A new President of the International Skating Union is set to be
elected at the organisation’s much-anticipated Congress where
members are poised to vote on several contentious issues over the next
four days.
The International Skating Union has officially confirmed the four
individuals that are aiming to become the new head of the
organisation, while vice-president Alexander Lakernik is among six
Russian officials standing in the upcoming elections despite
opposition due to the war in Ukraine.
Spectators in the Thialf stadium in 2016. Photo: Depositphotos.com
Professional speed skaters and coaches have suggested the Thialf ice stadium in Heerenveen has tampered with the air vents to give skaters an unfair advantage, the AD reported at the weekend.
The 600 vents around the rink are used to create ‘a curtain of air’ between the stands and the ice rink to prevent moisture from affecting the ice. Normally positioned to blow the air straight up, they have now been changed to create a tailwind straight into the skaters’ backs, putting in doubt record speeds achieved at the stadium, skating pundits claim.