Scandal in figure skating: Ukrainian judge has been disqualified for life

Artem Koval and Irina Pidhain

Federation of figure skating of Ukraine

The International Union of Skating (ISU) has performed for life by the Ukrainian judge Yuri Balkov for an attempt to influence the results of the junior Grand Prix from the figure skating in Lublyana in October 2024.

This was reported by the ISU press service.

The investigation showed that Balkov sent a SMS judge to support the Ukrainian pair of Irina Podgaina and Artem Koval. As a result, Podgain and Koval won the competition.

The judge who received the message did not respond to him and redirected his technical controller of the competition, who in turn announced the Vice President ISU.

On March 5, 2025, during an oral hearing in the case in Munich, Balkov denied the accusation, but recognized the fact of messages.

On March 25, ISU decided to remove Yuri Balkov’s lifelong removal. The other three suspects, namely Elena Lisova (Ukraine), Esena (Turkey) Essay and Roland Mader (Switzerland), was justified.

It should be noted that Balkov had previously received disqualification for manipulation at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano.

We will remind, in February 2025 Koval and Podgain showed the best in 10 years The result of Ukraine at the Junior World Cup.