ISU Statement on Russia's war against Ukraine - Participation in international competitions of Skaters and Officials from Russia and Belarus

[caseyedwards]

I agree there never should have been a middle ground. I keep likening it to South Africa and Apartheid. The entire country was banned from everything for years, as it should have been, and no doubt there were plenty of Sth African athletes who missed out, but because there was no middle ground there was no space for individual athletes to speak out.
I'm thinking Adam will get a lot of pushback from this.

Wars have been ignored for years as legitimate government policies not within ioc rules. Like all the United States invasions and bombjngs of countries which was not punished at all.

 

[Debbie S]

^^^ To add some context to the above, Benoit Richaud recently choreographed programs for Russian-born Polina Dzsumanyijazova (HUN) and her coach Leonid Sviridenko posted this from their time in New Jersey (Adam is in photo #2): https://www.instagram.com/p/C6i_X6huX-2/

It looks like Zingas/Kolesnik were there too this week...he just posted a story on IG with a photo of him, Richaud, and Adam. I suspect Adam's comments won't go over well with Vadym but I wouldn't expect Vadym to say anything publicly to that effect.

 

[airgelaal]

Ukrainian athletes also said that sports should be separated from politics. But the first destroyed sports facilities quickly put the brains in place.
russia threatens France with tanks and missiles every day. Perhaps Adam should wait until the russian missile destroys his skating rink. Will he even then sympathize with russian athletes who will pretend that they don’t see or know anything, but simply continue their lives outside of politics?

 

[Jammers]

I had no sympathy for Russia before the invasion with their systematic doping which i felt should have banned them in every way possible from the Olympics under any damn flag so i have zero ****s to give about the poor Russian athletes.

 

[kosjenka]

I think that insisting on that the war is the reason Russia and Belarus should be banned is wrong. It doesn’t take very long to think of several other countries in the recent history that started wars and kept on going without ever getting into this sort of trouble in the world of sports.

I would ban Russia for doping, and I would ban them for a long time. I wouldn’t stop with Russia.

 

[Karen-W]

I think that insisting on that the war is the reason Russia and Belarus should be banned is wrong. It doesn’t take very long to think of several other countries in the recent history that started wars and kept on going without ever getting into this sort of trouble in the world of sports.

I would ban Russia for doping, and I would ban them for a long time. I wouldn’t stop with Russia.

Again, the rationale for the ban is not necessarily the war but the timing of it - this is hardly the first time either, by the way, that Russia has chosen to invade another country during the Olympic Truce period - see 2014 (Crimea) and 2008 (Georgia). Russia should absolutely be banned for their repeated misconduct.

Can I see a bit of leniency toward Belarus? Perhaps. The problem is they are allowing Russia to use their facilities and land as a staging ground for the war.

 

[caseyedwards]

Again, the rationale for the ban is not necessarily the war but the timing of it - this is hardly the first time either, by the way, that Russia has chosen to invade another country during the Olympic Truce period - see 2014 (Crimea) and 2008 (Georgia). Russia should absolutely be banned for their repeated misconduct.

Can I see a bit of leniency toward Belarus? Perhaps. The problem is they are allowing Russia to use their facilities and land as a staging ground for the war.

This is totally phony. United States Great Britain and others illegally invaded Iraq and conducted war operations during 2004 Olympics 2006 Olympics 2010 and faced no consequence! This is phony. Why weren’t they punished for conducting wars during Olympics? Because it’s phony

 

[coppertop1]

This is totally phony. United States Great Britain and others illegally invaded Iraq and conducted war operations during 2004 Olympics 2006 Olympics 2010 and faced no consequence! This is phony. Why weren’t they punished for conducting wars during Olympics? Because it’s phony

How old are you?

Meanwhile Ukrainian weightlifter killed in war

 

[Sylvia]

Meanwhile Ukrainian weightlifter killed in war

This sad news was posted yesterday in this thread in Other Sports (#567):

Impact of Russia-Ukraine War on sports worldwide

I'll be surprised if there's even 10 Russians at the Olympics. I'd be surprised if they don't have a full contingent.

www.fsuniverse.net

 

[airgelaal]

Meanwhile in russia, Valieva, Plushenko and juniors Kostyleva and Dvoeglazova attended the inauguration. Were they forced again?

Камила Валиева и Елена Костылева присутствовали в Кремле на инаугурации Владимира Путина - Новости-Ру - Главные новости сегодня | Последние новости России

Фигуристки Камила Валиева, Елена Костылева, а также ряд других, начинающих представителей фигурного катания оказались в числе приглашенных гостей в Кремле на инаугурации Владимира Путина 7 мая. На церемонии также замечен был самый титулованный фигурист-одиночник России Евгений Плющенко. Такое...

novosti-ru.ru

 

[Lanie]

Where is the puke emoji when you need it to respond to a post? Ugh.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Where is the puke emoji when you need it to respond to a post? Ugh.

Right here, honey (in the stylings of Karen Walker)

 

[airgelaal]

Short story about the Ukrainian dance team from from Kaitlyn Weaver

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[caseyedwards]

Meanwhile in russia, Valieva, Plushenko and juniors Kostyleva and Dvoeglazova attended the inauguration. Were they forced again?

