Geneva, Switzerland, October 23, 2019: At its meeting on October 11-12, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland, the International Skating Union Council has approved the ISU Centers of Excellence (CoE) concept and next step strategies.
The ISU CoE combines activities in key development areas. It is a hub where the education of coaches and officials, along with the training of talented skaters and various seminars, webinars and workshops take place; it is where skaters, coaches and officials have access to high-quality experts, services and sufficient on-and off-ice facilities.
Entities that fulfil and excel in those criteria and activities receive an ISU CoE label for the quality of services and facilities offered to skaters, coaches and officials from ISU Members.
The ISU CoE enters a Pilot Phase for a two-year period (2020 and 2021). Based on the responses to the ISU CoE survey and further information collected, nine entities have been selected to participate in the Pilot Phase.
By the end of the year 2021, an application and implementation process for a four-year phase of the ISU CoE will be put in place, with the aim to serve the development of skating sports around the world. This will be a process open to all interested ice skating entities all over the globe.
The selected entities for the ISU CoE Pilot Phase are:
Speed Skating and Short Track: Calgary, Canada; Heerenveen, the Netherlands; Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.
Figure Skating: Detroit, USA; Bergamo, Italy; Oberstdorf, Germany; IWIS International Training Centre in Bangkok, Thailand - Single &Pairs Skating, Ice Dance; Champery, Switzerland.
Note: ISU CoE that will be established in Beijing, China covers both branches and has a unique status as part of the Beijing 2022 legacy plans.
Source: www.isu.org