SynchroNice / Fourth Edition / 2019

Another disappointing Summer for the Synchronized skating community. While many Synchronized Skating fans had their hopes up high for Synchronized Skating to be included in the Olympics, the IOC unfortunately decided otherwise. Many stories and reasons why found their way onto the Internet and Social Media. SynchroNice magazine likes to stick to the facts and who better to ask than the ISU president Mr. Jan Dijkema for an explanation. First of all, Mr. Dijkema, we would like to thank you very much for taking the time to answer our questions; we really appreciated it. As we have all heard the IOC decided against the inclusion of Synchronized Skating for the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2022. One of the main reasons is that Synchronized skating is not spread across the world widely enough. Could you please tell us whether the ISU is actively trying to promote and introduce Synchronized Skating in Continents where it’s unknown? First of all, it is good to mention that the ISU sub­ mitted the application to include Synchronized Skating in the Olympic program for Beijing 2022. The main challenges the application faced, were the universality of the discipline, the media and broadcast impact and, last but not least, the addi­ tion of a substantial number of athletes. The IOC’s policy aims to reduce the total number of athletes at the Olympic Winter Games and to reduce the overall size of the Games in line with the Olympic Charter framework and Olympic Agenda 2020. There will be fewer athletes in total in Beijing compared to PyeongChang. Secondly, the ISU is working continuously to further promote and develop the ISU disciplines including Synchronized Skating. According to current statis­ tics, there are 25 ISU Members with Synchronized Skating Teams competing Nationally. A successful tool is the ISU Development Program. The program aims to increase the quantity and quality of Skaters, Coaches and Officials worldwide and to increase the number of ISU Members able to develop Skaters who are competitive at ISU Events (and the Olympic Winter Games). ISUMem­ bers can submit project proposals for Synchronized Skating and apply for support. Additionally, we also have for example the annual ISU World Wide development Seminar for Synchro­ nized Skating and the ISU scholarship program that supports selected Junior teams and their coaches by providing mentorship with a World level Coach from a leading country. We are also exploring possibilities for an ISU Challenger Synchronized Skating Series with selected competitions in Europe, Asia and North America. Is it important to the ISU or even more, would the ISU benefit in any way if Synchronized Skating was included in the Winter Olympics? Yes, of course. Synchronized Skating is a dynamic, young and attractive Figure Skating Team discipline that is part of the ISU Figure Skating Branch. The growth in popularity of this discipline among younger age groups has shown the rapid rise in popularity and participation among young people within the ISU Member Federations spread over four continents. I attended several ISU Events, such as the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Sweden last year. The discipline showcases fast and dynamic, physically and technically demanding programs that have a very different appearance to the challenging programs shown in the traditional ISU Figure Skating disciplines. Inclusion in the Olympic Winter Games would have a hugely positive impact on our discipline with regards to bringing a significant increase to the number of fans, skaters and Countries developing this Figure Skating discipline. Being part of the Olympic Movement, the National Organizing Committees and governments would make funding available to support the growth and Jan Dijkema Archive photo: Worlds 2018 SYNCHRO NICE 113