The winners of the Russian championship in ice dancing Diana Davis and Gleb Smolkin last season received money from Russian budget. Shortly before the change of sports citizenship. Sport understands why the rare abrupt explanations of the current situation only confuse the public.
The transition of Diana and Gleb under a different flag should not raise big questions. They are quality dancers. You want to perform on the international arena while you are still young and full of energy. And those who can bring at least some benefit, just like that, do not leave the country. Dancer Dario Chirizano will not let you lie.
Davis and Smolkin had enough opportunities. There were chances to try their luck in the USA, Israel and Georgia. For outside observers, everything probably looks like an attempt to stumble at least where. However, let's do without condemnation.
The public got what they expected all year. The transition of the couple under another flag took place. The only question that arises in this situation is not «Why are they leaving?», but «What was it all about?»
Speech about the filing of the transition by officials. From the first summer conversations about America, the words «nonsense», «rumor», «gossip», «chatter» were heard. Of course, the most sincere denials. The coach of the Russian national figure skating team Elena Chaikovskaya finished the parade of official statements.
After the truth was revealed, Dmitry Kuznetsov, a correspondent for Sport-Express, published a recording of a conversation with Elena Anatolyevna dated June 2 on the Telegram channel. The head coach was asked a direct question — did the guys ask for permission to change the flag? The answer, as they say, killed: «Where did you get such ***** (nonsense)?»
also turned to Tchaikovsky for a comment. The norms of decency do not allow publishing Elena Anatolyevna's short answer in full. It featured the word «zadolbali» in a slightly more outrageous formulation. However, the explanation of the situation from the head coach for both publications looked the same.
After the appearance of an insider about the officially approved transfer of the couple to the Georgian national team, Tchaikovsky's rhetoric changed:
«
"The Bureau of the Executive Committee of the Figure Skating Federation approved the decision. They haven't competed or trained with us for a year and a half. Therefore, we did not spend any money on them. Let's let go, «said the coach.
At the same executive committee, the aforementioned Chirizano did not receive a release. Then Elena Anatolyevna told Match TV:
«
«The situation is unequivocal. He is a member of the national team, he played all season, we don't let him go. We spent a lot of money.»
Dario had no formal grounds for issuing a release. In May, he was a member of the Russian national team, and no more than six months have passed since the last start. The official quarantine of the International Skating Union (ISU) for those wishing to change sports citizenship is one full year. This is probably about providing members of the main and reserve teams with the necessary equipment, funds to pay fees and set up programs. There is also a salary. Perhaps Elena Anatolyevna did not take it into account in the comments, but it exists.
Travel expenses for domestic competitions are not included in the list. For example, the ex-director of «Sambo-70» Renat Laishev, in an interview with, said that the skaters of «Khrustalny», when they were students of his educational institution, traveled around Russia at the expense of the school. The Federation paid for their travel to international competitions. The autumn information about CSKA junior figure skaters can also serve as an indirect confirmation. Then the school also appeared in conversations about reimbursement of expenses.
The inventory is provided with money from the Ministry of Sports. At the end of 2020, data on them ceased to be published in the public domain. With due skill, you can find a document for 2016. It states that a total of slightly more than 18 million rubles were allocated to provide equipment for the base and reserve of the national team, of which the share of the FFKKR is 904 thousand. They purchased 198 pairs of boots and blades for skates, 190 pairs of covers, 198 suits and 200 pairs of tights. Slightly more modest numbers in 2020. There, at the expense of the federal budget, 142 suits and 80 pairs of boots with blades were purchased.Also in the document from 2016, you can find the following curious phrase:
Remember it, we will return to it later.
All this is mandatory for members of the main team. It is unlikely that specifically Davis and Smolkin were not given money. About the same salary, as mentioned above, Denis himself spoke in the fall. In addition, the day before, a fresh response from the Ministry of Sports to an appeal about the financial satisfaction of the couple was at the disposal. We quote the key point:
«
«Regarding the dance duet Davis/Smolkin, we inform you that these athletes in the sports season 2022/23 were included in the lists of candidates for the national figure skating team and received financial support from the federal budget».
True, the department did not specify what exactly the funds were allocated for. Relatively speaking, we are talking only about wages or about other expenses too. However, on the basis of the document, one can ask the question: «Is there really no money» allocated? and the conversation about them did not turn at all in order to shake over every penny. Yes, and the guys at that time were really members of the main team. They had every right to money.
The point is this. If «no money» was allocated for them, then how did it happen? Suppose the skaters notified the federation in advance that they were not going to use the well-deserved benefits this season. Or they didn’t even report it, and as of January 1, 2023, the federation simply settled an unspent surplus of funds that must be returned to the budget.
In any case, this would be completely a clear signal for management that at least in the season a couple should not be expected. Why, then, did the fans hope for their participation in the control screenings? Not to mention that the federation would almost certainly have known about the plans to change the flag. And if we accept it as a fact that there was funding in one volume or another, then how to understand the phrase about «no money»? br>It remains the same question — «What was it all about?» They respond reluctantly and with irritation. And now, of course, we are not talking about Davis and Smolkin themselves. They are not to blame for anything.
The opinion of the author may not coincide with the position of the editors.