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Saturday May 13, 7:18 PMFigure skating: Arakawa calls on JSF to become trustworthy(Kyodo) _ Turin Olympic gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa, who recently decided she will turn professional, said Saturday she hopes the Japan Skating Federation will build a more transparent organization for the sake of its skaters.Arakawa made the comments while attending a congratulatory banquet for her achievement at a Tokyo hotel, referring to a scandal in which its former president Katsuichiro Hisanaga allegedly embezzled the federation's funds for his private use. Eight members of the JSF executive committee will also resign at the end of June over their alleged involvement in the questionable handling of business operations for staging international figure skating events among other shady fiscal practices involving inappropriate management. "I hope that the JSF can create an environment that skaters can put their trust in," said Arakawa. "The people running the federation need to look forward and restructure the system." "I have to apologize that we have let this type of scandal happen with the skaters watching close by," said acting federation president Yasuakira Hayashi. Arakawa, who was handed a reward of 2 million yen by Hayashi for her gold-medal performance in Turin, also said she intends to perform at the world-renowned Champions on Ice in the United States, showcasing former world and Olympic champions in figure skating. "It will be an honor as a Japanese to be part of this show, which is the most popular among ice shows. I would like to study my craft in my first year so that I can become popular even in the United States," said Arakawa, who plans to join the Champions on Ice tour in Chicago on June 24. |
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