Harbin, China, July 28, 2026: The First Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Mr. Timothy Fok, assured participants at the 2026 OCA-ISU Asian Figure Skating Youth Camp of the OCA’s long-term commitment to developing winter sports.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the youth camp on Tuesday, July 28, Mr. Fok said the OCA would be signing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding with the International Skating Union and Harbin Municipal Government later in the day.
“This agreement will formalize our shared commitment to ensure continuity, stability and a clear development pathway for our young skaters across Asia,” he said.
“I want to thank both the ISU and the City of Harbin for their vision and their willingness to invest in the long-term future of Asian figure skating. This is not just a piece of paper; it is a promise to every young skater in this room and beyond.”
Mr. Fok spoke of the special relationship between the OCA and the city of Harbin – a hotbed of winter sports in Heilongjiang province in north-east China.
“Harbin has become something of a second home for Asian winter sport,” he said.
“Last year, we witnessed the passion and excellence of the 2025 Asian Winter Games. Last week, we successfully held the Asian Short Track Speed Skating Youth Camp here - also a joint effort between the OCA, ISU and Harbin City - and today we return for the second edition of our figure skating camp, building on the success of last year's programme.
“This continuity tells me one thing clearly: we are serious about development; we are serious about Asia's young athletes, and we are serious about building lasting partnerships.”
Mr. Fok added that the youth camp, which will run until August 3, was not only about learning the technical skills of figure skating but also about creating connections across cultures, languages and borders.
“Figure skating is a sport that demands grace, discipline and courage. It also demands patience. Excellence is not built overnight - it is built session by session, season by season. The same is true of Asian sport. This camp is one step in a longer journey, and I am proud to see all of you taking that step together,” he concluded.
