Talking Points

• Russia is violating the concept of fair play through its unprovoked attack on Ukraine thus sabotaging another member nation's ability to compete in the sport, and endangering the lives of this nation’s athletes.
  
  
• The Russian military attacks civilians on a daily basis so currently the population of Ukraine has no chance to practice, let alone excel, in any sport.
  
  
• Training facilities there have been damaged or destroyed, or become inaccessible. The ability to maintain rinks is hampered by frequent power cuts due to regular attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
  
  
• We've seen how Russian fans have behaved at tennis matches recently. Probably Russian figure skating and speed skating fans will not be any less patriotic. This will likely lead to, at best, an unpleasant atmosphere at ISU events. Instead of a joyful event we will have conflict and upset.
  
  
• Can you guarantee the security and safety of Ukrainian, and Ukrainian-born skaters who represent other countries, or of the many other skaters who have expressed vocal, sustained support for the Ukrainian cause? Will these skaters be safe at ISU events? Russian fans have been bullying skaters online who have spoken up. A Ukrainian-born ice dancer, who skates for Hungary, was attacked on the streets of Moscow simply for being Ukrainian. Will there be enough security to ensure such a thing won’t happen at skating events?
  
  
• Forcing Ukrainian athletes to compete and be good sports with the Russians athletes is disrespectful.
  
  
• All Russian athletes are funded by the government so it’s impossible for them to be truly neutral.
  
  
• Some questions:
• Who determines whether an athlete from Russia or Belarus meets the IOC definition of an Individual Neutral Athlete? How will we know they are neutral or if they actually privately support the war?
  
  
• Is there a right of appeal against any determination and, if so, who has the right to appeal?
  
  
• Who submits the names of Individual Neutral Athletes to the ISU for approval? Is it for the individual to do so or the relevant national federation?
  
  
• How will quotas and rankings be determined and who will make those determinations?