 | |
| Sport | Skating |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | WSF |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Closure date | 2005 |
The World Skating Federation (WSF) was an effort in 2003 to replace the International Skating Union as the governing body for ice skating. [1]
| | |
| Sport | Skating |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | WSF |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Closure date | 2005 |
The World Skating Federation (WSF) was an effort in 2003 to replace the International Skating Union as the governing body for ice skating. [1]
The WSF was founded in the aftermath of the 2002 Winter Olympics figure skating scandal. [1] Plans for the organization were announced in March 2003, [2] and involved former ISU officials Sally-Anne Stapleford, Sonia Bianchetti, Ron Pfenning, and Britta Lindgren. [3]
The group promised to judge in an unbiased manner by utilizing the 6.0 system, as well as by ensuring that ice skating judging panels are geographically balanced and held accountable. [2]
Most of the group's members were noted to be from the United States, or work there. [2] At the time plans for WSF were announced, the group had a planned budget of $1 million, but had only raised about $200,000. [2] The money was mostly raised from individuals making small donations. [2]
At the time of the group's founding, it had received no support from any national skating federations, despite claims that the United States Figure Skating Association would support the WSF. [2] The USFSA's executive committee later voted to endorse the WSF's principles, but not the group itself. [4]
In addition, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge declined to meet with the group or consider its platforms, saying the IOC only recognizes one federation per sport. [5]
ISU officials condemned efforts at creating the WSF and criticized its members, saying they did nothing to produce judging reforms during their time with the ISU. [4]
Criticisms of WSF members, similar to those voiced by the ISU, were echoed by those outside of the ISU, [3] but the group did receive positive comments from at least one commentator, who said its members were echoing sentiments that are well known for some time. [6]
ISU officials threatened to punish federations or individuals who supported the breakaway group. [4] Hungarian judge Judit Furst-Tombor was dropped from the judging panel at a competition, a day after she joined the press conference announcing the WSF's founding. [7] Some national federations, including Skate Canada, threatened to expel members if they supported the WSF. [8]
In response, WSF officials filed a lawsuit against the ISU in December 2003, citing anti-competitive behavior. The lawsuit was dismissed in February 2005. [9] Shortly thereafter, Pfenning, at the time the group's acting president, announced that the group would be dissolved. [10]
Eventually, the ISU decided that Furst-Tombor, along with Stapleford, Pfenning, Lindgren, Jon Jackson and Jan Garden, were excluded from the group. [1]
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