ISU Congress - Las Vegas, NV, USA - June 2024

[Elizabeth]

The ISU has released the full 126 page document including the Congress Agenda and the various proposed changes: https://isu.org/figure-skating/rules/fs ... -2629/file

Much of the discussion about the proposed changes on focused on those pertaining to Pairs. This discipline does not have its own Technical Committee, unlike Ice Dance, and there have been some complaints about the "general Technical Committee" proposals, along with a proposal to add a Pairs Technical Committee.

Here's a link to some additional information/discussion about the proposed Pairs changes: https://anythinggoe.com/isu-congress-to ... for-pairs/

[Elizabeth]

The 2024 Congress promises to set a milestone for a transformative phase ahead with the ISU Vision 2030 taking center stage. Adopted by the Council in 2023, this strategic roadmap will bring to the delegates’ table a series of concrete action plans to be discussed for implementation purposes. In an era of rapid technological advancements and shifting consumer behaviors, this program aims at modernizing the ISU at multiple levels – event formats, branding & promotion, broadcasting, fan engagement, innovation and sustainability – while sustaining a strong commitment to the ISU’s legacy and core values of fairness, openness, clean sport and safeguarding.

Find out more here: https://isu.org/inside-isu/rules-regula ... congresses

... A summary of the program:

June 8-9: Council Meetings & Technical Committee Meetings

June 10: Opening of the Congress / Branches Workshops

June 11-13: Full Congress / Figure Skating and Speed Skating Branch Sessions

June 14: Full Congress and Closing Session

Where to Watch

The 59th Ordinary ISU Congress will be available as a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Further details will be provided in due course.

A link to the agenda: https://isu.org/inside-isu/isu-communic ... -2629/file

[Elizabeth]

The YouTube playlist and links for each of the sessions next week can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... ir0SLeKjTa

[Elizabeth]

Press release on Day 1 of the Congress: https://www.isu.org/isu-news/news/145-n ... teParam=15
Go to the link to see all the photos & video links.

11 June 2024

The 59th ISU Congress opened today setting the stage for an ambitious and forward-looking agenda, expected to decisively shape the future of ice-skating sports. At the forefront of this inaugural day was the presentation by the ISU President, Jae Youl Kim, on the ISU Vision 2030 strategic plan, outlining major growth and innovation proposals to the 250 delegates from 65 countries present. The ISU Congress overwhelmingly voted in favor of the budget for 2024-2026, showing its support for Vision 2030 initiatives and marking the start of an exciting and game-changing future.

In his opening speech, Kim immediately set the tone for a transformative era ahead: “The world is changing, and we must all be open to it. The Vision 2030 builds on these changes and articulates concrete long-term solutions to improve, innovate and engage. Our objective is to increase capabilities to better serve our athletes, Members and fans and make the necessary investments to unlock the full potential of our sport. Together, we are embracing an athlete-first, Member-focused and fan-centric approach to propel our sport to the future.”

Elected in 2022, as part of his manifesto, Kim promised to develop a comprehensive long-term program: ISU Vision 2030. He showcased the advancements made so far and shared future initiatives to modernize the organization and elevate ice-skating sports to meet the demands of rapidly changing sports consumption behaviors and media landscape. The significant steps on the five priority areas of Growth, Opportunity, Innovation, Safeguarding and Unity include:



Growth & Innovation:

• Introduce new and consistent event formats and presentations, such as the ISU Short Track World Tour, to enhance the spectator experience in a dynamic, entertaining and immersive way with the objective of attracting new and younger audiences.
• Upgrade branding and broadcasting approaches to create more appealing fan and sponsorship packages.
• Open more partnership opportunities for athletes and Members.
• Develop a new unified digital ecosystem offering a tailored user experience focusing on fan engagement.
• Revenue diversification by establishing a wealth management working group aimed at crafting alternative investment strategies.

Safeguarding, Development & Unity:

• Implement protective and supportive measures aligned with the ISU Safeguarding policy to protect and promote athletes’ physical and mental well-being, on and off the ice, and ensure clean and safe competitions.
• Devise more extensive sustainable practices from event management to facility operations in accordance with the ISU Sustainability Strategy.
• Foster development programs for greater accessibility and inclusiveness.
• Increase engagement with Members, athletes and fans through dedicated digital channels to build deeper connections.
• Improve and streamline governance through constitutional reform and rules simplification.

