isu & its money trail

[jagr15063]

I feel that the isu has not only failed with the judging issue they are

also failing in their responsibility to some its member nations. I feel

that someone has to look in to how the isu distributes money to its

member nations because there are member federations that are

strugging financially and it has created a class system in the sport

of figure skating. This especially true in europe. Because many of

the skaters from eastern europe train in some of most inhumane

conditions.

[Helen4]

:( Proberly goes to the speedskaters for Speedy:P

[Skatewind]

"Because many of the skaters from eastern europe train in some of most inhumane conditions."

Many of these skaters also come to the U.S. or Canada to train where they have access to free or reduced cost ice, sometimes at the expense of the country's own skaters who must pay the rinks for their ice time. The class system you refer to is not only limited to the poorer federations & countries.

What is your objection specifically with the ISU budget, & what exactly do you believe the other federations are receiving from the ISU that these countries are not?

[Charis]

It's about time someone spoke up about this issue. Unfortunately there is a great deal of public apathy towards the plight of ice rink conditions in eastern Europe. Because it's not happening in our back yard, we just don't give a damn. Pardon, my french but I get very emotional on this topic. Perhaps we could start an Adopt-A-Skater relief organization, fans could send their favorite skater a monthly stipend to cover the cost of flesh fabric, hair color, judges' bribes etc.

[AxelAnnie22]

What, if any, responsibility does the ISU have to the individual Federations? I would think that skating conditions within a country is the province and responsibility of that Federation, and that country.

[Gaela]

'Adopt a Skater' relief fund. LOL. Why not?

How about an 'Adopt a Fan' relief fund too? For the more wealthy skaters and fans to help out those of us can't afford to go to live competitions and get seriously depressed reading about it all :( :cry: :cry:

Maybe Skate Canada next year, though, 'Adopt a Fan' or no.

[Emilieanne]

:!: Good...it's about time people started asking where the ISU's money is going. If conditions are so bad in some of these countries, how can we make sure that any monies are going to address the issue and not land in the pockets of some "middleman?" Admittedly, the more promising skaters from these countries where conditions are so deplorable are sent to the west to train for obvious reasons. Those that train in the west have no excuse for bad clothes or bad hair, no matter what country they represent!:oops:

So let's play the game of "follow the money...";) ;)

[Poohsk8s2]

I had suggested an "adopt-a-skater" idea on another board several months ago. Living in Simsbury and using the rink there, we see many skaters form different countries that come in to train. For me, one of the scariest things is that so many skaters don't have health care provisions, even at the most elite levels.

When they are in their home countries, the federations take care of some/most/all of their needs, but here in the US the money is not forthcoming from home countries in many cases. Simple things like strep throat have been know to become chronic with some skaters. The coaches, and many skating friends try to pitch in and meet the needs of skaters who need help... but you have no idea how steep and rocky the road is to the top.

[IgglesII]

Originally posted by Charis
It's about time someone spoke up about this issue. Unfortunately there is a great deal of public apathy towards the plight of ice rink conditions in eastern Europe. Because it's not happening in our back yard, we just don't give a damn.


You're absolutely right. I don't give a d*mn about the condition of ice rinks in other countries. I'm more concerned about the poor in my own community that lack food, housing, heat, health care, etc. And I will continue to worry about those people first before I worry about someone skating on rough ice in Eastern Europe. It's called priorities.

[Poohsk8s2]

While I agree with your prioritization Iggles, I think that the issue at hand is the distribution of ISU funds. (That sounds more harsh than intended.)

Most sports have a well supported venue in which to train and advance their athletes. The NCAA oversees the collegient (sp?) team sports in the US and often athletes are provided with education, health care and board while they hone their athletic abilities, in beautifully equipped facilities. This venue is not open to Americans only, many students from other countries attend universities and colleges under NCAA guidelines. The close scrutiny that the NCAA endeavors to achieve has turned college sports into a successful powerhouse here in the US.

