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Due to the pandemic, the world has witnessed an increase in cancellation and rescheduling of multiple international sports events in the last two years. As per the latest development, the International Skating Union (ISU) has decided not to hold the fourth stop of the 2022-23 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in China.

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Has ISU cancelled the Cup of China?

Following the advice of the Chinese Skating Association, the ISU has decided to cancel the series in China due to COVID-19 restrictions. It marks the latest event affected in the country because of COVID-19 protocols.

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Although ISU has canceled the Cup of China, the governing body is yet to confirm a host for the meet. However, the union is on the lookout for a country to host the series.

China had regularly hosted the Grand Prix of Figure Skating before the pandemic. However, in 2021, the country could not host the series because of the pandemic. Furthermore, the cancelation of the final leg of the series in 2020 was also due to similar concerns.

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Last year, the final series was also canceled due to the imposition of travel restrictions in Osaka, Japan. It marked the cancellation of the Grand Prix Final for the second time in two years.

Previous cancelations of Grand Prix of Figure Skating

After canceling the Cup of China of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating last season, the ISU issued a statement that read, “The ISU was informed of the cancellation of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating – Cup of China.”

The statement further added, “The ISU regrets that the hosting of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating – Cup of China is no longer viable and thanks the Chinese Figure Skating Association for their continued effort and support.

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However, the ISU has not yet released a statement regarding the host country for the fourth stop of the series. Last year, the ISU moved the venue to Italy after China raised concerns to hold the series. It marked the first time for Italy to host a Grand Prix series. However, the dates of the meeting remained the same. China implemented a closed-loop management system at the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games 2022. Through this system, they held both meets successfully without witnessing a spike in cases.

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But it seems unlikely that the country will host the Cup of China series this year in light of the recent surge in infections. After the Rostelecom Cup, it is the second cancellation of a series this season.