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For all the television specials, movies and ice shows Brian Boitano has appeared in since winning the men's skating title at the Calgary Olympics two years ago, the opportunity he wanted most was a chance to compete in the Olympics again. Now, he can't. Representatives of the International Skating Union, the world governing body for figure and speed skating, adopted proposals yesterday in Christchurch, New Zealand, that relaxed eligibility rules for skaters who intend to skate professionally, enabling them to return to competition, so long as they gain approval from their national federation.
But a motion that would have allowed skaters who have already worked as professionals and teachers to apply for reinstatement was withdrawn before a vote could be taken.
In effect, the rules now permit someone like Jill Trenary, the three-time United States national champion who won the world title in March, to turn professional, earn money, yet remain eligible for major championships, including the 1992 Olympics in Albertville, France.
Permission from the United States Figure Skating Association would likely be automatic, said Chuck Foster, the U.S.F.S.A.'s representative to the I.S.U., who added, ''If not, I'm sure the skater would quickly find a lawyer.''
On the other hand, skaters like Boitano, Katarina Witt and scores of others who have left competitive skating and have earned money from ice shows or other skating ventures would not be eligible to return to the Olympics, world championships or other competitive events.
Continue reading the main storyThe regulation that opens competition to the future professionals passed by a resounding vote of 55-6.
The United States was one of three countries opposing the relaxation of the rules, along with Canada and Italy.
''Our organization came to the conclusion that if it isn't broke, don't fix it,'' Foster said from Christchurch. ''We feel our sport is very popular. It's doing well. We have a nice group of people who graduate and new stars emerge. So we feel the system works very well.''
Trenary called the decision ''wonderful'' but said it would not affect her decision to continue skating competitively beyond her next event, the Goodwill Games, later this year in Seattle. Shortly after that, she said from her home in Colorado Springs, she would decide if she wanted to skate in Albertville. She finished fourth in Calgary.
Boitano, who left competitive skating after winning the gold medal in Calgary, was saddened by the vote. He viewed the decision as ''stupid'' because allowing past champions ''would have been so good for the sport.''
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