Pressure on ISU to cancel world championships.

The International Skating Union and the Japan Skating Federation have been faced with a tough decision in the days since the natural disasters hit Japan. The World Figure Skating Championships were due to start next week in Tokyo. Whilst no damage to the competition venue itself have been reported, there has been growing pressure from skaters, federations and fans to move, postpone or cancel the event.

The ISU recently released this statement, promising a final decision by Monday morning (European time). The German Skating Federation has withdrawn its entire team to add pressure to the federations and other countries may follow suit.

My opinion is that the event should be called off but that a separate charity event to raise money for the relief fund should be held elsewhere as soon as possible. 

Understandably this will mean significant costs to the federations, but would be an ideal way to show support to a country in distress.

Skaters worldwide have also been spreading support via twitter. Special wishes go out to Fumie Suguri who's grandfather died yesterday morning and to Mirai Nagasu who has been waiting anxiously to hear news of her Japanese grandparents.