I'd like to propose a fundamental
fairness rule that I admit would be very controversial, among people in the medical and rules committees.
I believe all rules and standards changes should have their implementation delayed at least 1 or 2 or even more years after they are announced.
I don't care whether these rules or standards apply to skating technique, judging, music, equipment, clothing, the distinction between foods, nutritive supplements and banned performance enhancing drugs, eligibility, or the criteria by which an athlete's nationality or gender are determined. This concept should apply across the board, in all sports.
When you see a high level competition, everyone in the competition has spent most of their lives specifically training for such competitions - PER CURRENT RULES, or what they can reasonably expect those rules to be.
Likewise, people may spend over a year planning and putting together a costume or music or program. Change the rules and standards, and many don't have time to adapt.
Likewise, a substance which is considered a nutritive supplement or medically desirable one month, at some level of body content, might now be banned and tested for shortly before a competition - not giving enough time for the athletes to flush it out of their system. To use an extreme example, imagine arriving at a competition and being told that caffeine or chocolate or traces of your favorite sports drink, e.g., Gatorade or Red Bull, would disqualify you, and result in a long term ban.
It's also not
fair that a skater or coach who is privy to discussions of rules changes about to be made has an advantage over those who isn't. It's not fair that politicking on next month's rules and standards, to benefit one group of skaters or coaches, at the expense of the others, might play a significant role in who wins.
(And yes, I believe that should apply to the types of radical structural change the o.p. of this thread proposes, should such changes ever be made.
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Comments?