ISU European Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating Championships 2021 change dates and Speed Skating Hub concept approved

Lausanne, Switzerland

#SpeedSkating      #ShortTrackSkating

ISU European Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating Championships 2021

The ISU Council decided to move the following Championships one week later than originally scheduled:

  • ISU European Speed Skating Championships in Heerenveen, NED, January 16-17, 2021

  • ISU European Short Track Championships in Gdansk, POL, January 22-24, 2021

Moving these Championships further away from the Christmas period would facilitate preparations for the Championships both for the hosting Member and the participating Members.

ISU World Cup Speed Skating Events/ISU European Speed Skating Championships & Hub Concept

The ISU Council appointed a Working Group to elaborate and assess the possibility of holding a Hub concept in the Netherlands as an alternative to hosting ISU World Cup Speed Skating Events that were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although it was decided back in September 2020, that the implementation of the Hub Concept for ISU World Cup Speed Skating Competitions during the month of November and early December 2020 was premature, the Council concluded that in principle the Hub Concept is a valid option to achieve the objective to give Skaters the best possible opportunities to compete internationally provided that the health and safety of the participants can reasonably be ensured.

The option to hold a Hub Concept in early 2021 was evaluated and the Council decided it would be feasible to do so. As the ISU European Speed Skating Championships 2021 will be held in Heerenveen (NED), and the organizing Member is able and ready to implement the Hub concept, the Championships will be followed by two subsequent ISU World Cup Speed Skating competitions.

Further information will be issued including on competition matters, the format, distances and logistics at a later date.

Cancelled ISU Events

Considering the pandemic developments and related impact on the organizers and participants of ISU Events, the ISU Council decided to cancel the following ISU Events:

  • 2021 ISU World Junior Short Track Championships in Salt Lake City (USA)

  • 2021 ISU Junior World Cup Speed Skating in Collalbo (ITA)

All other ISU Events for the 2020/21 season remain scheduled as indicated in the ISU calendar of Events, the Council will review the situation and take the necessary decisions during its next meeting, tentatively scheduled for December 10, 2020.