The Executive Committee of the Russian Skating Union (SKR) approved on October 1 the transfer of short track skaters Denis Airapetyan and Daniil Eybog to the Uzbekistan national team, taking into account that the titled athletes will undergo a two-year quarantine.
In addition, the Investigative Commission approved a two-year quarantine for the skater’s transition Danila Semerikova to the Uzbekistan national team, which notified the organization of its desire to change sports citizenship in May 2024,
We remind you that Hayrapetyan – 2018 European champion in relay race, for god’s sake – 2020 European Champion in relays. Semerikov is a four-time world championship bronze medalist.
Meanwhile, on September 28, the International Skating Union (ISU) extended the suspension of Russian athletes’ participation in competitions, the president of the Russian Skating Union said. Nikolay Gulyaev:
“The meeting is over, there are no changes, the suspension was extended. We will miss this season. I will not make predictions for the future; This is a thankless task.”
On March 1, 2022, the ISU decided to suspend Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions under the auspices of the organization due to the situation in Ukraine. The ban applies to figure skating, speed skating and short track speed skating tournaments.
Our biathletes, skiers and hockey players will also not be able to compete in the 2024/25 international season.
Russian biathletes skipping the upcoming international season reduce their possible representation at the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo (two “neutral individuals” each in the men’s and women’s competitions), the IBU said.
For its part, the press service of the International Skating Union (ISU) published a press release detailing the results of the organization’s council meeting held on September 27 and 28, 2024 in Lausanne (Switzerland). ) and reported:
“In addition to supporting Ukrainian federations and their members, the Council decided to allocate an additional budget of $85 million to support Ukrainian athletes who live and train outside the country and will represent Ukraine in ISU competitions in the 2024 season/ 25. “
And since we’re talking about money, here are the revelations of the Olympic champion in the Russian gymnasts’ team tournament Angelina Melnikova:
“It’s very difficult now. Many athletes left the sport. I mean, they just scored, let’s put it that way. Because after having participated in the Olympic Games and won Olympic medals, fought with the best athletes in the world, trying to compete in Russian competitions and maintain the same world level is very difficult.
But, nevertheless, I can say that the government supports us. For example, from a financial point of view, our fees at Russian competitions increased. This is already something. The federations are doing something to retain athletes. And thanks to them for that…
But if you are not a high-level athlete, the salaries are very tight. 40-50 thousand rubles, depending on the region. Somewhere higher. I’m talking about the city.
The national team also has certain interests at stake. There is a small, medium and high rate. It depends on the level of the athlete. The highest rate is about 150 thousand rubles. We also have rates for competitions. For example, for first place in the Russian championship you earn 250 thousand rubles.
If you are a high-level athlete, then in principle you are good. Really good. But how many high-level athletes are there? Five, ten for the whole country and that’s it. But it’s a little difficult for everyone else.”
And finally, a comment from the Olympic champion, deputy of the State Duma. Svetlana Zhurova:
“We should ignore the ISU and create a league of figure skating clubs in Russia. The whole world will watch, because our skaters are the best in the world. This will require a sponsor, who may need to be asked to pay attention to said league. But this must be done right now and not postponed.”
