“In the ISU, Americans and Canadians hold dominant positions, and frankly, they don’t like us. They’ve decided to treat themselves to more medals for another year.” Russians about ISU decision to uphold the ban
Translation of the comments made by Russian functionaries regarding the ISU decision to upheld the ban.
original sources: ISU / TASS / Sport24 / MatchTV / Sport-Express
The ISU upheld sanctions against Russia and Belarus. This was reported on the website of the International Skating Union:
“The International Skating Union (ISU) has supported the Skating Federation of Ukraine since the start of the war, implementing ISU Communication 2469, and also granting financial support to assist Ukrainian Skaters. The ISU reiterates its sympathy for and solidarity to all affected by the War in Ukraine. The ISU maintains its condemnation of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. The ISU Council met on June 9-11, 2023 and discussed the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) recommendations of March 28, 2023 for International Federations on the participation of athletes with a Russian or Belarussian passport in international competitions. The ISU Council decided to explore the feasibility issues with regard to potential pathways to implement the IOC recommendations within ISU Sports. The Council will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and its impact on the ISU activity as well as the decisions and their implementation within the Olympic Movement. In the meantime, ISU Communication 2469 remains in force.”
Here’s translation of the comments made by Russian coaches and functionaries regarding this decision to different Russian media (original sources are provided on the top of the page).
Alexander Kogan stated that figure skating loses a lot without Russians.
“In fact, they have extended our suspension, so essentially, nothing has changed. We will continue to prepare and develop figure skating as we have been. It’s unfortunate that our sport loses a lot without Russian figure skaters,” said the General Director of the Figure Skating Federation of Russia in a comment for TASS.
Irina Rodnina, a three-time Olympic champion, called ISU’s decision to extend the suspension of Russians predictable.
“In the ISU, Americans and Canadians hold dominant positions, and frankly, they don’t like us. This decision doesn’t surprise me at all; it’s predictable.
Right now, they’re competing for medals among themselves that they could only dream of when Russians were competing. They’ve decided to treat themselves to more medals for another year.
But after a while, they won’t have a chance to keep us out, and everyone will see how boring it was without us,” said Irina Rodnina in a comment for Sport24.
Tatiana Tarasova expressed strong criticism of the International Skating Union.
“I didn’t expect any other decision! Curse them! They want our figure skating to not be as strong, to see us falter.
But we will not allow that to happen! This season, the athletes are better than ever,” said the Honored Coach of the USSR in figure skating in a comment to Sport-Express.
“This year, we are already skipping. Now the question arises whether they will allow us next year.
ISU should understand that international competitions lose their appeal without Russian figure skaters, and television loses revenue as a result.
This year, we are already skipping. Now the question arises whether they will allow us next year.
ISU should understand that international competitions lose their appeal without Russian figure skaters, and television loses revenue as a result,” said Tarasova to MatchTV.
Related topics: Alexander Kogan, Irina Rodnina, ISU, Tatiana Tarasova
I don’t see any interest in the ISU competitions without the Russians. I prefer watching the Russian Grand Prix this year again… What a shame for figure skating !
The ISU is such a predictable political creature it’s disgusting.
It’s sad really, that so many of us, likely the majority, who love skating hate its governing body, the ISU.
I think it’s just fine without Russian skaters. It’s authentically authentic competition…I prefer it! They are not missed. They should stay in Russia and organize their own competitions as they have been doing. It’s good for all of us.