Time to kick muddah-f*cking Russia out once & for all?

[Durban Sandshark]

Tampere, Finland stays on as co-host city for next year's IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship with its new Nokia Arena in replacing St. Petersburg but will this time joined by Riga, Latvia, that will have fans in its Riga Arena after being largely empty last year, for 2023:

https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2022/05/27/tampere-and-riga-replace-st-petersburg-as-2023-iihf-world-championship-hosts/

[Karenina]

Heads up that the ISU Congress begins tomorrow (June 6th) in Phuket, Thailand.  One of the items on the agenda will be an Urgent Matter amendment to their General Regulations allowing for the ISU Council to take "protective measures" against ISU Members and participation in their events in the case of an Extraordinary Event (terrorism, riot, civil unrest, war (regardless of whether declared or not), strike, nuclear or chemical contamination, epidemic, etc.  

I'm not sure, precisely, when this will be voted on per the agenda published by the ISU - There were some published reports in Russian media that the delegates from their federations (they have separate feds for Figure/Synchro and Speed) wouldn't know until the first day of the Congress and that a vote would be taken on whether or not they would be allowed to participate.  It could be that this discussion occurs during the Verification of Credentials, or it could be during the Approval of ISU Council Communications, since they were the ones who made the decision to temporarily suspend Russia & Belarus' participation in via an ISU Communication.  

Another major item on the agenda is an age minimum increase for senior (Olympic) level competitions.  This was in the works prior to the Valieva doping scandal, but if there was any doubt that it will pass, that went down the drain with grandpa's backwash.  There are a couple of proposals - one is a gradual increase, the other is an immediate one.  Those probably won't be debated on until the 7th since there are quite a few items ahead of them on the agenda.  My expectation is that the gradual increase to 17 for ALL of skating (figure, synchro, speed and short-track) will be adopted - but it might be amended.  The immediate increase proposal also only raises the minimum age for pairs & ice dancing to 16, while it raises it to 17 for the rest of the sport (singles, synchro, speed & short-track).  I don't think there will be any difference in the minimum age based upon discipline - and especially not for ice dancing since most senior ice dance teams don't really come into their own competitively until their mid-late 20s.  

If you're interested, bored or both, you can also watch the ISU Congress proceedings via their YT channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/SkatingISU - it could be fascinating to watch what unfolds without the presence of the Russian delegates politicking their way to dominance.  You can find more information about the ISU Congress and all of the agenda items here - https://www.isu.org/inside-isu/rules-regulations/isu-congresses

[baron-pierreIV]

They should raise the minimum age to 21!!  How can you buy AK rifles and figure skate at the same time?  Nope, 17 is too young!!  21!! 

[Karenina]

The ISU just issued a notice that their legal advisers have concluded that Russia & Belarus will be allowed to participate in the Congress.  Because Russia has filed a CAS appeal of the ISU Council's decision to ban skaters upon the IOC's recommendation, there is a possibility that disallowing the Russian & Belarusian federations participation in the Congress it could nullify any of the decisions taken this week as well as the election of new officers, etc.  The Urgent Matter to add the "Extraordinary Event" clause will still be voted upon and if it passes then it will come into effect at the conclusion of this week's Congress.  

No one is happy about this, but it makes sense.  Ought to make for some interesting debates, especially over the age minimum & maximum proposals - not just for athletes, but also for ISU Officials - one would raise the age max for ISU Officials, which would allow Russia's Alexander Lakernik to stand for re-election as Figure Skating VP.  Russia also has members standing for election to the ISU Council (Speed Skating Member), Technical Committees for Synchro, Single/Pairs Skating, Short Track (Chair), & Speed Skating (Chair).

 

[baron-pierreIV]

Don't ALLOW Killer-Russians and fellow murderer-Belarussians in!!   Their spots should be GIVEN to Ukraine and Poland instead! 

[Karenina]

Well, the Extraordinary Event clause failed (by 6 votes) yesterday at the ISU Congress, however the ISU Council's decision to ban RUS/BLR skaters, judges, etc does remain in effect as the Congress approved all of the ISU Council's Communications issued since the last Congress in 2018.

