In an interview with Sports.ru, double World Figure Skating Champion Kaori Sakamoto of Japan says she’ll be more motivated when the Russian figure skaters return to international competition. This is an understandable point of view especially since Sakamoto thrives when competing against the best.
Unfortunately, with the Russians absent, we’ve seen a decline in the overall standard at skating competitions internationally so bringing back the best in the business could only have a positive effect. Sakamoto said, “When the Russians are allowed to compete again, it will definitely give me motivation. I’m looking forward to this moment”.
She also mentioned that she has tried to keep up with events in Russian figure skating, but she doesn’t always have enough time. “I tried to follow how Russian skaters perform this season, but, of course, I didn’t have time to watch all the skates. I see how many new interesting girls in juniors have appeared there.”
Seeing the high standard on display at both junior and senior level competitions in Russia over this past year, it may be time for the ISU to follow the approach that tennis has taken by allowing the Russians to compete under a neutral flag.
