| Jim
Pollard: U.S.A - CIPA President and respected Rollersports
icon. |
| Q1:
Can you tell us approximately how long you have been involved
in Artistic Roller Sports |
| A1:I
have been if the sport of roller skating for over 50 years |
| Q2:
Have you ever actively participated in the Sport or have you
always been involved in the Administration? |
|
A-2
I started as a skater in all events (figures, singles, pairs,
fours, dance) ,coaching, judging, rink operator,national
official, and for the past 20 years with F.I.R.S. and C.I.P.A
|
| Q3:
Your role as CIPA President takes you around the world all
year round. Is this a full time position or do you have to
squeeze in the work amongst other work commitments? |
| A-3
CIPA is not a full-time paid position. It is a voluntary
position which takes me out of town 5 months of the year. I do
sqeeze the work around other commitments. |
| Q4:
Has there been an event or country in particular that you
would say has been the highlight of your career to date, or is
there so many wonderful experiences that you find it hard to
choose? |
| A4:
You are right, it is hard to choose any particular event or
country that has been the highlight of my carreer. For me,
just being part of our sport and giving back what it has given
to me and working with all of my friends from around the
world, is my highlight. |
| Q5:
Roller Sports is going through some dramatic changes leading
in to new phases of the sport. No longer are we a four
discipline sport. There are a number of branches under the
FIRS title, is Artistic one of the biggest sectors of FIRS? |
| A5.
Artistic is one of the biggest disciplines in the F.I.R.S. I
have watched our sport advance over the last 25 years but
there is still lots of work to be done. |
|
Q6:
Do you think with the introduction of Junior Worlds in 1995
that is has assisted in the development and growth of Artistic
skating at International level? And what impact do you think
the Junior Worlds has made on the International scene?
|
| A6:
Junior
Worlds has a lot to do with the advancement of our sport. It
has helped new federations in the development of roller figure
skating. It has given new skaters a place to compete at their
level |
| Q7:
Is there any possibilities in the near future that the World
Art Championships will be broken up in to seperate events
being that it is continually growing in size with so many
events to be contested? ie: Art - Junior & Senior,
Precision & now Inline? |
| A7:There
are no plans at this time to separate the world championships.
As you know, we must think of how many times national teams
must travel. Don't forget, we have also added show team at the
2002 world championships. |
| Q8:
How do you feel the presence of Inline at the World meet this
year will be looked upon? Because traditionally, the
championships is an all QUAD event and the Inline appearance
may seem threatening, or do you believe it will be welcomed
with open arms in the hope of developing the sport? |
| A8:
In-line
free skating is the new kid on the block.Most of the old
school members will look down upon it however, In-line skating
is here to stay. There is a place for both the quad and
in-line skating in our sport. |
| Q9:
Is this years appearance of the Inline event likely to
continue at Worlds and broaden to other events on Inline or
will it remain strictly a Freestyle competition? I know there
are many dance skaters dying for the opportunity to compete at
World on Inline. |
| A9:
There is no decision at this time to add other events in
in-line skating other than the free skating events. I do know
that there are skaters who are attempting dance skating and
pairs skating. |
| Q10:
Do you honestly believe that the standard of Art at World
Level is improving? There seems to be a surge in technical
skills and only a minor development in the Artistic skills,
excluding many of the wonderful dance,pairs and singles
skaters of course. But there is a lack of the artistry that
appeals to the media and public. How can a Federation approach
this issue and encourage coaches to strive for perfection in
this area? |
| A10:
As you know, this is an age-old problem. Not just in our sport
but also in ice skating. The higher technical skills, the less
artistic and show skills are used. The more turns in the air
creates less spinning and atristic skating----just watch the
past Olympics. The only answer would be to limit the amount of
jumps that can be done in a long program. |
| Q11:
How difficult is it for FIRS & CIPA to attract media
attention for Artistic when holding a World event? Does it
vary from country to country? I have noticed that in South
America and some parts of Europe, the media a hungry for the
headlines and embrace our sport. In 1995 at the World meet,
our sport featured on the front page daily! |
| A11:
You
have the answer right--the media looks at our sport as a
second -class sport in most countries. This is due to
professional sports that makes it difficult to break into the
media. But we must keep trying and work for our sport whenever
possible. |
| Q12:
Are there any unexpected surprises in the bag for Artistic
Roller Sports?? Are we likely to see an invitation to contest
at Olympic level in the coming years or will we continue to
remain the shadow of Ice? It is often believed that Artistic
should be the Summer version of Winter Olympics Figure
skating.. What would it take to get the IOC to appreciate this
thought? |
| A12:
The
Olympics--our sport, with the help of F.I.R.S has been working
closely with the I.O. C. to accept our sport. Our next
opportunity will be in 2008 in China. Speed will most likely
have the best opportunity to be part of the Games. |
| Q13:
Considering the many other levels of skaters in our sport,
what is being done around the world to assist the development
of the sport to encourage all to participate? Have you seen
any programs run specifically that are working well and
showing improvement? |
| A13:
Our sport is developing all over the world. What is needed
most is for young people in our sport, at the world level,
instead of walking away from the sport, to give back by either
coaching, judging, or just encouraging new skaters to take
part. |
| Q14:
What are your words of wisdom for all those out there in the
world of Roller Sports? So many of us love skating and would
never like to see the sport die.. Alot of people Im sure would
like to thank you for all you have offered. |
| A14:
My
words of wisdom to our sport members is to enjoy your sport,
have fun, and do whatever you can to speak for your sport.
They need help other skaters advance and, as you said, tell
everyone how much you love your sport. (that's what I do.)
Don't
look back, unless that is the direction that you want to go. |
| Good
luck, Jayson. I am looking forward to seeing you at the World
Championships in Germany.
Jim
Pollard |
