Friday, February 15, 2002
Ottavio, it's time to prove your worth
By GEORGE GROSS -- Toronto Sun
Mr.Ottavio Cinquanta
President
International Skating Union
IOC Member
Salt Lake City, Utah
Dear Ottavio,
You may remember the different times we talked about figure skating in the past, whether it was during the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, the IOC Session in Moscow last July, or elsewhere.
I remember you telling me the story about a disagreement you had had about figure skating with Canada's Dick Pound, an influential IOC member and 1960 Olympic finalist in the 100-metre freestyle swim. You told Pound: "Dick you're an expert in the water, but not on frozen water. That's my domain."
Ottavio, you're a very smart and likable fellow. And this is the time to prove it to the sporting world. Needless to say it will have to do with your stance on the recent scandal in Salt Lake City.
I'm not referring to the bribery scandal of IOC members prior to the Games, but about the judging corruption in the pairs skating at Salt Lake City.
No need to repeat how and by whom Canada's Jamie Sale and David Pelletier got screwed out of well-deserved gold medals.
However, Ottavio, here's where you can show the world that you have the intestinal fortitude that is needed to clean up the figure skating judging mess and save the reputation of the International Skating Union.
First of all, you will have to crack down on the judges responsible for the circus. I don't mean just the French judge who allegedly admitted she was pressured to help the Russian skaters win the gold. I mean also the four Eastern bloc clowns who had a not-so-fine hand in the skulduggery.
They should be suspended and I don't mean one-year or six-month suspensions after which they can return to duty. I mean they should be kicked out for good. These no-goodniks are not doing you, or the sport any favours. They must go ÷unlike Ukrainian judge Yuri Balkov, who was caught on camera cheating and signalling his Russian counterpart a few years ago.
Balkov is back in Salt Lake judging the dance event. In fact, he was in Vancouver last year judging the world championships. Is that cleaning house? On the other hand, you suspended Canadian judge Jean Senft for six months ÷Êfor blowing the whistle on Balkov. Does that make sense? Or is it because she is Canadian?
Secondly, I would propose that you award Sale and Pelletier gold medals, without taking them away from the Russians, who have done nothing wrong. The IOC had to do it for Canadian synchro swimmer Sylvie Frechette after the 1992 Barcelona Olympics when a Brazilian judge pushed the wrong button. There were five wrong button-pushers in Salt Lake.
Thirdly, and this is the key issue, drop all existing international judges and form a panel of 25 professional officials to oversee all future major events. Sure this will cost money, Ottavio. But check with your treasurer and you will find out something that you already know ÷that figure skating is one hell of a wealthy sport.
If you will do these things, you could tell Pound and embryonic IOC president Jacques Rogge that figure skating is your domain. If you don't clean house, you may be surprised how quickly Pound may act. Moreover, many of your corporate sponsors will say goodbye to you and figure skating.
2002 Games Figure Skating Coverage
