Opening Ceremony of the ISU Center of Excellence (CoE) Training Camp for Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating in Beijing, China. @ China Winter Sports Administration Center
As part of its Development initiatives, the International Skating Union (ISU) proudly supported the launch of a Center of Excellence (CoE) Training Camp dedicated to promising young Speed and Short Track Skaters, who will be benefiting from an intensive one-week coaching program at the prestigious National Speed Skating Oval (the “Ice Ribbon”) in Beijing (CHN). On this occasion, a special Opening Ceremony took place on August 22 attended by the ISU President Jae Youl Kim and the newly appointed ISU Director General Colin Smith.
Opening Ceremony of the ISU Center of Excellence (CoE) Training Camp at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China. @ China Winter Sports Administration Center
Nearly 40 athletes from eight countries and regions - including Australia, Hong Kong China, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and China – are participating to this unique training experience.
The Ceremony started with a presentation of all participating skaters displaying their respective national flags and sliding around the immense Oval rink – the largest Speed Skating facility in Asia. This venue also bears a highly symbolic importance for ice skating sports since it hosted the 2022 Olympic Winter Games competitions for both Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating.
Presentation of skaters participating at the ISU Center of Excellence (CoE) Training Camp at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China. @ China Winter Sports Administration Center
The skaters were in turn warmly welcomed by the ISU President, Jae Youl Kim, and the recently appointed ISU Director General, Colin Smith, who honored the event with their presence.
ISU President Jae Youl Kim giving a speech for the launch of the ISU Center of Excellence (CoE) Training Camp at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China. @ China Winter Sports Administration Center
They were joined by the President of the Chinese Skating Association, Li Yan, as well as the Operations Manager of the Beijing National Speed Skating Oval, Jin Yan. Jildou Gemser, Chairman of the ISU Development Committee, sent her encouragements through a video message. The Ceremony ended with various training demonstrations on ice and exchanges between the skaters and the guests.
Training sessions demonstrations for the launch of the ISU Center of Excellence (CoE) Training Camp at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China. @ China Winter Sports Administration Center
During a full week, the Camp participants will have the privilege to be supervised and advised by a highly experienced coaching team composed of former professionals and champions in the Speed Skating and Short Track Skating disciplines, with among others Sun Dandan, Lin Meng, Yu Yongiun, Xiong Zheng and Wang Guodong.
Exchanges between skaters and ISU Representatives during the launch of the ISU Center of Excellence (CoE) Training Camp at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China. @ China Winter Sports Administration Center
Besides technical training sessions on ice and workouts on land, a range of activities will be organized outside the venue, including a meeting with the Chinese Short Track Speed Skating national team and a visit of the National Stadium “Bird’s Nest”. These off-ice activities are viewed as opportunities to create productive exchanges between cultures and sports shaping a new generation of athletes.
Official group picture for the launch of the ISU Center of Excellence (CoE) Training Camp at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, China. @ China Winter Sports Administration Center
Further information about this Camp can be found here.
The ISU Centers of Excellence (CoE)
The ISU CoE acts as a quality label awarded periodically to selected skating entities based on the quality of their facilities as well as the performance and development-oriented initiatives implemented. As of today, there are 11 CoEs forming a worldwide hub that engages Skaters, Coaches, Officials and experts from the skating community for the fulfillment of training and development goals.
The International Skating Union (ISU) supports the funding and facilitation of the Centers of Excellence as part of its Development Program that aims at promoting, expanding and popularizing skating activities across the world and generations.
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