Russia is nominating its representatives for the elections to the International Skating Union. An idea doomed to obvious failure? Is an attempt not torture? Or is it not so obvious? Elections are held at the ISU congress in June. And Russia is not denied admission. But the very issue of our participation in voting and elections will be resolved when progress is already reducing its work.

The International Skating Union recently voiced a wish drawn up as part of the ISU Council. And his intention is this: the action stops – Russia and Belarus show beyond expectation under the auspices of the ISU. The Russian stage of the Grand Prix of the next season is canceled (its place on the calendar is already torn in Finland). And at the summer congress of the ISU, the issue of adopting a constitution – in order to have the possibility of excluding groups in case of force majeure. What members – it is clear.

Elections are held at the ISU congress in June. The issue of Russia’s participation in voting and elections will be resolved when progress has already slowed down. The reason is again traditional for the sport of the day. Especially, apparently, “interested” in the development of sports that participate in the ISU (and these are skates, short track and figure skating), the countries demanded that Russia and Belarus be banned from participating in the congress altogether. And, of course, to apply for elected office. Twenty countries in favor of a suspension is a lot, but by no means enough for a decision. Therefore, at the congress, the initial vote of the ISU Council will take place: to be an active member of Russia or not.

And this, perhaps, can still be considered familiar. When, succumbing to blackmail, our Paralympic athletes were literally kicked out of Beijing, countless opponent countries, they only had to raise a protest wave. In a statement from the board, the ISU states that, taking into account the basic rights of all members and the obligations of the organization of special interest, again, all members of the ISU, the board decided: “At present, there will be no such decision, it will be made by voting at the ISU congress “.

And while Alexander Lakernik is officially nominated as a candidate for the post of vice president in connection with the unification of skaters. The specialist was elected vice president suspected of figure skating back in 2016. Two years later, he was re-elected. In these extraordinarily difficult moments, Lakernik’s election is also aggravated by the supposed condition that he will be considered if there is a random offer of an age for prosecution. According to the existing rules, hold positions of specialists up to 75 years. If this point and the election age rises to 80 years old, Alexander Lakernik (77 years old) candidacy will be on the voting list. (Naturally, assuming that there will be a vote for us at all.)

Judge Yulia Andreeva was nominated to work in the committee for singles and pair skating (Fyodor Klimov worked there as an Olympic medalist), Uliana Chirkova – in the committee for synchronized skating.

Alexander Kibalko, head of the Technical Committee for Speed ​​Skating of the association of skaters, claims to be a member of the ISU Council and is nominated for re-election to the technical committee (for the post of deputy and for a place in the composition). Andrey Nefedov (to the post of deputy and to the council) and Mikhail Sokolov were nominated to the short track technical committee of the Russian Skating Union.

Here and now, it does not seem absolutely obvious that we should put forward our candidacies in the ISU elections at all. No, of course, it is for everyone: the more you know, the easier it is to defend your interests. Only now the mass federation – who is shy and who is aggressive – works exclusively on the principle of “we delete Russia from everywhere.”

But to break with the ISU disappearance? Hang a series of skates on a nail until better times? The rights are not even delayed and those who are not included in that “twenty” activists turn to their side? No matter how much we want to pretend (and there are, of course, such emotional outbursts due to resentment), that we can do without international interaction and play well on home players, this will be cunning. Because both figure skaters and skaters on football players are absolutely in their own juice, which is disastrous for athletes. Even to those of its leaders who are ahead of the whole planet. Even brilliant figure skaters.

For example, foreign skaters must be entered on the official ISU calendar. This is hardly possible today. Therefore, he will not come: disqualification because of love for Russia is hardly included in the American sports plans of athletes.

The situation is the most difficult. And no one knows the end of it. There is a bad feeling that everything can drag on until the next elections. The Olympic Games – first summer, with temporary periods, because they are very soon, and then winter – After all, there will be new rounds of proposals for extension. Naturally, in the name of the safety of the participants, as it is now.

And yet, at some point it must change. Yes, we have chosen today and especially expect positive results in the use of Russia, not necessary. But it is possible that they can stay where there are chances for this, it is impossible. Nevertheless, subsequent attempts in the future to expect the vector of development that we assume have become a little easier.