'Deliberately slashed': Shock allegations rock figure skating world

The International Skating Union (ISU) has been forced to dismiss suggestions South Korean skater Lim Eun-soo was deliberately injured by rival Mariah Bell.

In scenes reminiscent of Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan in 1994, reports emerged on Thursday that American Bell had hurt Lim during a warm-up at the World Championships in Japan.

Bell was alleged to have kicked out at 16-year-old Lim, cutting her leg, as they prepared for the women’s short programme on Wednesday.

However, the ISU says there is no evidence of any intention on behalf of Bell, while rejecting claims a formal complaint had been received.

Their statement read: “The incident was verbally reported to the ISU by the Korean team leader, however no formal complaint has been received.

“Based on the evidence at hand at this point in time, which includes a video, there is no evidence that Ms. Bell intended any harm to Ms. Lim.

“The ISU met with delegates from both USA and Korea and urged both parties to find an amicable solution. The ISU maintains that this remains the appropriate approach.”

Korean officials told AFP on Thursday that they had lodged a formal complaint following the incident, in which Lim’s management agency alleged Bell kicked their skater, slashing her with her skate.

The 16-year-old Lim, skating in her first senior world championships, was patched up before scoring a personal-best 72.91 points to place fifth in the short skate at Saitama, just ahead of Bell.

Lim’s All That Sports agency said there was reason to believe Bell’s act was deliberate, claiming Lim was skating close to the rink wall away from her rivals and the American collided with her from behind.

Bullying claims

Lim and Bell both train under coach Rafael Arutyunyan and the Korean skater’s management also alleged Bell had been “bullying Lim for months” leading up to the world championships, according to local media.

The management company also claimed Bell failed to apologise after the incident, a point many on social media jumped on.

“The problem with Mariah Bell was that she was skating too close to the edge and her blade stabbed into Eunsoo’s leg,” tweeted one fan.

“Putting all bullying rumours aside, shouldn’t she have apologised?”

However plenty of skating fans came out in support of Bell, while others called for calm.

“First of all people need to CALM DOWN and analyse,” suggested one Twitter user.

“Why would a veteran skater like Bell injure someone during a PUBLIC PRACTICE in front of hundreds of fans? None of the fans, who were taking notes, said ANYTHING about a collision.”

with agencies