Five days before the start of the World Cup, it is not known whether the tournament will take place in Montreal
Against the backdrop of universal cancellation of competitions around the world, the International Skating Union remains one of the last to fight for its tournament to the end. Almost all tickets were sold for the Oscar ice ceremony; the Center Bell's 20,000th capacity allows the organizers to make good money.
The last hours resemble reports from the front. The political leadership of Quebec, the province where the championship will be held, recommended avoiding crowds - and immediately after this, the organizers announced that in parallel with the championship there will be a festival of fans with autograph sessions and food stalls.
The Federation of Poland recommended that its skaters refrain from going to the World Cup - but Ekaterina Kurakova and her partners de facto ignored the advice and still go. In our federation, the moods are just as calm: you need to go at least because all quotas are lost if you do not participate, the president of the FFKKR Alexander Gorshkov reasonably remarked. Then next year Russia will have one representative in each form.
Five days before the start of the World Cup, it is not known whether the tournament will take place in Montreal
Against the backdrop of universal cancellation of competitions around the world, the International Skating Union remains one of the last to fight for its tournament to the end. Almost all tickets were sold for the Oscar ice ceremony; the Center Bell's 20,000th capacity allows the organizers to make good money.
The last hours resemble reports from the front. The political leadership of Quebec, the province where the championship will be held, recommended avoiding crowds - and immediately after this, the organizers announced that in parallel with the championship there will be a festival of fans with autograph sessions and food stalls.
The Federation of Poland recommended that its skaters refrain from going to the World Cup - but Ekaterina Kurakova and her partners de facto ignored the advice and still go. In our federation, the moods are just as calm: you need to go at least because all quotas are lost if you do not participate, the president of the FFKKR Alexander Gorshkov reasonably remarked . Then next year Russia will have one representative in each form.
In Canada, one lethal case of coronavirus infection has been recorded so far, on March 10, 77 people were ill. As of 18:00 Moscow time on March 11, there were 93 cases, four in Quebec, the only death occurred in the very west of the country in British Columbia. In Canada, a high degree of provincial autonomy, the decision to hold, cancel or postpone the competition will be made by the region.
In Moscow, the coronavirus has already influenced the show with the participation of Russian figure skating stars “Forward!”, But the federation has found an elegant way out and split the show into two shows, which will fit in the limit of 5,000 spectators each. Moreover, as it became known to “SE”, at several Moscow ice rinks, due to the threat of the virus, access for adults, parents of athletes and outsiders is closed or restricted. In particular, journalists. Some Russian media outlets hastened to disseminate information that the World Cup "is likely to be" canceled with reference to the Minister of Sports of Quebec, François Lego. However, this is an incorrect interpretation - the minister said "there is a possibility."
ISU also responded to this statement:
- At the time of the publication of this statement, the ISU did not receive any information from the Quebec Ministry of Health regarding the 2020 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Montreal from March 16 to 22. Pending a decision, ISU continues to prepare and implement the precautionary measures. ISU will report the decision as soon as it becomes known.