Short Track Speed Skating ISU Four Continents Championships 2023

[phelps 8,403]

3 hours ago, Monzanator said:

Yet Africa is obviously nowhere to be found and likewise Australia (and we pretend South America belong to Americas as a whole). What is the value of winning a Four Continents championship if you know it's basically five nations competing - Canada, USA, Korea, China & Japan? Will any other country even have a shot at medals? I mean Japan isn't really that good in short track either. Unless some nations start fielding naturalized Koreans

Australia actually has quite a good tradition (and not only because of unforgettable Bradbury), even if some of their best skaters sometimes choose to represent other Nations once they reach decent level.

 

and don't forget Kazakhstan. they're really building a good team among the men.

 

Japan has a strong tradition, but nowadays they're in a period of "low", as most of their talents play their cards in the most lucrative long track speedskating.

but it's not that they can regain their old status sooner or later.

 

in Europe, with Russia out of contention and Hungary dismantled by the Liu brothers switching to China and Krueger leaving the team, it's basically Netherlands, then Italy and way behind 4 or 5 odd individuals here and there (among them,  the Desmets,  Maliszewksa in the women's sprint events,  Seidel in the women's longer distance events,  Bykanov in the men's longer distance events and the  newcomers among the men).

and that's all.

[phelps 8,403]

4 minutes ago, Monzanator said:

But why call it Four Continents when you can call it Four Nations championships? Why even bother with the minnows?

'cause it's open to skaters from 4 different Continents (in terms of simple participation however it's not only those 5 or 6 competitive Nations).

[Monzanator 4,828]

Other than ISU is there any other governing body that bothers with a "global" four continents championship? This sure looks like one huge manipulation from outside. I mean the World Championships are basically held annually anyway so what's the point?

 

PS. Liu brothers are back to China?  What happened other than money?

[Grassmarket 4,108]

It’s the same as all minority sports now. Medal-winning nations get big funding & big public interest, also-rans fade away.

 

    now don’t fund much short-track, but put that money into Aerials, Freestyle & Ski Jumping instead.  Since short track only requires a standard ice rink, nobody can complain about lack of opportunity. But as long as you have a Four Continents the minor nations can at least get some kind of prestige, media attention, Olympic Qs etc.

Edited November 11, 2022 by Grassmarket