Yolanda Chen: Russian figure skaters have been an engine for progress
The sports commentator believes that without our skaters the competitions lose their technique and entertainment.
Renowned track and field athlete and commentator Yolanda Chen commented on the lack of progress of foreign figure skaters in the absence of Russian athletes in international competitions.
"It has been said many times that there is no progress in women's world figure skating without our girls. Figure skating advances through technique, jumps. Our absence is a huge step backward. Russian figure skaters were a benchmark, an engine for progress. And now why take risks and learn jumps if you can win a tournament by doing a set of prehistoric jumps? It's boring and uninteresting. Of course, anyone takes the path of least resistance. Certainly they're going to stop in their development." - she said.
Chen is confident that when the Russians return to international competition, all of the competitors will be behind them. She thinks foreigners should be targeting Russians even now.
American Ashley Wagner resented the participation of Russian coaches at the World Championships