Harbin, China, July 20, 2026: The OCA is proud and honored to be back in Harbin for the Asian short track speed skating youth camp.
The camp, which has been organised in collaboration with the International Skating Union, opened on Monday, July 20 and will run until July 26.
The Director of OCA Family Relations and Development Programmes, Mr. Wissam Trkmani, addressed the opening ceremony on Monday and said it was always a delight to visit Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province in north-east China.
“It’s a real pleasure to be back in Harbin - a city that has become a true winter sports capital for Asia,” he said.
“Just last year, we saw that spirit shine at the 2025 Asian Winter Games, where the short track events gave us unforgettable moments of courage and speed. So, it feels especially meaningful to return here for this camp.”
Harbin has hosted two of the OCA’s nine Asian Winter Games to date – the third edition in 1996 and the ninth AWG in 2025.
The OCA-ISU Asian Short Track Speed Skating Youth Camp has attracted 35 athletes and 12 coaches from 14 National Olympic Committees and the OCA Director began his address at the opening ceremony by thanking all the partners and hosts who had made this camp possible.
“To the Harbin Municipal People’s Government, Harbin Municipal Bureau of Sports and the Foreign Affairs Office of Harbin Municipal People’s Government…your hospitality and hard work have been extraordinary.
“Also, to Chinese Olympic Committee and the Chinese Skating Association…thank you for your unwavering support and for trusting us with this vision.
“And, of course, a special thanks to our friends at the International Skating Union. This camp is the result of a wonderful collaboration that began last year, when we jointly ran the OCA‑ISU Asian Figure Skating Youth Camp - also here in Harbin.
“That camp was such a success - not only in terms of skills learned but also in the friendships and connections built across Asia - that we knew we had to do it again for short track.”
Asia is a powerhouse in Olympic short track speed skating and Mr. Trkmani said the young skaters here were at the start of an exciting journey.
“This camp is not a 10-day shortcut. It is about equipping each of you with practical tools, fresh perspectives and the confidence to go back to your home and make a real difference, because we all grow when we learn from each other,” he added.
