“Even if it’s just an ice show, is it really appropriate to invite Russian skaters to Japan? Inviting them simply to boost ticket sales feels wrong.” Fantasy on Ice draws criticism over inviting Zagitova and Shcherbakova
“Fantasy on Ice” draws criticism over inviting Russian skaters.
original source: Tokyo Sports dd. May 14th 2025
Japanese figure skating ice show “Fantasy on Ice” draws criticism over inclusion of Russian Skaters. Here’s a translation of an article posted on Tokyo Sports.
“The ice show Fantasy on Ice (May 31 and June 1 at Makuhari Messe, Chiba) will feature Russian skaters Alina Zagitova, the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympic gold medalist, and Anna Shcherbakova, the 2022 Beijing Olympic gold medalist. This marks the first time in six years that both skaters will perform in Japan since 2019. However, the decision to invite them amid ongoing global tensions has sparked controversy.
The International Skating Union (ISU) has excluded athletes from Russia and its ally Belarus from competitions since March 2022 due to Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. Most recently, Russian and Belarusian skaters were barred from participating in the 2024–25 competition season. While the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics will allow “individual neutral athletes” from these countries to compete in the qualifiers, their participation in the team event remains prohibited. Some international federations have conditionally allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to return to competition, but the ISU has maintained a strict stance of exclusion.
The divergence between the ISU’s position and the actions of the show’s organizers has drawn significant reactions from industry insiders. One ice show organizer noted, “Of course, Zagitova and Shcherbakova themselves are not to blame,” but continued, “The ISU has made it clear that Russian and Belarusian athletes are not allowed to compete. Even if it’s just an ice show, is it really appropriate to invite Russian skaters to Japan?”
The organizer added, “Peace negotiations haven’t progressed, and we still hear news of so many lives being lost. Inviting Russian skaters simply to boost ticket sales feels wrong. At the very least, this should wait until the military conflict has subsided.”
According to the event organizers, Adam Siao Him Fa (France), who had been scheduled to perform, announced his withdrawal in late April. His statement explained, “I was forced to cancel my participation in Fantasy on Ice due to a scheduling conflict with an Olympic training camp being held for all athletes in France.” However, another figure skating insider speculated, “If that were the real reason, wouldn’t it have been known earlier? There are rumors that he withdrew because of the participation of Russian skaters.” This has only added to the tense atmosphere surrounding the event.
This edition of Fantasy on Ice will feature performances from Japanese skaters like Kaori Sakamoto and Ritsu Nakata. South Korean skater Cha Junhwan, the 2023 World silver medalist, will also participate, among others from both Japan and abroad.”
Related topics: Alina Zagitova, Anna Shcherbakova
“..we still hear news of so many lives being lost”. What they heard was ukrainians lost more lives than russians. They’re just butthurt like Ursulie von der lying. Russian economy is in tatters, russia guide missiles with chips from washing machines, sanctions are working, ukraine only lost 100k men whereas Russia lost 1M+ etc.
She’s gotta sniff some shit like her friends(Macron, Starmer and Merz), to believe in her own lies before she tweets it, day by day. Poor souls.
War aside, I dont know what Zagitova did to her face these days, but Schcherbakova is still one of the most beautiful woman on the planet. Come on man, its all about the money. Contracts, commercials, billboards, how to sell shit. East asians are obsessed with slavic, tatar and siberian models!
Yes, it’s in the Russian DNA to like killing people and being killed themselves. Zagitova and Shcherbakova are blood thirsty vampires. They called Putin and asked to start the war after winning the Olympics. All Russians are simply the monsters, not like other humans. Enjoy your feeling of superiority in the free and fair world!!