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ISU’s decision against Russia threatens further development of figure skating — lawmaker

It’s not a secret to anyone that this sport keeps progressing due to achievements of Russian figure skaters, Dmitry Svishchev pointed out

MOSCOW, April 25. The International Skating Union (ISU) has practically put an end to the further development of figure skating barring Russia from all international competitions, Chairman of the State Duma (the lower house of parliament) Committee on Physical Culture and Sports Dmitry Svishchev told TASS.

"ISU’s decision simply chokes the further development of the sport of figure skating," the lawmaker said. "It’s not a secret to anyone that this sport keeps progressing due to achievements of Russian figure skaters. New elements and most sophisticated jumps had been achieved by our athletes."

"This is why it is unclear why Russia should be stripped of its home Grand Prix," he continued. "Such competitions could only provide for the development of this sport and to unite athletes. However, the ISU made a politicized decision following certain political sentiments."

Earlier in the day, the Council of the International Skating Union (ISU) has canceled Russia’s stage of the 2022/2023 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series.

The ISU also confirmed in its statement that "Until further notice no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in International Competitions, including ISU Championships and other ISU Events."

On February 28, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued recommendations to international sports federations to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from taking part in international tournaments referring to a special military operation in Ukraine.

Following the IOC recommendations in late February, the majority of global sports federations decided to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from all international sports tournaments.

On March 1, the International Skating Union announced a decision to provisionally suspend all athletes from Russia and Belarus. The suspension was enforced in regard to figure skating, speed skating and short-track speed skating competitions. Russia was scheduled to host 2022 ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix on November 25-27.

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