Rossiyskaya Gazeta: "Moscow to welcome ice skaters"
Moscow makes bid to host World Figure Skating Championships
The Russian Figure Skating Federation yesterday sent its official bid to the International Skating Union (ISU) to hold the World Figure Skating Championships in Moscow instead of Tokyo.
The Federation's head, Alexander Gorshkov, made an official announcement to the media.
"We have proposed holding the Championships between April 25 and May 1, 2011, most likely at the Megasport Ice Arena in Khodynka," he said.
He added that Moscow was also ready to postpone the event if needed.
Mr Gorshkov quoted Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who said at a meeting with Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth Policy Vitaly Mutko that holding the event in Moscow "could support Japan and the International Skating Union."
"The prime minister's statement approving Moscow's initiative to host the event is of great importance," Gorshkov told reporters. "Putin's words will obviously impress the ISU council members. Yet, this is no reason to believe that Moscow's bid has already been granted. It is still up to the ISU to decide, even though the Russian government's guarantee may be an important factor."
Japan ultimately cancelled its plans to host the championships last Monday. The event was to be held in Tokyo on March 21-27, but was postponed due to the tragic aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that recently hit Japan.
All national federations interested in to hosting the event were required to submit their bids to the ISU by March 22.
Finland, the United States and Canada made bids alongside Russia. The official decision is expected to be made by the end of this week.
Pavel Petrovsky
