Figure skating, the Olympics and whatever else

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Comments by: YACCS

 
I've been out of town for the last week, so I haven't been able to comment on the continuing controversy involving figure skating and the Russian mafia. The ISU continues to shoot itself in the foot with Ottavio Cinquanta reportedly saying the new allegations are simply "gossip".

A couple of articles and clips stood out from the week:

The Associated Press had an article including more transcripts from the wiretapped conversations between Marina Anissina and Alimzhan Tokhtakhounov where he predicted a ban on skating and reportedly told her she could well be "the last champion":

"The latest included alleged conversations March 23 between the suspect and French ice-dancing champion Marina Anissina, who a month before had won Olympic gold and was at the time of the recorded conversation watching the World Championships...

Anissina: "There are big scandals there, too. ... My coach said that there were scandals, that if they were ever verified, everyone would be shocked."

Tokhtakhounov: "... It has started a mess! I think you are the last champion of the Olympic Games. I think that ice-dancing will be banned!"

Anissina: "Probably figure skating, not the ice-dancing."

AP also published an article about the Russian mafia and its connection to skating. NHL players have also reportedly felt pressure mostly in the form of extorting money. I seem to vaguely remember that one of the Russian national hockey coaches turned up rather messily dead.

The Washington Post continues to cover the scandal as well, printing a long profile on Marina Anissina.


posted by Julia at 9:56 AM