In other news, the age minimum increase was passed, overwhelmingly.  I'm convinced that the Valieva doping scandal led to the passage of the proposal, though it was in the works for quite some time prior to the Olympics.  On tap for 6/8 and 6/9 are separate sessions for the Figure Skating (includes Synchro) and Speed Skating (includes Short-Track) branches, with lots of technical rule proposals, especially on the FS side.  Elections for the Technical Committees in each branch will be 6/9; then on Friday, the entire Congress comes back together to vote on a few tabled motions as well as hold elections.  Notably, Alexander Lakernik of Russia will not be able to stand for re-election as FS VP since the Congress rejected the motion to allow ISU Officials to serve past the age of 80.  

[Durban Sandshark]

Yeah, Puma severs its ties with the Russian Basketball Federation as an official outfitter and supplier "with immediate effect", closes all of its 170 Russian stores like Nike and H&M, and already suspends any Russian online and delivery orders:

https://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/apparel-fashion/sportswear/puma-temporarily-closes-its-stores-in-russia/90028876

https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/russia-ukraine-crisis/puma-joins-growing-list-of-mnc-and-retailers-suspending-operation-in-russia-over-ukraine-war-articleshow.html

https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/puma-suspends-operation-all-its-stores-russia-2022-03-05/

https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/hm-nike-and-puma-alter-operations-in-russia-in-response-to-invasion-of-ukraine-1235114811/

But Puma is taking orders for next year from wholesalers including some Russian ones but not still directly importing to Russia:

https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/puma-taking-orders-wholesalers-including-those-with-russian-presence-2022-05-31/

In case you're wondering about the consequences in the gaming world, EA Sports, for one, removes all Russian and Belarussian national and club teams, players, stadiums, and uniforms for the upcoming edition of FIFA 23 in accordance with UEFA and FIFA in standing solidarity with the Ukraine--and already from FIFA 22 and NHL 22. So no playing Russia in the FIFA 2022 Qatar game. Nor will its content be available in Russia and Belarus:

https://www.esports.com/en/ea-sports-removes-russian-national-team-and-clubs-from-fifa-22-331113

https://earlygame.com/fifa/ea-sports-deletes-russian-players-national-team-from-fifa-22

https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/ea-sports-has-removed-all-russian-clubs-and-players-from-fifa-22-3178222

 

[Karenina]

The ISU Congress finished up yesterday with elections for the Council and Technical Committees.  Shamefully, the full Congress elected Alexander Kibalko of Russia to the ISU Council on the Speed Skating side.  He was elected on the 2nd vote, in a run-off against Serbia's Slobodan Delic, so I suppose it was a matter of picking either the puppet or the puppet master.  The Speed Skating Branch then elected to the Speed Skating Technical Committee Belarusian Alexei Khatylev, again on 2nd ballot run-off.  Thankfully, the Figure Skating Branch chose to NOT elect the Russians running for both the Synchro and Single/Pairs Technical Committees.  Alexander Kogan of the Russian Figure Skating Federation called this week's Congress "Unfortunately...  very politicized."  Yeah, well...  go talk to Putin about that.  

In other news, the new ISU President, Jae Youl Kim of Korea, had this to say about the current ISU ban:

And given that the new ISU Council is made up of members from KOR, CAN (2 - Figure Skating VP and Athletes Commission representative), USA, JPN, FIN, HUN, ESP, NOR, THA, ITA, BUL, NED, and RUS, I don't see the Council revisiting that decision in the foreseeable future.

[Durban Sandshark]

Now there's this: the FIG now moves its upcoming October congressional meetings, its 84th overall, from Sandefjord, Norway to accomodate Russian and Belarussian officials and federations, which hasn't done like with their gymnasts:

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer/gymnastics/gymnastics-congress-moved-out-of-norway-russia-join-1.6534307

https://www.rt.com/sport/559749-gymnastics-federation-congress-moved-russia-norway/

 

[karehhai7]

I think it's time for the IOC to call a spade a spade.  With Russia waiting until the WOGs were over, big bully Russia has attacked the weaker Ukraine for no credible reason. 

