Russian news agency TASS reported that a source close to the situation has revealed that the International Skating Union (ISU) will not object to Russian figure skaters using composer’s Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s music as the anthem during awards ceremonies at the World Championships.
Due to the decision by the Court of Arbitration of Sport, Russian athletes cannot represent Russia at World Championships and the Olympic Games – that is, compete under the Russian flag or the country’s national anthem – until mid-December 2022.
The Figure Skating Federation of Russia offered to use an excerpt from Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 at awards ceremonies and the ISU did not object. The same decision has been made at the currently ongoing 2021 World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships, which are also organized by the ISU. Russian speed skaters are performing under the banner of the Russian Skating Union, and recent gold medalist in the women’s 500 metres event Angelina Golikova heard Tchaikovsky’s music on the top step of the podium.
The World Figure Skating Championships will be held from March 22 to 28 in Stockholm, Sweden.
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