Latvian figure skating coach Raimo Reinsalu has been temporarily disqualified, preventing him from participating in the upcoming Milan and Cortina Olympic Games, following a complaint to the International Skating Union.
Raimo Reinsalu, the coach and consultant for figure skaters in Latvia and Lithuania, has been handed a temporary disqualification that prohibits him from participating in the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina. According to a statement released by the coach's representatives to the media, the disqualification follows a complaint lodged against him by the International Skating Union (ISU). The coach has responded by appealing to the ISU for the disqualification to be lifted, claiming that it is a deliberate attempt to influence the psychological state of promising athletes from Latvia and Lithuania ahead of significant competitions.
Reinsalu expressed his disbelief at the situation, stating that such blatant and cynical actions from competitors are unprecedented in the world of figure skating. He regards the disqualification as a strategic move to undermine the emotional stability of his athletes, particularly in light of their crucial upcoming performances. He is expected to submit a response to the ISU within the next 21 days in relation to the complaint filed against him.
In addition to the controversy surrounding his disqualification, the Latvian Olympic Committee (LOK) informed that Reinsalu's inclusion in the Latvian delegation for the Olympics had not initially been planned, although there was a possibility for him to support another athlete from the delegation, Fedira KuΔΌiΕ‘a. This incident highlights the competitive tensions in the sport, particularly as athletes prepare for international events and navigate complex coaching dynamics.
