The International Skating Union (ISU) replied to six questions about concerns that the 22-28 March Stockholm 2021 Figure Skating Championships may become a ‘super-spreader’ of Covid-19 by reiterating that health and safety of all participants ‘remains the number one priority’, and by pointing to existing Guidance. On Friday 19 March, The Sports Integrity Initiative highlighted how the ISU had failed to acknowledge questions sent on 16 March or reply to them, despite being sent a reminder on 18 March. 

The ISU’s reply was received at 18:32 on 19 March, and reads as follows: ‘The health and safety of all participants of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2021 remains the number one priority for the International Skating Union (ISU) and the Organizing Committee (OC). 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.  This approach also applies to the ISU World Figure Skating Championships scheduled to be held in Stockholm (SWE) from March 22-28, 2021.

‘The Health Regulations for Event Participants of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2021 were prepared in cooperation with the ISU Medical Commission, the OC Medical Team and the competent Swedish health authorities. Strict and comprehensive protocols and measures of distancing, hand washing, masks, daily health checks and temperatures will be implemented along with a rigorous testing regime. Everyone within the Competition Bubble will undergo multiple PCR tests including:

• As per the requirements of the Swedish government, everyone travelling to Sweden will have to provide a negative PCR Test result that is not older than 48 before arrival in Sweden.

• A PCR Test upon arrival at the Official Hotel will be undertaken. Everyone has to stay inside their hotel room until the PCR Test result is known. Once the PCR test result is negative, the individual will be informed and only then can they pick up the accreditation card.

• An additional PCR test will be done no later than 4 days after the initial PCR test upon arrival/entry into the CB.

• Finally the OC can organize a PCR Test for all those requiring one before leaving the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2021 Competition Bubble.

Detailed information is available in the Health Regulations for Event Participants of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2021. 

‘The ISU World Figure Skating Championships serve as the main Olympic qualifying event for Beijing 2022. A maximum of 24 quota places out of 30 are available in the Ladies and Men’s Singles events, a maximum of 16 out of 19 entries in the Pairs and a maximum of 19 out of 23 in the Ice Dance event. The remaining quota places will be allocated to the NOCs at a Senior International Qualification Competition namely the Nebelhorn Trophy which is scheduled on September 22-25, 2021 in Oberstdorf (GER) (further information on qualification system for the Olympic Winter Games, Beijing 2022 is available here.)’

The six specific questions asked were as follows:

1. As mentioned, the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] says that Covid-19 has an incubation time of 2-14 days. Does Stockholm 2021 / the ISU accept that only five days of self-isolation [erratum: the ISU only requires five days of health monitoring using its online questionnaire] might be considered as dangerous by participants?

2. There is quarantine of up to 24hrs on arrival whilst awaiting the results of the PCR [Polymerase Chain Reaction] test. Given that skaters will arrive having come into contact with others during travel, does Stockholm 2021 / the ISU accept that this might be considered as dangerous by participants?

3. Is it accurate that any skaters arriving early, in order to quarantine themselves for longer upon arrival, will have to cover their own expenses?

4. Is it accurate that all attendees must sign a waiver promising not to hold the ISU accountable for any Covid-related damages?

5. Is it accurate that skaters must attend in order to qualify for Tokyo 2020 [erratum: Beijing 2022]?

6. Is postponement to accommodate a 14 day quarantine period & to sort out another way to qualify for Tokyo 2020 [Beijing 2022] possible? If not, why not?