reports getting so bad in Italy they may have to make decisions about whom they treat and whom they don’t, like wartime

 

[FSWer]

Like others I certainly understand but sad for everyone involved - so many people! Here in the US some events are not being cancelled but just no spectators. Feel the worst for the skaters.

Well, hopefuly the viris will go away soon. It took 2 month to start going away in China. So hopefully they'll reschedule the competition. Poor skaters.

 

[Judy]

CNN, reports getting so bad in Italy they may have to make decisions about whom they treat and whom they don’t, like wartime

Yes my friend’s nephew is trapped over there with no flight home. He finished his studies so no lodging hopefully he has found something. There aren’t a lot of cases in Canada yet but yah the risk from people travelling From all over the world .. Really feel bad for everyone.

 

[Frau Muller]

According to this, Worlds 2020 could still happen in October. “Canceled...for now...”

World figure skating championships canceled due to coronavirus, at least for now

The world figure skating championships, scheduled for next week in Montreal, have been canceled due to the coronavirus.

olympics.nbcsports.com

 

[screech]

While ultimately I think it's the right choice to cancel Worlds, I kind of scratch my head at the fact that the womens world curling championships are not being cancelled (they're taking place in BC next week). I know the crowds aren't the same, but you still have international cross-over...

Back to skating. While in some ways it would be fair to keep the current world assignments in place for next year, I also think the season rankings, or next year's GP performances should be taken into account too. Or look at the SB scores of everyone who was going to attend worlds, and rank them, and use that to determine placements and therefore spots. I don't know, but I hope the ISU takes their time to figure things out.

The bright side is that it gives skaters a bigger jump on getting their programs started for next year.

 

[RoseRed]

While ultimately I think it's the right choice to cancel Worlds, I kind of scratch my head at the fact that the womens world curling championships are not being cancelled (they're taking place in BC next week). I know the crowds aren't the same, but you still have international cross-over...

Different province, different people in charge of making the call.

The bright side is that it gives skaters a bigger jump on getting their programs started for next year.

Yes, although many work with choreographers from other countries, which may not be possible right now.

 

[screech]

Different province, different people in charge of making the call.

Yes, BC actually has 10 times the reported cases as Quebec (as of yesterday, BC at 39, Quebec at 4).
But in any case, I hope all goes well in BC for the curling, and wish all the teams the best of luck.

On to skating, Nam posted a cute video, along with a good, mature caption on his instagram when mentioning the Worlds cancellation.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Well Trump just suspended all travel to Europe. So that would’ve effectively canceled worlds in Montreal anyway.

This is getting real serious.

 

[russell30]

The Isu will meet in Congress to discuss the possibility of holding the world championships every two years, alternating with the Europeans and 4cc,s, that way the worlds will be earlier and the main contenders can attend the 4cc, a directive in the pipeline.

Obviously a world championship would fall on an Olympic cycle or whether they propose an Olympic cycle to fall on an euro and 4cc year maybe better but might hamper top athletes to attend 4cc...

 

[BaileyCatts]

The Isu will meet in Congress to discuss the possibility of holding the world championships every two years, alternating with the Europeans and 4cc,s, that way the worlds will be earlier and the main contenders can attend the 4cc, a directive in the pipeline.

Obviously a world championship would fall on an Olympic cycle or whether they propose an Olympic cycle to fall on an euro and 4cc year maybe better but might hamper top athletes to attend 4cc...

No. No no no no no no no no! Don't like this idea at all. Not.at.all!!!!

 

[Colonel Green]

Well Trump just suspended all travel to Europe. So that would’ve effectively canceled worlds in Montreal anyway.

No, it wouldn’t. It might have meant some flights being rerouted.

The Isu will meet in Congress to discuss the possibility of holding the world championships every two years, alternating with the Europeans and 4cc,s, that way the worlds will be earlier and the main contenders can attend the 4cc, a directive in the pipeline.

That proposal isn’t going anywhere.

 

[Frau Muller]

Well Trump just suspended all travel to Europe. So that would’ve effectively canceled worlds in Montreal anyway.

This is getting real serious.

The ban doesn’t affect the UK.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Yes my friend’s nephew is trapped over there with no flight home. He finished his studies so no lodging hopefully he has found something. There aren’t a lot of cases in Canada yet but yah the risk from people travelling From all over the world .. Really feel bad for everyone.

Where is he trapped in Italy? See if he can check out this...

Swiss Railways did not suspend trains to Italy, they only reduced the schedule. The trains are still running on main routes. Swiss-Italian border is still open as of today (don't know for how long). There are routes to Geneva and Zurich. have him get out of Italy to one of these major hubs and buy a ticket home, or use his other ticket for exachange/route change.

https://www.thelocal.ch/20200309/switzerland-border-with-italy-to-remain-open

Italian officials tell holidaymakers to 'end your travel and go home'

In a statement today the UK Foreign Office said British holidaymakers in Italy should fly home while they still can as increasing numbers of airlines cancel their flights in and out of the virus-hit country.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[screech]

The Isu will meet in Congress to discuss the possibility of holding the world championships every two years, alternating with the Europeans and 4cc,s, that way the worlds will be earlier and the main contenders can attend the 4cc, a directive in the pipeline.

Obviously a world championship would fall on an Olympic cycle or whether they propose an Olympic cycle to fall on an euro and 4cc year maybe better but might hamper top athletes to attend 4cc...

The sport changes so much over a two year period, that the quality of skaters from a country could be vastly different! I also feel like having to wait 2 years for another chance at Worlds would in a way make the Olympics less 'special'. Also, bigger chance for a skater to completely miss out on ever experiencing Worlds due to circumstances like injury, equipment failure, growth spurts, etc, then other new skaters coming up.

IMO Canada and US should have their nationals a bit earlier in January, like they do during Olympic years, and both Euros and 4CC should be end of January. Worlds should be end of February, maybe first week of March, EXCEPT in an Olympic year.

IMO 4CC will never get quite the same caliber of skaters as Euros, since skaters from all over the world have to travel so much to get to it, whereas for Euros it's much easier to travel. Maybe they should go back to how it used to be and have a North American championships, and also introduce an Asian championships (not sure if there ever was one...). That's the only way you'll get all the top skaters to these continental competitions.

 

[blue_idealist]

The Isu will meet in Congress to discuss the possibility of holding the world championships every two years, alternating with the Europeans and 4cc,s, that way the worlds will be earlier and the main contenders can attend the 4cc, a directive in the pipeline.

Obviously a world championship would fall on an Olympic cycle or whether they propose an Olympic cycle to fall on an euro and 4cc year maybe better but might hamper top athletes to attend 4cc...

What?! Just because it's cancelled once in an emergency situation doesn't mean we should lose it once a year from now on.

 

[Colonel Green]

IMO 4CC will never get quite the same caliber of skaters as Euros, since skaters from all over the world have to travel so much to get to it, whereas for Euros it's much easier to travel.

This isn’t even really an issue anymore. Skaters don’t skip 4CC anymore unless it’s for health reasons, generally — there are special cases like Nathan where it doesn’t fit his university, but that’s anomalous.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

The NBA has just suspended the season

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

The ban doesn’t affect the UK.

Correct. As of Wednesday evening. Who knows about tomorrow