Alexander Zhulin: “ISU really doesn’t want to see us, because right now they’re doing very well. They’re taking places they never would have gotten otherwise. Especially if Valieva and Trusova return.”

Alexander Zhulin believes the ISU does not want Russian athletes to return to international competitions and hopes for a change led by the IOC.

original source: SovSport

Figure skating coach Alexander Zhulin believes that the International Skating Union (ISU) has no intention of allowing Russian athletes back into international tournaments. Here’s a translation of his comments.

“I only know that the ISU really doesn’t want to see us, because right now they’re doing very well. They’re taking places they never would have gotten otherwise. Especially if Valieva and Trusova return, since they’re already doing quads.

I think the ISU will continue to take the opposite position for now. But a lot could change if the IOC makes a strong decision and says that sport should be outside of politics.

I really hope they let us compete, because for athletes of the caliber of Stepanova and Bukin, Kozlovskii and Boikova, Gumennik, Valieva, and Trusova, it will be very hard to stay in shape without motivation. I still have hope that common sense will prevail and we’ll be allowed back,” Zhulin said.

Related topics: Alexander Zhulin, IOC, ISU