WASHINGTON -- The war in Iraq hasn't deterred the world's top skaters from traveling to the nation's capital for the World Figure Skating Championships.

Event co-chairwoman Leslie Gianelli said Friday that she had received no cancellations from skaters over concerns about security.

"I frankly expected some," Gianelli said. "We've been on pins and needles. I've always been confident that we would have a competition, but the last two days have been stressful."

Many of the 200 skaters from some 50 countries arrived Thursday.

The first official practices at the MCI Center and the Washington Convention Center began at 6 a.m. Friday, with the first event in the weeklong competition set for Monday morning.

Defending world champion Irina Slutskaya of Russia withdrew from the competition because of her mother's kidney illness.

Gianelli said she was so anxious Friday she arrived at 5:15 a.m. to make sure everything was in order for the first skaters. She said her only security-related cancellations were from two Slovakian judges, who have since changed their minds and now plan to attend.

"We've been pro-active in letting them know that everything was fine," she said.

Many of the tight security measures already in place for NBA and NHL games will be implemented at the MCI Center for the skating competition. Spectators can bring bags no bigger than a purse to the arena.

The city is tense, with police officers working 12-hour shifts after the nation's terror alert was elevated to code orange. There also have been daily anti-war protests.

City officials have encouraged events to go on as scheduled, and there was never any indication that the skating wouldn't take place. The biggest event to be scratched is Sunday's D.C. Marathon, and that was done without city approval.

American skater Tim Goebel, the bronze medalist at last year's Olympics, had no concerns about coming to Washington. He said he is able to put world events out of his mind when he's on the ice.

"I'm the first one to turn on CNN when I get home, but when I'm at the rink it's just like anyone else going to work," Goebel said. "By the time we all get to the worlds, we're good at focusing on the task at hand."