23 October 2021, 14:08
State Duma MP Dmitry Svishchev spoke about the issues of obtaining Canadian visas for Russian athletes to perform at the Skate Canada Grand Prix Series stage.
“To be honest, this visa situation already got it. Of course, this can only be disturbing. I read the speech of FFKKR general manager Alexander Kogan – he is quite optimistic. He says that the problem will be solved, that the International Skating Union (ISU) is interested in it as well. Everyone fully understands that today, without Russian figure skaters, no sports competition can be considered serious. All the best and most successful skaters dream of fighting with the Russians, because it is our athletes, the girls, who show the main results, ”Svishchev told Gazeta.Ru.
The parliamentarian believes that the reasons why Russian skaters do not receive visas are far-fetched.
“If you want, you can always meet the athletes halfway. If the athletes really want to see them, visa assistance is provided to them, despite the difficult situation with the coronavirus and the restrictions. If there is no policy here, it should be decided in the near future. If there is a policy, then why can our athletes be tortured and mocked? It is no other name than mockery. They are getting ready – and are on edge: should they go or not? Everyone plans the competition in advance – especially during the Olympic season. I would call it interference in the preparations for the Olympics, ”said Svishchev.
Among those who do not yet have a visa are Kamila Valieva, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Alena Kostornaya, Evgeny Semenenko and Makar Ignatov. The Russian delegation is due to fly to Canada on October 24. The competition will take place in Vancouver from October 29 to 31.
Former Honorary President of the Russian Figure Skating Federation (FFKKR) Valentin Piseev urged not to seek a policy of not issuing Canadian visas to Russian figure skaters.
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