[karehhai7]

Well, the Extraordinary Event clause failed (by 6 votes) yesterday at the ISU Congress, however the ISU Council's decision to ban RUS/BLR skaters, judges, etc does remain in effect as the Congress approved all of the ISU Council's Communications issued since the last Congress in 2018.
get-mobdro.com
 

[MikeHook]

On 6/5/2022 at 9:27 AM, Karenina said:

Heads up that the ISU Congress begins tomorrow (June 6th) in Phuket, Thailand.  One of the items on the agenda will be an Urgent Matter amendment to their General Regulations allowing for the ISU Council to take "protective measures" against ISU Members and participation in their events in the case of an Extraordinary Event (terrorism, riot, civil unrest, war (regardless of whether declared or not), strike, nuclear or chemical contamination, epidemic, etc.  

I'm not sure, precisely, when this will be voted on per the agenda published by the ISU - There were some published reports in Russian media that the delegates from their federations (they have separate feds for Figure/Synchro and Speed) wouldn't know until the first day of the Congress and that a vote would be taken on whether or not they would be allowed to participate.  It could be that this discussion occurs during the Verification of Credentials, or it could be during the Approval of ISU Council Communications, since they were the ones who made the decision to temporarily suspend Russia & Belarus' participation in via an ISU Communication.  

Another major item on the agenda is an age minimum increase for senior (Olympic) level competitions.  This was in the works prior to the Valieva doping scandal, but if there was any doubt that it will pass, that went down the drain with grandpa's backwash buy custom essays here.  There are a couple of proposals - one is a gradual increase, the other is an immediate one.  Those probably won't be debated on until the 7th since there are quite a few items ahead of them on the agenda.  My expectation is that the gradual increase to 17 for ALL of skating (figure, synchro, speed and short-track) will be adopted - but it might be amended.  The immediate increase proposal also only raises the minimum age for pairs & ice dancing to 16, while it raises it to 17 for the rest of the sport (singles, synchro, speed & short-track).  I don't think there will be any difference in the minimum age based upon discipline - and especially not for ice dancing since most senior ice dance teams don't really come into their own competitively until their mid-late 20s.  

If you're interested, bored or both, you can also watch the ISU Congress proceedings via their YT channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/SkatingISU - it could be fascinating to watch what unfolds without the presence of the Russian delegates politicking their way to dominance.  You can find more information about the ISU Congress and all of the agenda items here - https://www.isu.org/inside-isu/rules-regulations/isu-congresses

Totally agree with you sir!

[Durban Sandshark]

With two NHL teams, the Nashville Predators and the San Jose Sharks, set to kick off the regular season in October inside Prague's O2 Arena for the NHL Global Series on October 7-8, the Czech Foreign Ministry issues a letter to the NHL indicating that Russian players on both teams will not be permitted visas for entry into the Czech Republic (or elsewhere in the Euro Schengen zone) any area inside the to play because of the Ukrainian invasion. Should be noted both don't have a lot of Russians on their rosters, which makes it easier to deal with here. Nashville has forward Yakov Trenin and San Jose has Alexander Barabanov, along with Evgeny Svechnikov, who is currently in training camp on a professional preseason tryout agreement:

https://www.tsn.ca/czech-government-nhl-russian-players-unwanted-in-prague-1.1852192

The Czech Republic is one of the first EU nations to stop issuing visas to Russian nationals since the Russian invasion on Ukraine. And the NHL has never considered banning Russians to play on NHL teams, many of whom are some of the best skilled  players in the league. Both should be noted.

[AustralianFan]

Horrible, horrible man, both of them.

 

[AustralianFan]

Football Union of Russia wants Ukraine banned ?

Yeah right, as if that’s going to happen.

 

[Durban Sandshark]

Really, FUR Russia?

On 9/22/2022 at 8:57 PM, AustralianFan said:

Football Union of Russia wants Ukraine banned ?

Yeah right, as if that’s going to happen.