However, to the best of my knowlege, there is no system that exists like this for figure skating. Yes, certain federations support skaters while in very controlled circumstances or after they have reached an elite level BUT it is rare that a federation will support an athlete if said athlete leaves the arena of their country.

So again, I think it is not unreasonable to ask where the ISU distributes their money. With all that has happened this year, it is my humble opinion that the entire system of skating needs a close examination. I don't think it is too unreasonable to ask federations for reciprocal health care or equal distributuion of funds/envelopes as they are established, regardless of where an athlete trains. With the power and money in skating, I also think that the money could filter down a bit further to up and coming skaters.

At the end of the day, it has been the athletes that have suffered most... not the judges, not the officials, and certainly not the leadership of the ISU.

[Charis]

Originally posted by IgglesII
You're absolutely right. I don't give a d*mn about the condition of ice rinks in other countries. I'm more concerned about the poor in my own community that lack food, housing, heat, health care, etc. And I will continue to worry about those people first before I worry about someone skating on rough ice in Eastern Europe. It's called priorities.

How can you be so selfish? :cry:

Do you realize that for the cost of your daily cup of coffee, you could meet an impoverished European ice dancer's flesh fabric needs for an entire year?

For the cost of a meal at one of your fancy restaurants, you could ensure bloc judges' favors for your adopted skater in every major competition even if he/she falls on his/her (no doubt undernourished) derriére. It's people like you who really make me ashamed to see the American flag being raised at competitions.

It's sad the media has chosen to ignore this situation. I guess the needs of elite Eastern European skaters aren't glamorous enough for them. All they want to talk about is war and terrorism but rest assured, I will continue to speak out on this most urgent issue.



:cry:

[Skatewind]

Again, to those who truly believe this is an issue. Where are the details from the ISU budget that reflect your concerns? These seem like some general complaints, not necessarily direct problems of the ISU, at this point.

[AxelAnnie22]

Does anyone know the Mission/Goals and Objectives of the ISU?

Where does it get it's money? Somebody needs to knock them up the side of the head, if you ask me, (USFSA certainly has the clout), pull figure skating out, and give the entire thing a re-think. I think it is a bit like the UN - and has run amok. (I think Lybia (I think) being the head of the Human Rights Committee is right up there with Speedy heading the ISU!) :twisted:

[jagr15063]

I know people think I am wrong for what I have posted but how can

a fan of the sport and not see what is going on. Don't you remember

when Ivan Dinev had his skate blade break during a compatition and

he had to barrow a skate blade to finish the compatition and with in

last twenty years the technical demands of the sport have increased

and what also has increased is the number of compatitions that the

isu has sanctioned

[Charis]

Didn't Tonya Harding break her lace and have to borrow one, she also skated in a borrowed dress, poor thing. Perhaps Ivan, like Tonya, should consider the less technically demanding sport of celebrity wrestling.

I've got an idea - perhaps Marina & Elena could donate some proceeds from their bakeries to the Eastern European Skate Blade Fund (all donations tax deductible :) ) and maybe they could throw a few scraps of bread out the window of their Lexus as they drive by.

[IgglesII]

What I'd like to know is how is it the ISU's problem that Ivan Dinev broke a skate blade?

I am a fan of this sport - I am not, however, naive enough to think that this is some sort of "sport of the people." This isn't like basketball, where a bunch of kids can run outside with a ball and the only thing they need is a hoop to play.

This sport requires money. And - in many, many cases - it's the ones with money who end up in the medals (see: 2003 US Nationals ladies podium - cha ching). Its no different than multiple other sports - yachting and equestrian come to mind.

If the Eastern European member countries require more money, then perhaps the heads of their federations should be out scouring the countryside for corporate sponsorships, instead of looking to the international governing body for a bailout.

[sequin]

I just have to say LMAO! Charis. Truly hysterical!:lol: