World Skating Federation Launched

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Meredith Geisler

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WORLD SKATING FEDERATION (WSF)
LAUNCHED WITH DESIGNS ON RECLAIMING SPORT'S IMAGE
Ron Pfenning named acting president of international figure skating organization

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 25, 2003) - Stating its mission to restore pride and integrity to a sport rocked by recent scandals, athletes, coaches and officials from the world of figure skating today announced the formation of the World Skating Federation (WSF) (www.worldskating.org).

"More than a year has passed since the Salt Lake City Olympic scandal," said 1992 Olympic silver medalist Paul Wylie (USA), who presided over the press conference. "We have watched as our sport has lost credibility with fans and the media. We have looked to leadership within the ISU (International Skating Union) for much-needed reforms. None have been forthcoming. We will not sit by any longer and watch the ruination of our sport."

Ron Pfenning, a longtime ISU Championship and Olympic referee for figure skating and ice dance, was announced as Acting President of the WSF. Pfenning was recently released from duties as an ISU referee after a disagreement with ISU President Ottavio Cinquanta on the judging system currently being implemented by the ISU. Italy's Sonia Bianchetti Garbato, an ISU Championship and Olympic judge and referee with 30 years of experience, was announced as WSF Acting Vice President.

"After years of refusal by the ISU Council to take strong action in the face of judging improprieties, an environment was created in which there are no ethical constraints on corruption nor effective deterrents to it," said Pfenning. "Instead, we see the leadership of the ISU asserting that the problem was the scoring system, not the persons awarding the scores.

"The ISU has no respect for the athletes who put their talents out in the open and on the line," added Pfenning. "Instead of taking steps to prevent corruption, it takes strong steps to assure that future corruption will simply never again become public."

In reviewing the mission of the WSF, Pfenning said the group would be an athlete-focused international sport organization with the purpose of governing and promoting figure skating throughout the world by ensuring its integrity. He emphasized that the new body will be an "open democratic organization with a culture encouraging debate and feedback among athletes, coaches and judges."

"We do not approve of interference in the sport of figure skating based on political or any other grounds and will make every effort to avoid such interference," said Pfenning. "The World Skating Federation shall ensure that the interests of all members are observed and respected."

Pfenning and U.S. Championship judge Jon Jackson, the current chair of the United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) International Committee, are credited with spearheading the formation of the WSF.

Under the direction of Cinquanta, the ISU currently governs the sports of figure skating and speedskating. Officials with the WSF have organized with the intent of solely overseeing figure skating.

"The ISU is governed by a former speedskater in Ottavio Cinquanta," said Wylie. "It makes perfect sense for them to continue overseeing the growth of that sport. It is in the best interest of the sport of figure skating, however, that it be guided by people whose primary interests are the athletes and the future of figure skating worldwide."

"Figure skating must be given a chance to grow," said Ted Clarke, first vice president of the USFSA. "For that to happen, athletes must have a fair and equal chance and judging has to be open to scrutiny. Those who violate their ethical codes must be dismissed with no exceptions."

Clarke's remarks point toward the controversy at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and the eventual admission by French judge Marie Reine Le Gougne that she influenced the voting in the Pairs finals. The sport, in the minds of many, has been mired under a cloud of controversy and corruption since that time.

1984 Olympic champion Scott Hamilton (USA), 1948 and 1952 Olympic champion Dick Button (USA) and a number of judges and referees also voiced their support of the WSF.

In addition, the WSF has gained widespread support from numerous current and former figure skaters, including four-time World champion Kurt Browning (Canada); 2000 World bronze medalists Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas (Lithuania); 1996 World champion and six-time U.S. National champion Todd Eldredge; two-time Olympian and U.S. champion John Misha Petkevich (USA); 2002 Olympic gold medalists Jamie Sale and David Pelletier (Canada); 1984 and 1988 Olympic gold medalist Katarina Witt (Germany); and 1992 Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi (USA).

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