Psychological Violence and Threats: Ukrainian Figure Skating Judge Suspended

Figure skating has been one of the most scandalous sports for decades. Despite seeming like nothing can surprise or shock anymore, some individuals still manage to do so. Ukrainian judge Alena Lisova was suspended for a year for “violating the organization’s ethics code”. She had been intimidating a skater and subjecting psychological violence towards them during junior competitions. This is a serious issue that the International Skating Union (ISU) needs to address. Not too long ago, another Ukrainian judge, Yuri Balkov, was also permanently disqualified by the ISU, raising concerns about systemic problems within the sport. Lisova’s misconduct highlights the need for stricter regulations and oversight in figure skating. Judges in figure skating have always faced criticism for being biased. However, Alena Lisova was not reprimanded for her subjective judging. During a junior tournament on October 12, 2024, one of the participants in a dance duo complained about Lisova’s behavior towards them and their coach. Lisova approached the skater during a break and criticized them, pressuring them to go back to their former coach and threatening consequences if they didn’t comply with her demands. The ISU statement quoting the skater’s experience with Lisova is concerning. Following this incident, the ISU found Lisova guilty of violating the ethics code and suspended her for 12 months starting from January 13, 2025. She is also prohibited from having any contact with the affected skater and coach during this time. Although Lisova’s suspension will end soon, the repercussions of her actions may have a lasting impact on her professional relationships within the skating community. Additionally, Ukrainian judges have been embroiled in scandals before. In April, Yuri Balkov was banned for life for manipulation in judging at a junior Grand Prix event in Ljubljana. Two scandals involving Ukrainian judges in a short period will force the ISU to reconsider its oversight and regulations in the sport. It is time for the ISU to take decisive action to preserve the integrity of figure skating.