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EU: EC targets ice skating

By  |  September 27, 2016

The International Skating Union was surprised by the news that the European Commission has adopted a Statement of Objections in the course of its antitrust investigation of the ISU’s eligibility rules prohibiting skaters from participating in unauthorized events that are not on the ISU international calendar.

European Commissioner Margrethe Vestagersaid: “International sports governing bodies play a unique role in setting the rules of the game and ensuring standards of conduct. They are responsible for both the health and safety of athletes and for the integrity of competitions. We have concerns that the penalties the ISU imposes on skaters through its eligibility rules are not aimed at preserving high standards in sport but rather serve to maintain the ISU’s control over speed skating. The ISU now has the opportunity to reply to our concerns.”

The ISU is the sole body recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to administer the sports of figure skating and speed skating on ice. Its members are national ice-skating associations.

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