Камила Валиева и Елена Костылева присутствовали в Кремле на инаугурации Владимира Путина - Новости-Ру - Главные новости сегодня | Последние новости России

Фигуристки Камила Валиева, Елена Костылева, а также ряд других, начинающих представителей фигурного катания оказались в числе приглашенных гостей в Кремле на инаугурации Владимира Путина 7 мая. На церемонии также замечен был самый титулованный фигурист-одиночник России Евгений Плющенко. Такое...

novosti-ru.ru

If they were “invited” they can’t reject it! They would be killed. So how can you say it was voluntary? You can’t say it was voluntary.

 

[cholla]

They would be killed.

 

[Sylvia]

Posting a reply (re. the recent spate of Russian skaters transferring, or hoping to transfer, to other countries) in this thread that's relevant to this one:

... but i wish that since all these ppl are switching why not let russia back in. They let the coaches go to tournaments (actively support war) , but not skaters (even juniors) who honestly have nothing to do with the war.

ETA:

The bosses of Russian figure skating believe in the 2026 Olympics. Seriously?
[Editorial] By Andrey Simonenko (May 26, 2024)

Боссы российского фигурного катания верят в Олимпиаду-2026. Серьезно?

Исполняющий обязанности президента Федерации фигурного катания на коньках России (ФФККР) Антон Сихарулидзе назвал высокими шансы сборной страны на участие в... РИА Новости Спорт, 26.05.2024

rsport.ria.ru

Acting President of the Russian Figure Skating Federation (FFKKR) Anton Sikharulidze called the country's national team's chances of participating in the 2026 Olympic Games high. A RIA Novosti Sport correspondent outlines the current state of affairs related to the exclusion of Russians from the international arena and discusses whether the official’s optimism is justified.

 

[Karen-W]

Posting a reply (re. the recent spate of Russian skaters transferring, or hoping to transfer, to other countries) in this thread that's relevant to this one:


but i wish that since all these ppl are switching why not let russia back in. They let the coaches go to tournaments (actively support war) , but not skaters (even juniors) who honestly have nothing to do with the war.

Nope. There's no need to hear the Russian anthem or see the Russian flag at any competitions. Let the skaters who can switch to other countries do so. At least then the prize money for any placements, etc will go to other federations and won't, hopefully, be used to help fund Putin's sports-washing propaganda machine or state-funded doping schemes.

The bosses of Russian figure skating believe in the 2026 Olympics. Seriously?
By Andrey Simonenko (May 26, 2024)

Боссы российского фигурного катания верят в Олимпиаду-2026. Серьезно?

Исполняющий обязанности президента Федерации фигурного катания на коньках России (ФФККР) Антон Сихарулидзе назвал высокими шансы сборной страны на участие в... РИА Новости Спорт, 26.05.2024

rsport.ria.ru

There is no direct quote from anyone at the FFKKR, but especially not Sikharulidze. The article makes it pretty clear that chances are actually quite slim.

And another factor is that the Winter Sports Association, which includes seven international federations, has much more weight on the world stage than the corresponding structure in summer disciplines. There are too many summer federations, and it is more difficult to develop a consolidated decision there. And there are only seven winter ones, and among their heads, for example, are two Swedes, an American, a Latvian, a British... That is, it is approximately clear what kind of mood reigns there. If this association has collectively agreed not to allow Russians into the international arena, and this is exactly what happens in all winter sports, then it is easier for the South Korean ISU President Jae Yol Kim, who recently took up his post, not to stand out from the general ranks than to pursue an independent policy.

 

[Sylvia]

There is no direct quote from anyone at the FFKKR, but especially not Sikharulidze.

“We are waiting for reason to prevail”: Sikharulidze - about the admission of skaters (Andrey Simonenko's May 24 article):

"Ждем, когда разум восторжествует": Сихарулидзе — о допуске фигуристов

Исполняющий обязанности президента Федерации фигурного катания на коньках России (ФФККР) Антон Сихарулидзе, говоря о возможности допуска российских фигуристов... РИА Новости Спорт, 24.05.2024

rsport.ria.ru

“We, of course, are waiting for reason to prevail and our colleagues from the international federation to give Russian athletes the opportunity to compete at international competitions. When they do this, only they know when it will descend on them. We also hope that all the tournaments that exists on Earth, will be full-fledged, with the participation of all the strongest athletes,” Sikharulidze told reporters.
“We don’t discuss much with the ISU the possibility of Russian figure skaters performing, because today this topic is very difficult for them. We hope that this will happen in the near future,” added the acting president of the FFKKR.
Sikharulidze told what he last talked about with the ISU leadership. “The last time we interacted with the ISU President and General Director, we talked about the development of figure skating in general, about the judging system, our vision for the development of figure skating, so that the audience would have more interest in international tournaments,” he noted.

 

[Samurina]

Meanwhile in russia, Valieva, Plushenko and juniors Kostyleva and Dvoeglazova attended the inauguration. Were they forced again?

