European Union regulators have told the Int'l Skating Union that "its threat to impose lifetime bans on speed skaters for taking part in unauthorized events is anti-competitive, putting pressure on the ruling body and other agencies with similar penalties to back down," according to Foo Yun Chee of REUTERS. The European Commission's action on Tuesday "came after a year-long investigation following complaints by Dutch Olympic speed skaters Mark Tuitert and Niels Kerstholt." The skaters said that the sport's governing body had "threatened to bar athletes from ISU events if they compete in big-money Ice Derby events run by a South Korean company." The Commission said that such rules "restrict athletes' commercial freedom and prevent new entrants from organizing alternative international speed skating events as they are unable to attract top athletes." European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said, "We have concerns that the penalties the ISU imposes on skaters through its eligibility rules are not aimed at preserving high standards in sport but rather serve to maintain the ISU's control over speed skating" (REUTERS, 9/27).
