SynchroNice / Fourth Edition / 2019

most recent years, however if the IOC witness a growth in Asian involvement, they will see a greater global de­ mand and interest in synchronized skating which would make our sport a more attractive proposition. Philippe added: “Seminars in Asia have been in plan and will be held in the next two seasons. “In a lot of Asian countries, they have Juvenile and Novice Teams, they are our future. “The participation of Asian countries to our Champion­ ships is one of the keys we have to take into consideration.” The key thing that needs to happen to reach our Olympic dream is to make synchro more attractive to the IOC. As well as the increase in Asian participation, the interna­ tional competition calendar needs to develop globally. An expansion to other continents could entice the IOC to reconsider their decision on our place in the Olympics. Mr. Maitrot said: “We need to expand our Competitions in all continents. To start one in North America and one in Asia.” An issue many countries face is the lack of funding that we receive. An increase in sponsorships would allow for a lot more adequate training globally. The reason the current teams dominating the podium are able to do so is due to the sponsors and money that is put into the sport. Other international teams would be able to progress much further within the sport if the right funding was in place to help cover the costs of training. As mentioned previously, the other factor to consider in our attempt to attract the IOC into adding synchronized figure skating into the Olympic games would be if there was a greater showcase of the sport. We must make significant changes to our sport over the forthcoming years, however the 2026 Olympic Games are not unachievable. NEVER GIVE UP As a synchro family we must never give up on our dream of the Olympic Games. The journey to the Olympics so far has faced plenty of rejections, but every rejection we face allows us to improve our sport, bringing us one step closer to gaining IOC acceptance. We shouldn’t give up. Darcie and Philippe shared their final thoughts and words of encouragement to never give up on our dream. Darcie said:“Synchro becoming an Olympic sport would bring recognition and validation to all the long hours we have all given and bringing excellence to the sport. “It would also acknowledge the athleticism of tens of thousands of athletes globally, and the coaching capabilities of the hardworking believers who support us. It would be a great win for the sport. “In every athlete there will always be a desire to compete on the Olympic stage. “Although it’s tough to say what will happen on the question of the Olympics, I will say I think it’s definitely an exciting possibility.” Mr. Maitrot said:“It will be difficult but not impossible. “I have to be confident. And honestly if we ALL work in the right direction, one day we will be at the Olympics.” The Olympics are evidently not an impossible goal and one that skaters should most definitely not give up on. There is only question left to ask... #WhyNotSynchro2026 WRITERS OPINION As an ex synchronized figure skater myself, the journey to the Olympics is a topic particularly close to my heart. In the next few years a lot needs to happen to make our Olympic dream become a reality, however I really do be­ lieve that in time we will make it to our final destination, the Olympic stage. I feel sometimes there is a miscon­ ception that all figure skaters just dance around on the ice and that there is no real hard work that goes into our sport. We all know that this is not the case. There is a high level of detail and intricacy that goes into every manoeuvre and element in a synchro routine and I think every team deserves to showcase their hard work on the Olympic stage. Funding is extremely limited for synchronized figure skating, particularly in the UK. When I was training for Team Aura of Great Britain, we had only one training session a week. As a team want­ ing to qualify for the World Championships, the minimal amount of weekly ice team dedicated to our training made this an extremely ambitious, and sometimes unachievable goal. The chance of Great Britain making it the Olympics I think are extremely slim at the moment. As much as I would love to see my country competing at the Olympics in synchronized figure skating, I think the lack of fund­ ing and ice time will make it extremely difficult to reach the Olympic stage at present. Realistically the prospect of qualifying for the World Championships is still quite daunting as there just isn’t the ice time to train, and I’m sure many other countries will be able to relate. I think individual countries need to be prepared to put the money in to get back out the results. If this is the case there is no reason that 2026 can’t be achieved by all, including Great Britain. The IOC will no doubt set a qualifying score, and while the best teams in the world may be able to achieve it, for the most it would currently be extremely difficult. Our sport needs to majorly adapt globally before we are ready to compete at Olympic level. I don’t think we are ready for the Olympics yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be. The prospect of synchronized figure skating reaching the Olympics makes me extremely excited for those that could possibly compete. With the right improvements made I don’t think we need to question if synchronized figure skating will make the Olympics. I think we need to question when. I hope the answer is 2026. Thanks Chloe, good luck as a Journalist.  SYNCHRO NICE 85