Read the full story on SportsLook - [ICE TIME] Takeshi Honda and Miki Ando Deny Allegations of Harassment at Skating School
The words of one of Japan's most prominent skating coaches ring true as another manufactured "scandal" surfaces.
As longtime coach Mie Hamada told Ice Time in an interview many years ago, "The most important thing is controlling the parents."
Hamada's remarks remain true to this day.
The seemingly never-ending string of complaints against authority figures that have become commonplace in sports almost everywhere have now reached into the world of Japanese skating.
An unhappy parent is alleged to have filed a complaint with the Japan Skating Federation over the treatment of their child. The parent’s claims were against two-time world bronze medalist Takeshi Honda and two-time world champion Miki Ando, according to a recent story published in the weekly magazine Shukan Shincho.
"The content of the accusation was that the guidance of Mr Honda and Miss Ando was inappropriate," the story read.
Honda, who coaches at Kansai University's rink in Takatsuki, Osaka Prefecture, is accused by anonymous parents of moral harassment and opaque billing charges for services rendered in the story.
The 42-year-old Honda and the 35-year-old Ando, who occasionally coaches with Honda at the rink, both denied any wrongdoing in the lengthy piece. Shukan Shincho featured the article in its June 1 edition of the magazine and teased it on the cover.
Ice Time covered both Honda and Ando during their competitive days. After dealing with them numerous times over the years, Ice Time has never detected any kind of behavior that would align with the claims made in the story.
Details from the Skating Article
According to the piece, Honda coaches a team of approximately 30 students ranging from elementary school to university age. They are students at the rink where Hamada once coached.
In addition to having skated in two Olympics (Nagano, Salt Lake City), Honda also provides television commentary during events each season.
One of the claims made in the piece is "there is a big difference in treatment depending on the student."
This is a common refrain from skating parents who don't seem to understand that skaters with higher skill levels are going to draw more attention from elite coaches than those who are not as advanced. It has nothing to do with bias.
Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.
Author: Jack Gallagher
The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on Twitter @sportsjapan
