ISU President Jae Youl Kim officially opens the 60th Ordinary ISU Congress - 09:30 (WEST)

The 60th Ordinary ISU Congress is officially underway in Tenerife, Spain, bringing together 88 ISU Members from across the skating world. Welcoming delegates, ISU President Jae Youl Kim thanked Members for their continued support and highlighted the progress made since the Extraordinary Congress in Lausanne in 2025.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry addresses Congress - 09:45 (WEST)

Delegates received a special video message from IOC President Kirsty Coventry during the opening session of the 60th Ordinary ISU Congress: 

President's Report: Vision 2030 driving transformation across the ISU - 09:48 (WEST)

Opening his report, ISU President Jae Youl Kim reflected on the feedback Members provided four years ago and how it shaped the Vision 2030 strategy. Built around the pillars of Growth, Opportunity, Innovation, Safeguarding and Unity, the strategy has guided the ISU's work to modernize the sport and strengthen its future.

ISU President, Jae Youl Kim, stated: "At the last Ordinary Congress, in Las Vegas in 2024, we agreed upon our Vision 2030 with the GO ISU pillars: Growth, Opportunity, Innovation, Safeguarding and Unity. We began our courageous transformation journey confidently and together." 

President's Report: Four years of transformation deliver significant progress for skating - 09:50 (WEST)

ISU President Jae Youl Kim reflected on the progress made since taking office in 2022, highlighting the transformation driven by the Vision 2030 strategy. He pointed to major achievements across governance, event presentation, digital engagement, athlete recognition, safeguarding and development, while emphasizing that the modernization of the ISU's Constitution and governance framework marked a significant milestone in the past four years.

ISU President stated: "Everyone involved at the ISU has worked diligently and with ambition throughout the last four years to deliver on those promises, and the progress has been significant."

President's Report: Investing in world-class events and broadcast innovation - 10:00 (WEST)

Under the Growth pillar of Vision 2030, the ISU has transformed the presentation of its events to create more engaging experiences for fans in arenas, on television and across digital platforms. Investments in athlete storytelling, upgraded graphics, enhanced broadcast production, new camera technologies and venue presentation have helped elevate skating's profile on the global stage.

The ISU introduced LED screen technology for the first time at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Grenoble, France, in December 2024, before progressively expanding its use across selected key ISU events. During the Olympic season, LED screens were also integrated into the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, enhancing the presentation of skating on the sport’s biggest stage and creating a more immersive experience for athletes, fans, broadcasters, and commercial partners alike.

ISU President stated: "We want skating to be presented at its very best, not only for our skaters and our fans, but also for  commercial partners and media."

Investment in event presentation earning industry recognition - 10:10 (WEST)

NBC Sports and the IOC also praised the enhanced presentation of skating events during the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. 

Gary Zenkel, NBC Sports President said: "We at NBC applaud the ISU's innovative thinking, including upgrades to sports presentation such as the LED screens and athlete introductions. This adds to the spectacle and provides a 'big event' feel that helps elevate the experience for athletes, spectators, and our television and streaming audiences."

New initiatives strengthen trust and understanding in officiating - 10:15 (WEST)

The ISU has introduced a range of innovations designed to improve transparency and help fans better understand officiating decisions. These include live video review feeds, referee announcements and the Referee Liaison System, which provides broadcasters with additional information to explain decisions during competition.

Following their successful introduction at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, several of these initiatives will now be implemented across future ISU Short Track events.

ISU President stated: "This allowed viewers at home and spectators in the venue to see the same footage being reviewed by the referees."

Short Track World Tour continues rapid growth - 10:12 (WEST)

Launched following the 2024 ISU Congress, the ISU Short Track World Tour has quickly established itself as one of the sport's most successful new initiatives. Participation increased from 29 teams in its inaugural season to 41 teams last season, reflecting growing interest from athletes, Members and fans.

The ISU plans to continue expanding the Tour in the coming years to meet growing demand and further strengthen the global profile of Short Track.

ISU President stated: "The popularity of the Short Track World Tour has turbocharged the sport."

ISU strengthened athlete welfare and safeguarding initiatives - 10:15 (WEST)

ISU President Jae Youl Kim highlighted the significant progress made in Safeguarding. 

Over the past Olympic cycle, the ISU introduced the ISU Calm Zone programme, providing athletes with a dedicated space to reset, recharge and prepare mentally during intense competition times. The initiative was implemented at 14 ISU events last season, with around half of all competing athletes making use of the facility.

Recognising the growing challenges athletes face online, the ISU also launched Arwen, an AI-supported monitoring and moderation platform designed to help protect skaters from abuse and harassment on social media.