Figure Skating

Richard Pound says figure skating remains a "nightmare sport" and that the judging system remains susceptible to corruption.

Speaking to a business conference in B.C. on Monday, the former International Olympic Committee vice-president said figure skaters can't be sure a scandal similar to the one that engulfed the Games in 2002 won't happen again.

"I don't see much improvement," Pound tells the Vancouver Sun. "You don't know what's going through (the judges') minds. It's so corrupt that the judging is anonymous."

Following the 2002 scandal which cost Canadian skaters Jaime Sale and David Pelletier a gold medal, the International Skating Union overhauled the scoring system, introducing anonymous judging. Pound says the changes did not go far enough.

"Any time you've got judges not having to account for the scores, that's a problem," he said. "In my respectful view, they don't have control of it yet."

Ted Barton, the executive director of Figure Skating British Columbia - who had a hand in the new scoring system - calls Pound's comments "irresponsible".

"I think it is reckless and inconsiderate," he tells the newspaper. "A man of his stature should know better to do your homework before making a comment like that. I don't mean to be rude to Mr. Pound, and I have tremendous respect for his work, but that does not mean he deserves respect for a comment like that."

Barton agrees that the system could be better but stands by the changes, saying it has given the power "back to the athletes."