 

IIHF to Russia and Belarus: Hell no, you two are not coming back next year to resume competing in international ice hockey this upcoming season! Should you stop the war soon, you will be reintegrated to where you were prior to the invasion without any need for promotion back up to the top level:

https://www.iihf.com/en/news/39491/championship_updates

 

[StefanMUC]

Fencing 1976 today at the ANOC assembly: 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FfajjmcXgAEfghZ?format=jpg&name=large

Seriously…what an unbelievable scaremongering. The vast majority of NOC need not fear any bans because their countries will not come close to start an aggressive war against another countries.

Instead, they should send the message to those reXimes thinking about it that they will not be able to use sports in their propaganda anymore. 
 

Putin, MBS, Xi clearly still hold international sports hostage. And the string of (so far) democratic Olympic hosts 24-32 just serves as a cover to hide the real business underneath.

[StefanMUC]

Now that there are clear moves to let Russia/Belarus in again, even in Paris, someone is not happy and told this to Fencing 1976:

https://twitter.com/zelenskyyua/status/1603067149060374529?s=46&t=ESb6dCYHaSCsi4KhSTZ3CQ

 

I wonder if Baltics/Nordics/Poland et al will create a stir if the IOC and IFs really go for the “unifying power of sports” narrative. They have no Olympic ambitions these days and could expose that farce easily.

[Sir Rols]

One of the most respected Olympic writers and historians pulls no punches:

David Miller: Olympic moral erosion

[Sir Rols]

What else would Bach expect?

Zelensky tells Bach how upset he is at IOC plan to let Russia and Belarus compete at Paris 2024

[Nacre]

I think the logical solution is create some general rules that apply to everyone rather than punishing Russia in this unique instance (which would look like the IOC taking sides in the conflict).

[Chris_Mex]

1 hour ago, Sir Rols said:

What else would Bach expect?

Zelensky tells Bach how upset he is at IOC plan to let Russia and Belarus compete at Paris 2024

Zelensky wanting the world to feel pity about poor and defenseless little old ukraine, that circus had lasted for 10 months already. Even if ukraine manages to win against russia, they will be having an olympic sized debt with the US. Anyway now they want to ban neutral athletes from participating in a sports competition. Athletes will not be representing russia, they will be neutral athletes. It'd be unfair to say no to foreign athletes, just because of their passports. That whole speech before beijing 2022, about punishing the country, not the athletes, only applies to china and the US? or russia is different?

[StefanMUC]

A Russian athlete sponsored by a state-owned company or even employed by the army is not neutral no matter the colours they are (not) wearing.

You would have fallen for Hitler’s smokescreens in the 1930s too, I guess.

[StefanMUC]

2 hours ago, Nacre said:

I think the logical solution is create some general rules that apply to everyone rather than punishing Russia in this unique instance (which would look like the IOC taking sides in the conflict).

The general rules are called international law. Russia has unilaterally broken this, so taking sides here is actually a must. (Yes, US and allies are no saints either in this respect, but Zelensky and Ukraine are not Milošević/Serbia nor Saddam/Iraq surely. Ukraine did not threaten any neighbour, but has been invaded for almost 9 years already, mostly because Putin could not accept them turning towards EU).

Of course the IOC and others are more concerned about fair treatment of athletes than about making deals with despots, right?

[Chris_Mex]

5 minutes ago, StefanMUC said:

The general rules are called international law. Russia has unilaterally broken this, so taking sides here is actually a must. (Yes, US and allies are no saints either in this respect, but Zelensky and Ukraine are not Milošević/Serbia nor Saddam/Iraq surely. Ukraine did not threaten any neighbour, but has been invaded for almost 9 years already, mostly because Putin could not accept them turning towards EU).

Of course the IOC and others are more concerned about fair treatment of athletes than about making deals with despots, right?

Saying that the conflict was because ukraine wanter to enter the EU, is denying that ukraine (with am little help form NATO) wanted to put nuclear weapons next to russian borders. And of course the conflict has nothing to do with damaging russia's image as the biggest gas exporter for the EU and not being the US. Also has nothing to do with the US wanting to sell weapons to the rest of NATO and selling the story that Russia is the next Nazi Germany. There are interest conflict here, of course an international federation MUST not take side