Камила Валиева и Елена Костылева присутствовали в Кремле на инаугурации Владимира Путина - Новости-Ру - Главные новости сегодня | Последние новости России

Фигуристки Камила Валиева, Елена Костылева, а также ряд других, начинающих представителей фигурного катания оказались в числе приглашенных гостей в Кремле на инаугурации Владимира Путина 7 мая. На церемонии также замечен был самый титулованный фигурист-одиночник России Евгений Плющенко. Такое...

novosti-ru.ru

look for Plushenko no, Valieva prolly, and kids Kostyleva and Dvoeglazova can absolutely not be blamed because they would have been forced by either their coaches or parents. look i agree politics is the problem, but why are we blaming kids. Why if you ban russia, do coaches get to go to international competitions (Tutberidze, many other coaches)

 

[Theatregirl1122]

You're right. Russian coaches should also be banned.

 

[Vagabond]

T

Why if you ban russia, do coaches get to go to international competitions (Tutberidze, many other coaches)

Rightly or wrongly, there is a double standard here.

That said, if Tutberidze has a Georgian passport, for example, a ban against "Russian" coaches would not prevent her from traveling to and coaching at competitions.

Tutberidze may also have U.S. citizenship or, as the mother of an American citizen, at least an immigrant visa that would enable her to come to the United States at any time, pending her obtaining citizenship herself.

 

[BittyBug]

Why if you ban russia, do coaches get to go to international competitions (Tutberidze, many other coaches)

Rightly or wrongly, there is a double standard here.

I don't think it's a double standard at all. The athletes represent Russia and are funded by the Russian state - their victory would be Russia's victory and since Russia is being punished for violating the Olympic truce, it has been decided that Russia should not be allowed any glory through sports victory.

In contrast, when a Russian coach attends a competition for a non-Russian skater, the victory and glory goes to the skater and that skater's country, not Russia. (Of course, Russia can and frequently does still try to take credit but there is no official credit in the record books, only their yackety-yacking in sports.ru and other media outlets.)

 

[Frau Muller]

I mean... we could hit their ice rinks with missiles so they can't train there?

Ilia Malinin’s maternal grandfather teaches skating in Russia (Ekaterinburg?). We don’t want to bomb that rink.

 

[airgelaal]

look for Plushenko no, Valieva prolly, and kids Kostyleva and Dvoeglazova can absolutely not be blamed because they would have been forced by either their coaches or parents. look i agree politics is the problem, but why are we blaming kids. Why if you ban russia, do coaches get to go to international competitions (Tutberidze, many other coaches)

Or they themselves wanted to be there. I understand the difference in responsibility between adults and minors, but I don't understand the stubborn reluctance to admit that russian children actually sincerely support the war and putin. Or will they suddenly change their minds on the day they come of age?
I wonder if these kids were happy to be trained by a known rapist and pedophile, would many still support them? Even when these children would insist that there is nothing wrong with violence and pedophilia, and that the victims themselves are to blame? Would everyone agree to give them an international platform to spread these ideas?

 

[Karotyna]

Ilia Malinin’s maternal grandfather teaches skating in Russia (Ekaterinburg?). We don’t want to bomb that rink.

I hope you don't sugest it's ok to bomb other rinks.

 

[Hedwig]

I hope you don't sugest it's ok to bomb other rinks.

No idea what Frau Müller said (she is best set to ignore) but yes, WE do not want to bomb any rink or anything for that matter.
I am perfectly happy to let Russia live in peace as long as they stop the fecking war and leave the rest of the World alone.

And I do not want any Russian children in skating competitions. Like others said, it feeds the propaganda and I would just be sick watching them right now.

 

[Karotyna]

No idea what Frau Müller said (she is best set to ignore) but yes, WE do not want to bomb any rink or anything for that matter.
I am perfectly happy to let Russia live in peace as long as they stop the fecking war and leave the rest of the World alone.

And I do not want any Russian children in skating competitions. Like others said, it feeds the propaganda and I would just be sick watching them right now.

What can I say? I wasn't watching women singles since 2014. I'm not interested in abused and emaciated children jumping quads and winning due to overscoring and I don't want to witness another child forced to end their carrier too soon due to grave injury or another doping scandal. As to russian skaters changing feds - I'm ok with it as long as these feds don't pay for the training in Russia and as long as the inland skaters aren't hurt by allocation of funds.

She suggested that "we" shouldn't bomb specific icerink where someone form Malinin's family is supposed to work.

 

[Hedwig]

Ah yes. Classic Frau Müller. Name dropping and no humanity. That is what the ignore list is for. I heartily recommend the use!

 

[Frau Muller]

I hope you don't sugest it's ok to bomb other rinks.

No. I was afraid that anti-Russian comments were suggesting bombing rinks related to people with Russian-heritage skaters, such as Ilia (US citizen with granddad living in R).

 

[Frau Muller]

Ah yes. Classic Frau Müller. Name dropping and no humanity. That is what the ignore list is for. I heartily recommend the use!

USAID worker saving people in troubled lands. Very kind of you.