More Worlds dramaz
Cinquanta would like worlds to stay in Japan, sees October as best option
By Philip Hersh
International Skating Union president Ottavio Cinquanta just told me via telephone there will be a decision on the future of the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships well before May.
Cinquanta also indicated the Japanese Skating Federation has said it is available to stage the event in late September or early October, and he suggested it was unlikely the event could be held in another country in April or May.
It was clear Cinquanta would like the event to take remain in Japan and take place ``as soon as possible,'' but that may not be until October.
As you will see in this edited version of our recorded conversation, there still is not much clarity about what to do with the event that was scheduled to begin Monday in Tokyo. The ISU decided to postpone it because of the catastrophic situation in Japan as a result of the earthquake and tsunami.
Q. The president of the Japanese Skating Federation said in a press conference Wednesday there would be no decision until early May. Is that correct?
A. Not precisely. We have sent them a letter yesterday (Tuesday) asking for a prompt reply, and they replied they are available to organize the event at the end of September and early October. That moment may be too late and too early for us.
We did our utmost to maintain the championship in Japan in order to show our fairness,. But at the end of the day we do not only have respect for Japan, we also have to protect of the skaters, of the member federations.
(A championships) in April, it is not possible because certain skaters may already have commitments with exhibitions and so on. We run the risk to have a championships in April without certain skaters.
Then you have May, June, July August. You don't have to be a genius to understand May, June, July August is not the best for the World Championships.
Then you have September, October. We consider October for the World Championships because this is when we start with the Grand Prix. If they want to do this in September this is not easy.
(But) I don't know what they have said in their press conference.
Q. The Japanese federation definitely said the ISU will make a decision in early May. You can't wait until May, can you?
A. No. We will give a decision maybe in the next three or four days.
Q. As far as you are concerned, there will be no championships in April?
A. In April it is very, very, very difficult because today is March 17. How can you arrange to have a championships in April?
And even if you can allot a championships for April, are you sure everybody will come? And where? Outside Japan but where? In Asia? Europe? America? Where? It's not easy.
We have this boiling potato in our hand, and we have to resolve the problem,. We cannot wait until May.
Q. Have you already decided April is absolutely not an option any more?
A. In April, it is not possible in the sense that probably there is not enough time to arrange it.
Q. And May for championships is too late?
A. To have the championships in May, I don't know if this is in the interest of the ISU. You can have some skaters say, `Excuse me, in May I am not in good form. I am preparing already the new programs for next year.''' (Lololol and October would be different because...?)
Q. If you have it in October, some skaters may not be there. Some may have retired.
A. We are in an exceptional situation. With exceptional circumstances, you need an exceptional decision. If in October somebody will withdraw or retire, it is not under my control.
Q. Are you worried the level of performances in October will not be very good?
A. It may be in October it would be better than in May. This is a lottery.
Q. Are you worried what effect this would have on next season if you have it in October?
A. If we want to maintain the 2011 championships and award the medals, this could be the only possibility. To cancel the championships is easy from the point of view of making a decision but it is very complicated because you eliminate a title for one season.
Q. You told icenetwork.com there are some legal issues to resolve? What areas are they in.
A. I did not make any declaration about legal matters.
Q. If it were only your decision what would you do? Cancel or October?
A. I don't know. It depends on the reaction of the Japanese federation, which I am waiting for.
Q. So where we stand know is you have asked the Japanese federation to have the event?
A. As soon as possible, giving them the time to repair what they have to in the country.
Q. Is as soon as possible September or October?
A. It could be early October. But not in August or July.
Q. What about May in Japan?
A. It depends on them. But I don't believe they will be ready for May. If they are ready, are you sure all the skaters will go in May to Japan?
Sauce
At least they're not dragging out the announcement until May. This is what we consider "good news" now.
By Philip Hersh
International Skating Union president Ottavio Cinquanta just told me via telephone there will be a decision on the future of the 2011 World Figure Skating Championships well before May.
Cinquanta also indicated the Japanese Skating Federation has said it is available to stage the event in late September or early October, and he suggested it was unlikely the event could be held in another country in April or May.
It was clear Cinquanta would like the event to take remain in Japan and take place ``as soon as possible,'' but that may not be until October.
As you will see in this edited version of our recorded conversation, there still is not much clarity about what to do with the event that was scheduled to begin Monday in Tokyo. The ISU decided to postpone it because of the catastrophic situation in Japan as a result of the earthquake and tsunami.
Q. The president of the Japanese Skating Federation said in a press conference Wednesday there would be no decision until early May. Is that correct?
A. Not precisely. We have sent them a letter yesterday (Tuesday) asking for a prompt reply, and they replied they are available to organize the event at the end of September and early October. That moment may be too late and too early for us.
We did our utmost to maintain the championship in Japan in order to show our fairness,. But at the end of the day we do not only have respect for Japan, we also have to protect of the skaters, of the member federations.
(A championships) in April, it is not possible because certain skaters may already have commitments with exhibitions and so on. We run the risk to have a championships in April without certain skaters.
Then you have May, June, July August. You don't have to be a genius to understand May, June, July August is not the best for the World Championships.
Then you have September, October. We consider October for the World Championships because this is when we start with the Grand Prix. If they want to do this in September this is not easy.
(But) I don't know what they have said in their press conference.
Q. The Japanese federation definitely said the ISU will make a decision in early May. You can't wait until May, can you?
A. No. We will give a decision maybe in the next three or four days.
Q. As far as you are concerned, there will be no championships in April?
A. In April it is very, very, very difficult because today is March 17. How can you arrange to have a championships in April?
And even if you can allot a championships for April, are you sure everybody will come? And where? Outside Japan but where? In Asia? Europe? America? Where? It's not easy.
We have this boiling potato in our hand, and we have to resolve the problem,. We cannot wait until May.
Q. Have you already decided April is absolutely not an option any more?
A. In April, it is not possible in the sense that probably there is not enough time to arrange it.
Q. And May for championships is too late?
A. To have the championships in May, I don't know if this is in the interest of the ISU. You can have some skaters say, `Excuse me, in May I am not in good form. I am preparing already the new programs for next year.''' (Lololol and October would be different because...?)
Q. If you have it in October, some skaters may not be there. Some may have retired.
A. We are in an exceptional situation. With exceptional circumstances, you need an exceptional decision. If in October somebody will withdraw or retire, it is not under my control.
Q. Are you worried the level of performances in October will not be very good?
A. It may be in October it would be better than in May. This is a lottery.
Q. Are you worried what effect this would have on next season if you have it in October?
A. If we want to maintain the 2011 championships and award the medals, this could be the only possibility. To cancel the championships is easy from the point of view of making a decision but it is very complicated because you eliminate a title for one season.
Q. You told icenetwork.com there are some legal issues to resolve? What areas are they in.
A. I did not make any declaration about legal matters.
Q. If it were only your decision what would you do? Cancel or October?
A. I don't know. It depends on the reaction of the Japanese federation, which I am waiting for.
Q. So where we stand know is you have asked the Japanese federation to have the event?
A. As soon as possible, giving them the time to repair what they have to in the country.
Q. Is as soon as possible September or October?
A. It could be early October. But not in August or July.
Q. What about May in Japan?
A. It depends on them. But I don't believe they will be ready for May. If they are ready, are you sure all the skaters will go in May to Japan?
Sauce
At least they're not dragging out the announcement until May. This is what we consider "good news" now.