The French Ice Sports Federation (FFSG) wrote to the International Skating Federation (ISU) after comments from another time targeting the sexual orientation of ice dancer Guillaume Cizeron made by a Russian international judge.

This letter, sent on October 12, is signed by the president of the FFSG Nathalie Péchalat and addressed to the president of the ISU, the Dutchman Jan Dijkema.

"For several months, Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron have been targeted, not on a sporting level, but because of Guillaume's sexual orientation", who made his homosexuality public in May 2020, deplores the FFSG.

"It started on social networks, it is now relayed by the media," she continues.

The French federation refers to the words of the international judge of figure skating - and not of ice dance - Alexander Vedenin reported by the site of the Russian sports channel MatchTV about ten days ago on the occasion of the Finland Trophy, a secondary circuit competition won by the French duo.

"I find that sad", reacts Cizeron

“Papadakis and Cizeron are very good. (…) It will be difficult to beat them. We will have to bet on another idea of ​​dance and new elements, but also on feelings! They skate very well but in a cold way. One of the partners has a non-traditional sexual orientation, and it can't be hidden "while" Sinitsina and Katsalapov [the Russians crowned 2021 world champions in the absence of Papadakis and Cizeron] can express true love, and it can lead them to victory, ”Vedenin said.

"I have experienced worse as an attack ..."



Figure skater Guillaume Cizeron reacts to homophobic attacks emitted from Russia, saying that the public "simply wants to see emotion, virtuosity and connection" during the competitions .

#TLS @GuillaumeCIZ pic.twitter.com/Bfpd7jj2se

- francetvsport (@francetvsport) October 20, 2021

“We cannot accept what is happening to our athletes. The International Skating Federation cannot remain silent in the face of this surge of hatred ", writes the FFSG, which questions the ISU on" the measures (which it) intends to take to put an end to all this ". Invited to speak on the program Tout le Sport on France 3 on Wednesday, Guillaume Cizeron spoke of a "pathetic attempt to harm [him]". “There is no hateful comment without fear […], he added. I think we are feared because we are the favorites for the competitions to follow in the season. I find that sad. "

Papadakis and Cizeron, 2018 Olympic vice-champions, four-time world champions and five-time European ice dance champions, are the main contenders for gold at the Beijing Games in less than four months, the only title they lack. awards.

Sport

Coming-out: "Little, I had learned to hate myself", Guillaume Cizeron looks back on his homosexuality in a moving book

Sport

In "Should we speak", six athletes break the taboo of homosexuality in sport

  • Sport

  • Winter sport

  • Homosexuality

  • Homophobia

  • Skating

  • Olympic Games