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ISU to consider new plans for skating worlds
The International Skating Union will consider moving the world figure skating championships if Japanese organizers are unable to commit to hosting the event at a later date by Monday.
By Associated Press
ROME (AP) - The International Skating Union will consider moving the world figure skating championships if Japanese organizers are unable to commit to hosting the event at a later date by Monday.
The championships were scheduled to begin next week in Tokyo but were postponed due to the earthquake and tsunami that have left the country in crisis.
ISU president Ottavio Cinquanta sent a letter to Japanese organizers Tuesday asking if they would be capable of hosting the championships in several months, such as October.
"If they don't respond by early Monday morning we're going to move forward," Cinquanta told The Associated Press on Friday.
Last week's twin natural disasters in Japan left at least 10,000 people dead and have resulted in a nuclear crisis.
"I'm still waiting for a response. We can't turn our backs on Japan in this moment," Cinquanta said from his Milan office.
Alternatives that Cinquanta mentioned include holding the worlds at the end of April or the beginning of May, with the United States, Canada, Finland, Germany and Russia as possible hosts.
The worlds were held in Turin last year, but Cinquanta ruled out returning to Italy.
"I'm Italian and that wouldn't be right," he said.
U.S. Figure Skating said it sent a letter to the ISU on Wednesday offering to host the championships in either the arena in Lake Placid, New York, or the Broadmoor Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Both the Lake Placid and Colorado arenas are on the small side, but most larger arenas in the United States are unavailable due to NHL and NBA games.
The American federation said it has not received a response from the ISU.
"The Americans are very nice and helpful," Cinquanta said. "I have a lot of respect for the Americans."
Also, Skate Canada has told the ISU it would help out in whatever way it can, without offering any specific sites.
Source
The International Skating Union will consider moving the world figure skating championships if Japanese organizers are unable to commit to hosting the event at a later date by Monday.
By Associated Press
ROME (AP) - The International Skating Union will consider moving the world figure skating championships if Japanese organizers are unable to commit to hosting the event at a later date by Monday.
The championships were scheduled to begin next week in Tokyo but were postponed due to the earthquake and tsunami that have left the country in crisis.
ISU president Ottavio Cinquanta sent a letter to Japanese organizers Tuesday asking if they would be capable of hosting the championships in several months, such as October.
"If they don't respond by early Monday morning we're going to move forward," Cinquanta told The Associated Press on Friday.
Last week's twin natural disasters in Japan left at least 10,000 people dead and have resulted in a nuclear crisis.
"I'm still waiting for a response. We can't turn our backs on Japan in this moment," Cinquanta said from his Milan office.
Alternatives that Cinquanta mentioned include holding the worlds at the end of April or the beginning of May, with the United States, Canada, Finland, Germany and Russia as possible hosts.
The worlds were held in Turin last year, but Cinquanta ruled out returning to Italy.
"I'm Italian and that wouldn't be right," he said.
U.S. Figure Skating said it sent a letter to the ISU on Wednesday offering to host the championships in either the arena in Lake Placid, New York, or the Broadmoor Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Both the Lake Placid and Colorado arenas are on the small side, but most larger arenas in the United States are unavailable due to NHL and NBA games.
The American federation said it has not received a response from the ISU.
"The Americans are very nice and helpful," Cinquanta said. "I have a lot of respect for the Americans."
Also, Skate Canada has told the ISU it would help out in whatever way it can, without offering any specific sites.
Source