ISU

 The ISU Council met on June 9-11, 2023 and discussed the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) recommendations of March 28, 2023 for International Federations on the participation of athletes with a Russian or Belarussian passport in international competitions.

It is officially summer! While the sun is (hopefully) shining, the skaters keep cool on the ice as they delve into summer practice and training camps. However, some are enjoying their vacation or it’s show time for them.

Known for their creativity to explore new choreographic boundaries, the British Ice Dance couple Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson (GBR) also stands out by their outspoken support and allyship to the LGBTQI+ community.

Embark on the mesmerizing journey of Junhwan Cha, the Korean Figure Skater who won the silver medal at this year's ISU World Championships in Saitama (JPN). This video beautifully captures Junhwan's remarkable adventure, starting from the enchanting streets of Tokyo in search of cherry blossoms to the exhilarating world of competitive Figure Skating.

After a breakthrough debut year, Merijn Scheperkamp (NED) blitzed to the international sprint elite in his second season at senior level. With the ISU European Sprint title in Hamar (NOR), the 22-year-old Dutchman won his career first major international title.

After suffering a cruel injury in a training accident just before the 2021 ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Dordrecht (NED), Anna Seidel (GER) found herself questioning her future in the sport.

The International Skating Union (ISU) is pleased to announce that the International Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance Competitions for the season 2023/24 have been published.

The International Skating Union (ISU) is pleased to announce that the International Synchronized Skating Competitions for the season 2023/24 have been published.

Immerse yourself in the electrifying atmosphere of the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships as Team Haydenettes (USA) prepare to showcase their skills on the grand stage.

The off-season does not mean that the Skaters are just on vacation. Besides summer training and making new programs, there are a lot of things going on in the skating world. Let’s see what has happened in the past few weeks.

The Speed Skating community sadly lost an Olympic champion. On Saturday, May 20 2023, Richard “Terry” McDermott (USA) passed away at age 82. McDermott won 500m gold at the 1964 Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck (AUT), and was inducted into the US Speed Skating Hall of Fame in 1977. Terry is also famous for his television appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show during which the Beatles pop band was also invited.

Emily Chan and Spencer Akira Howe, American Pair Skaters with Asian heritage, praise Figure Skating for being a safe space for inclusion.

This video takes you behind the scenes, providing a glimpse into the intense preparation and the deep emotional connection that Sara and Niccolo share. It unveils the untold stories of their triumphs and setbacks, shedding light on overcoming grief during the tumultuous times of the pandemic and indomitable spirit that have carried them to this groundbreaking moment.

It is with great sadness that the International Skating Union (ISU) learned of the passing of the famous Dutch Speed Skating coach Leen Pfrommer,  who died at the age of 87 in Utrecht in the Netherlands. Pfrommer was passionate about Speed Skating and coached several generations of top Dutch skaters, including Ard Schenk (NED), the prolific athlete who won three gold medals at the 1972 Olympic Winter Games in Sapporo (JPN).

It was a Short Track season with more than ever at stake, as the ISU announced the introduction of the brand-new Crystal Globe trophies for the season’s best skaters.