Yuri Balkov excluded for life from all ISU activities and events

[BrightSkates]

His country being in crisis had nothing to do with him being corrupt. I'm sure he's been doing this for decades.

I get what you mean but he obviously had a bias that was documented that he purposely scored former Russian skaters skating for different countries now- lower than others. There's no way there isn't even a hint of politics involved.

 

[Vagabond]

The DC does not accept Mr Balkov’s explanation that his message is an expression of passion and love for Ice Dancing

They'd probably give him a Level 3 or 4 on his chutzpah, though.

 

[terisa]

My thoughts exactly. Banning a serial cheater, who is basically retired, 30 years after his cheating was well documented, and pointing to it like they took a hard line. There aren’t enough for this. How much harm has been done from inaction over the past 30 years?

Exactly. Rolled my eyes so hard I think I saw my spine!

 

[overedge]

The ISU needs something like a "two strikes and you're out" policy. First finding of misconduct: suspension for the rest of that season, and for the following season. Second finding of misconduct: banned forever.

 

[Dragonlady]

My thoughts exactly. Banning a serial cheater, who is basically retired, 30 years after his cheating was well documented, and pointing to it like they took a hard line. There aren’t enough for this. How much harm has been done from inaction over the past 30 years?

I've been booing that man at every live event I've attended where he was corrupting the judging table. It's beyond disgusting that it's taken so long to rid the sport of Balkov, Speedy, Didier and that whole corrupt cohort even as all of their cheating was being exposed.

When results are rigged, it's not only unfair to the athletes competing, it's discouraging families from putting their kids into the sport. Why spend years of hard work and training, if medals can be bought no matter how good your athlete skates?

 

[Jammers]

The ISU needs something like a "two strikes and you're out" policy. First finding of misconduct: suspension for the rest of that season, and for the following season. Second finding of misconduct: banned forever.

I say one strike and you are out forever.

 

[overedge]

I say one strike and you are out forever.

I'd be OK with that too. But I was going with the idea of giving the person a warning that this behaviour is unacceptable, while also giving them a chance to show better behaviour.

 

[Dragonlady]

I'd be OK with that too. But I was going with the idea of giving the person a warning that this behaviour is unacceptable, while also giving them a chance to show better behaviour.

I'd be OK with judges in training being told "If you ever think of cheating, you're banned for life".

It takes YEARS of training before a judge is sent out internationally to judge. It should be stressed at every level of training that the sport relies on the INTEGRITY of its judges. Those without it, should be dismissed - immediately. No second chances.

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

The meat of the complaint/decsion begins at the bottom of page 4. It is very interesting: https://isu-d8g8b4b7ece7aphs.a03.az...ova-Mader--FINAL-DECISION-1743599479-1183.pdf

I suspect increased scrutiny on Ms. Olena Lisova (UKR), Ms. Ece Esen (TUR) and Mr. Roland Mäder (SUI) moving forward.

Under the umbrella of suspicion, imo NONE of the remaining three should be permitted to judge at the Olympics or Worlds. I know that the IOC oversees Olympic events but the ISU assigns the judges. And all three for sure should be watched very carefully at other events.

This is the kind of nonsense that gives such a bad rep to judged sports. Smh.

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

No that was another Ukrainian judge Alfred Korytek. Balkov was the 1998 Ice Dance phone call to Jean Senft guy.

Jeez! As far back as 1998 and STILL allowed to judge for years after! Smh.

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

I've been booing that man at every live event I've attended where he was corrupting the judging table. It's beyond disgusting that it's taken so long to rid the sport of Balkov, Speedy, Didier and that whole corrupt cohort even as all of their cheating was being exposed.

When results are rigged, it's not only unfair to the athletes competing, it's discouraging families from putting their kids into the sport. Why spend years of hard work and training, if medals can be bought no matter how good your athlete skates?

Not to mention the money. So many families sacrifice so much, take second and even third jobs, just so that their child can participate in a very expensive sport that they love - unless you come from a country where such sports are state subsidized. But even then, no one wants to see their child cheated out of medals by unscrupulous judges.

 

[Dragonlady]

Not to mention the money. So many families sacrifice so much, take second and even third jobs, just so that their child can participate in a very expensive sport that they love - unless you come from a country where such sports are state subsidized. But even then, no one wants to see their child cheated out of medals by unscrupulous judges.

I tore up the bills after they were paid because I was frightened to total them. I kept hoping and praying that if my child got there, they would have cleaned up the sport by then. But also for the kids and the families we knew who did make it.

It got better after the code of points came in, but the crooked feds learned to game that one too after a time. We just went through this ugly period of block judging after the former Soviet Union broke up and we kept ending up with 4 or 5 former USSR judges on 9 judge panels, combined with completely corrupt ISU national officials willing to collaborate and deal for medals.

 

[jägerbomb]

Yuri Balkov? What is it, 1999?

Regardless, I'd wager Jean Senft is getting white girl wasted this weekend.

 

[bardtoob]

I thought this was an old april fools post.