...as the scandal turns...

[sulin]

More reading while we wait for the end of April.

http://www.iskater.com/headlines/archive/2002march/03-01-02.htm

[quote:11cb3e9ae4]This rule is essentially the gag rule that prevents an athlete from expressing his displeasure over the judging of a competition. It protects the judging community and the ISU from every having to face the criticism of the athletes who have no public forum in which to express their evaluation of a judging panel. Their only avenue is through a written protest. That protest is heard behind closed doors, and the decision of the referee of the event is final. [/quote:11cb3e9ae4]

I thought it was interesting that he's putting in print what the skating community and fans have always known.

Do you think anything's actually going to come from these hearings?

[Jim D]

http://www.usatoday.com/olympics/winter/2002-03-19-judging-scandal.htm

It doesn't seem so based upon this article. :x … I'll offer a few thoughts later.

Jim

[sulin]

Thanks for the link, Jim.

I am curious about how they can ignore signed statements from witnesses. :?

And, if she is punished for being influenced by *some party*, will said party be dealt with as well? :roll:

[SandraD]

Sulin,

I posted a couple of links to recent articles in the 2002 Worlds section. Now the skaters are protesting the judging.

Sandra

[sulin]

Things just continue to get worse and worse!!!
If you can, take the time to read these 2 articles from the Globe and Mail. Very interesting!

Ice-Dance controversy triggers threats

Ice-Dance absorbs more hits

http://www.globeandmail.ca/sportsPE

What do you think?

[SandraD]

I was SICK before the Olympics when there was the appearance of deals being made prior to competitions. During the Olympics, I really hoped that the problems would be addressed and handled in a systematic and effective manner. My hopes were not high as I believed a "cleaning of house" would not happen until Cinquanta was removed from the picture which was highly unlikely. Now I am shocked regarding Boris Chait's words. Frankly, it is frightening!

Once again, I find myself hoping that the majority of skating federations will determine what action can be taken and do so in a timely manner. I have written letters to sponsors of skating shows and competitions here is the US asking them to please exert their influence to assist in encouraging changes to help insure fairness of judging.

Sandra

[Schmeck]

Sandra, thank you for the time and effort spent to write those letters. I've been looking into what I can do as a USFSA member, and as a board member of a local FS club. I'm also a delegate to an interclub council. Only thing is, I'm a "newbie" to all of the political skating stuff, so I want to get a good feel for the system before I start to make ripples. Don't think I'm up to waves just yet :wink:

Anyways, I've always felt that this was how the skating world worked outside of North America. It's going to take a lot of effort from the skaters, the North American federations, and a withdrawal of the lucrative US skating market from some of these pathetic back-stabbing federations to get them to function honestly, IMHO.

Schmeck, disgusted, but not surprised by these allegations

PS - Sulin, thanks for the link

[Taddy]

What if the skaters all had an honest to goodness strike?

Just NOT show up up at competitions, I'm not saying they should not train and get programs ready, but when SA rolls around...no one shows up, execpt well maybe a couple teams and skaters who's federations are in on the "deals"...... :roll: the TV sponsors would FREAK and put pressure on the ISU. They seriously couldn't ignore it then, that strike would get so much press that the ISU could not ignore it any longer without looking dumber than they already do.

I know this seems to punish the skaters but I see it as the skaters and coaches taking it into their own hands...

Seriously what would the ISU do if the skaters went on a public strike?