Irina Rodnina: “Excluding Russian pairs and ice dance, ISU simply wants to leave us without Olympic medals. Therefore, when our athletes compete under neutral status, they must, they are obliged to take first place.”
Irina Rodnina explained that the ISU denied neutral status to Russian pairs and ice dance teams for Olympic qualification, allowing only singles skaters to compete.
original source: Sport24
Three-time Olympic figure skating champion and State Duma deputy Irina Rodnina named the reason why the International Skating Union (ISU) refused to grant neutral status to Russian pairs and ice dance duos for Olympic selection. Here’s a translation of her comments.
“It’s very unfortunate that our figure skaters were not allowed to compete in all disciplines at the Olympics. In pairs, we would definitely have taken medals from foreign athletes. It’s clear that in ice dance, we would have been contenders for something. Although there is very high competition in ice dance worldwide right now. I’m not saying others have moved ahead, but there are many strong dance teams globally, while we’ve been isolated for four years. It’s one thing to make plans and count how many triples and quads Russian skaters can do, but it’s another when it comes to direct competition.
The decision to exclude Russian skaters from pairs and ice dance was made by the ISU, not the International Olympic Committee. They allowed us in men singles because there is a clear leader among men internationally, and it’s not our skater. They simply want to leave us without Olympic medals.
Therefore, when our athletes compete under neutral status, they must, they are obliged to take first place. That’s our civic position, because the anthem is played only for the champion. And when our athlete stands in first place without a flag or anthem, everyone will know where they’re from,” Rodnina was quoted as saying by VseProSport.
Related topics: Irina Rodnina, ISU, Olympic Games
Those poor athletes. What horrible pressure to put them under. It’s inhuman!