Harbin, China, August 3, 2026: The 2026 OCA-ISU Asian Figure Skating Youth Camp was described as a “high-level international exchange platform” at the closing ceremony in Harbin on Monday, August 3.
Addressing the 39 athletes and 15 coaches from 15 National Olympic Committees, Bai Zhiguo, Director of the Harbin Municipal Sports Bureau, congratulated all participants for contributing to a successful training camp.
“On behalf of the Harbin Municipal Sports Bureau, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to the young athletes from various countries who have successfully completed all the training courses and graduated from the camp,” the sports bureau official said.
“I also wish to express our sincere gratitude to the distinguished guests and expert lecturers from the Olympic Council of Asia and the International Skating Union for traveling here to join us. My heartfelt thanks go as well to the coaches and all the support staff for their diligent work throughout the camp.”
Bai Zhiguo said the camp, which opened on July 28, had brought together emerging young figure skaters from across Asia.
“You trained together, learned from one another and poured your efforts into refining your techniques on the ice, while also exchanging training philosophies and sharing competitive experiences.
“Off the ice, young participants deepened their mutual understanding and forged friendships, fully demonstrating the energetic and aspiring spirit of Asian youth in winter sports.
“This training camp has provided a high-level international exchange platform. It has not only helped young skaters consolidate their technical skills and broaden their international perspectives but has also strengthened winter sports exchanges and cooperation among Asian nations, injecting new vitality into the cultivation of future figure skating talents in Asia.”
The sports bureau official urged the young skaters to “stay devoted to your passion, train hard, continue to surpass yourselves and shine brightly on the competition stage”.
Bai concluded: “I also hope that you will carry on the bonds of ice and snow friendship, deepen exchanges and work together to propel Asian figure skating to ever greater heights.”
The camp was officially declared closed by the Deputy Mayor of the Harbin Municipal People’s Government, Madam Zhang Haihua.
The OCA thanks the Harbin Municipal People’s Government and Sports Bureau for their outstanding support and firm commitment to the project, and looks forward to another fruitful partnership when the short track/figure skating youth camp takes place in 2027 following the signing of the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the OCA, ISU and Harbin city for 2026-27 at the start of the figure skating camp on July 28.
