The ISU Council met on August 3, 2020 via an online meeting to discuss the 2020/21 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series among other topics.
Considering the continued critical COVID-19 developments involving many travel and other restrictions and especially risks around the World, the Council reiterated its basic policy decided during its April 28, 2020 Council meeting (ISU Communication 2320), namely that the health and safety of the participants of international ice skating events remains the number one priority. Mindful of the concern for health and safety related to COVID-19 but also the need to give Skaters the best possible opportunities to compete internationally, the ISU will give its utmost support to ISU Members in order to stage all international competitions that can safely be held during the season 2020/21.
Ksenia Stolbova and Andrei Novoselov (RUS) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (RUS) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
Considering the above mentioned exceptional circumstances, the basic ISU policy and with the objective to limit COVID-19 risky international traveling to the minimum, the Council considered a proposal received from the six organizing ISU Members of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series (Canada, China, France, Japan, Russia, USA). In line with the powers granted to the Council as per Article 17.1.q) of ISU Constitution, the Council agreed in principle to the proposal that each individual ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event of the season 2020/21 becomes a domestic run event. The Council agreement in principle remains subject to the ISU and each of the six organizing ISU Grand Prix Members reaching a detailed agreement.
Jessica Calalang and Brian Johnson (USA) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (USA) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
The participation in each individual ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event would be limited to
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Competitors and Officials of the host country and
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Competitors regularly training in the respective host country and
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Competitors from other ISU Members who will be assigned to a Grand Prix of Figure Skating event in the respective geographical area, always subject to the applicable travel, entry and sanitary restrictions of the concerned countries.
Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro (CAN) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (CAN) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
All relevant details such as applicable disciplines included in each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event, number and criteria/ conditions/restrictions of invited Competitors’ entries, qualification criteria for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, cost responsibilities, qualification and number of Officials, ISU financial & other assistance including Prize Money to the organizing ISU Members, will be worked out by a dedicated ISU Council appointed Working Group in cooperation with the six organizing ISU Members of the individual Grand Prix events and, subject to Council approval, will be published as soon as possible.
Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron (FRA) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (FRA) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
Each ISU Grand Prix event will be organized in accordance with the host country’s national health/sanitary requirements. Unless being in conflict with such national health/sanitary requirements, the ISU Guidelines to hold ISU Events during the COVID-19 Pandemic shall basically also apply. These Guidelines are currently being prepared and will be published as soon as possible.
For the sake of fairness, no World Standing/Ranking points will be awarded and the scores obtained by the Competitors shall not count towards the Minimum Total Elements Scores applicable for ISU Championships (Point 3 below to be considered in this respect).
Yuzuru Hanyu (JPN) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (JPN) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
The ISU Grand Prix events will in principle be broadcasted by the usual right holding media partners of the ISU respectively the organizing ISU Members.
The staging of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, time being planned to be held on December 10-13, 2020 in Beijing as Test Event for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, will be discussed with the ISU’s Chinese counterparts in order to conclude whether and when the Final can be held and under which conditions. The ISU will update the stakeholders as soon as a conclusion can be confirmed.
Boyang Jin (CHN) at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating (CHN) 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)
The ISU Council also discussed the ISU Challenger Series and the Minimum Technical Scores for ISU Championships. For further information please refer to the Decisions of the ISU Council in ISU Communication 2339.