Tianjin, China was announced as the original host in October 2020.[1] The 2022 Four Continents Championships were one of several events cancelled by the Chinese Skating Association during the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon China's withdrawal as host on September 13, 2021, the International Skating Union asked for other non-European ISU members to apply as alternative hosts, with any relocation decision to be determined at the ISU Council meeting on October 1.[2] However, as no other qualified members chose to apply, the ISU asked the Estonian Skating Union, the host of the 2022 European Championships, to host the Four Continents Championships, resulting in the event having a European host for the first time.[3]
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
During the 2020–21 season, the Chinese Skating Association had already cancelled several events due to the country's stringent quarantine requirements – 21 days in isolation for non-residents – and limited flights in and out of the country. Among the cancelled events were the 2021 World Junior Championships and the 2020–21 Grand Prix Final.[4] Less than a month prior to the cancellation of the Four Continents Championships, the CSA cancelled the 2021 Cup of China.[5] Again citing "the complicated epidemic situation," the CSA and the Tianjin Municipal Government informed the ISU of the cancellation of Four Continents on September 13, 2021.[2]
The Four Continents Championships would have been the first ISU Championship event during the 2021–22 season to be cancelled, before being relocated to Tallinn. The ISU and various host federations had already cancelled or relocated several other events earlier in the season, including events on the Junior Grand Prix, Grand Prix, and Challenger Series. After the ISU was able to find a replacement host for the Cup of China, it again asked non-European ISU members to consider applying to host the Four Continents Championships on the originally scheduled dates.[6] After an unsuccessful search, Tallinn was chosen as the replacement host, having just hosted the 2022 European Championships one week prior.[3]
Due to the proximity of the Four Continents Championships, both in terms of geography and time, to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China's decision to cancel the event prompted further concerns about whether the Winter Olympics would be able to proceed as scheduled, and if so, be conducted in a safe manner.[7][8]
Skaters were eligible for the 2022 Four Continents Championships if they turned 15 years of age before July 1, 2021, and met the minimum technical elements score requirements. The ISU accepts scores if they were obtained at senior-level ISU-recognized international competitions during the ongoing season at least 21 days before the first official practice day of the championships or during the two preceding seasons.[9]
Member nations began announcing their selections in December 2021. The International Skating Union published a complete list of entries on December 29, 2021.
^"宮原知子が4大陸選手権欠場 体調不良が理由 代わりに横井ゆは菜が出場" [Satoko Miyahara misses the Four Continents Championships because of poor physical condition, Yuhana Yokoi participates instead]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). January 14, 2021.