Ice skating rinks in the UK have been classified as an "indoor entertainment facility" going into the tiered system. This means that places in tier 3 have to close rinks but DO NOT have to close hair and nail salons. This is an INSULT to the skater community and we demand to be classed as a sport. We should not be grouped with bingo and casinos, we are an olympic sport and should not be prevented from returning to the training we all love and cherish in our lives. 

Quoting @Chloecantskate_ because she put it very well;

"An open letter to Boris Johnson... Could you please explain how you came to the agreement that figure skating is not a sport... We won gold in the Olympics... you know, the gold we won for GB?! But what gets to me the most, is the fact that we've been put in the same category as casinos.

I dont think I've ever skated and had another skater within 5 metres, yet football and rugby is ok?! What is the logic Boris, have you ever even visited a rink to see how we train?... I didnt think so.

Us figure skaters train HARD, our happiness is probably one of the hardest sports out there, it requires hours of strength, stability, stamina, balance, flexibility and endurance... Not to mention blood sweat and tears, yet kicking a ball IS a sport? Every SPORT has a part to play in the leisure industry, so why is ours the only one singled out? Public ice can be seen as purely an attraction (still a sport tho), but patch ice... That is purely for experienced skaters to train.

We HAVE to social distance, we have at least 5 metres between us else our elements would not be safe... Can you say the same for rugby or football?

Boris did you know, that suicide is the most common cause of death for 10-19? 99% of us use skating as a way to escape, a distraction. I myself use it to recover from my eating disorder, my grandad's funeral is next week, and i was relying on skating to get through it.... corona virus isn't the only thing killing people is it?

You are insulting us Boris you really are, THIS is why the nation has no faith in you."

Thank you Chloe for this letter, it was really well put and summarised this problem perfectly. Just because there is a virus, it doesn't mean that mental health is not important.

SKATING IS A SPORT NOT ENTERTAINMENT