Officials question new rules by Beverley Smith

[Mazurka Girl]

Globe & Mail Article (http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/PEstory/TGAM/20021219/SFITOX/sports/sports/sports_temp/2/2/34/)

[Emilieanne]

It is good that several officials are speaking out about this. However, I still maintain that the new scoring system is not the solution to the ethical problems, as we all very well know. There is still no place in the rules that outline ethical standards for officials, let alone any severe penalties for their infraction.

The notion that Speedy is pushing this new scoring system in order to keep Dr. Rogge and the IOC off his back makes perfect sense (so he can claim to the IOC that the ISU is doing something). However, since the new scoring system does not actually address the ethical issues, the problems will continue (maybe even get worse)...as we all know. Heat needs to be kept on the IOC so that they are not fooled by this nonsensical ploy and, consequently, enact and vigorously enforce ethical standards for officials (along with severe consequences for malfeasance) for all sports the same way that the doping issue is being dealt with. In this way, the ISU cannot say it is being singled out.

Unfortunately, despite the embarrassment the IOC suffered in Salt Lake due to the shennanigans of the ISU, I did not read anywhere in the report from the 114th Session that was just held last month in Mexico City where this issue was dealt with. I guess all we get in our Christmas stockings on this one is a lump of coal.:roll: :frus: Yet on the other hand, the 115th Session of the IOC will take place this coming July in Prague...and by that time we will all see what this new scoring system is doing (and not doing). As I said, heat needs to be kept on the IOC so they are not fooled by Speedy and the ISU.

[AxelAnnie22]

Where is the USFSA in all of this? Why don't we hear from them? Surely they have some weight to throw around, given the amount of money they contribute to the sport.

I don't see anything that indicates an honest attempt to address the issues. Looks to me like people are guarding their own power, and window dressing things so the IOC and public will quiet down.

I am more disheartened with each thing I read.:cry:

[Emilieanne]

They are doing "window dressing" to get the IOC and the public to quiet down? Yes indeed! What we do is simple! We do NOT quiet down until ethical standards for officials are enacted and vigorously enforced..we must NEVER settle for any less! In fact, MORE noise is needed until the right thing is done (I realize this may be a very long time but that is unimportant). We all know that. What happened in Salt Lake clearly proved that the IOC can force the ISU to take action (I wonder exactly what they did to accomplish that). (Any of you remember that Speedy and Dr. Rogge were sitting together during the men's final? Speedy looked like he was going to get sick.)

:idea: Although some of you naysayers may "thumb your nose" at this suggetion, but perhaps if Dr. Rogge's mailbox and the IOC fax machine are flooded with correspondence on this issue, something will indeed get done. Since things are so bad as they are now, there is nothing to lose by doing this, and the potential to gain substantially. Also send copies of your correspondence to the CEO's of the sponsors (sponsors vary from country to country, I believe)...and show those copie on your letters to the IOC...The 115th Session of the IOC is this coming July in Prague.