While ISU Director General Colin Smith guided delegates through action-oriented strategies in the Growth and Innovation areas, Safeguarding was highlighted by two special guest speakers:

Kirsty Burrows, Head of the IOC Safe Sport Unit:

During her opening remarks, Kirsty Burrows said: “I would like to thank the ISU not only for inviting me here to speak on such important topics, but also for centralizing safeguarding, mental health and well-being of athletes in your Vision 2030. I really commend this excellent effort from the ISU”.

Gracie Gold, two-time U.S. champion and Olympic bronze medalist in Figure Skating:

In a keynote stage interview moderated by U.S. Figure Skating senior communications advisor Barbara Reichert, Gracie Gold transparently discussed the immense pressures and mental health struggles she underwent as an elite Figure Skater and what more can be done to support young athletes dealing with mental health challenges. Having recently published her Memoir “OutofShapeWorthlessLoser”, the New York Times Bestselling Author said: "Mental health is as important as physical health and should be taken just as seriously. For the younger generation, being educated about mental health and how it could manifest, particularly the effects after you leave a sport, can be a very big thing.”

Concluding on this top priority topic, the ISU President stated: “Today also reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding. We express our gratitude particularly to Gracie Gold for sharing her story and shining a light on this critical issue. Safeguarding is a key pillar of our ISU Vision 2030, and we are committed to further enhancing the measures in place across the sport to better protect and promote athletes’ physical and mental well-being. Together, we must do everything possible to make our sport safe, clean, fair and sustainable.”

The ISU proposed a 20% increase in annual Member contribution to assist Members in developing and implementing athlete safeguarding initiatives in their own countries, an initiative accepted by the Congress via the budget approval.

Further to the delegates’ energetic support for these transformative initiatives, the Congress will continue its deliberations over the coming three days with in-depth discussions and workshops aimed at driving the evolution of ice-skating disciplines.

[Elizabeth]

The press release on Day 2 of the Congress: https://isu.org/isu-news/news/145-news/ ... teParam=15
The full release includes video of some presentations.

An extract:

ISU Constitution reform

In a bid to enhance greater rules clarity, consistency and governance flexibility, the ISU Congress approved a resolution to reform the ISU Constitution and General Regulations – the results will be presented at an Extraordinary Congress to be held in 2025. “A Drafting Committee and Member Consultation Group will be appointed to run and oversee the revision process, ensuring that all ISU Members’ perspectives are reflected. The approval of this modernization project is a significant step forward for the ISU, and we look forward to a collaborative and open approach to that end.” stated the ISU President, Jae Youl Kim.

Overview of the approved Proposals
A total of 75 proposals and Urgent Matters were presented and debated during the plenary session. 38 proposals were accepted, 18 rejected, one postponed and the others were withdrawn.

Below is a summary of the proposals that the delegates voted in favor of:

• Proposal 1: resolution to modernize the ISU Constitution
• Urgent Proposal 1: change of the ISU financial year to run from July to June to be in line with the Ice Skating season.
• Proposal 4 & 17: allowing the ISU to propose alternative investment strategies and corresponding criteria and guidelines aiming for better return on investments.
• Proposal 7 & 8: enabling ISU Members unable to attend an ISU Congress in person to provide them with the possibility to attend the Congress virtually and vote on agenda proposals electronically.
• Proposal 9: to clarify the term limits of elected Office Holders and to more accurately reflect the decisions of the Congress voted on back in 2012.
• Proposal 15 & 28: confirming that the Athlete Commission Chair is a member of the ISU Council, and if the Chair cannot attend the ISU Council meeting, another Athlete Commission member can substitute the Chair in order to represent the interests of the Athletes.
• Proposal 19 & 20: reduce the risk of vacancies in appointed positions within Technical Committees by allowing one of the appointed positions to exceptionally be filled by a person with specific qualifications that are obviously relevant to the tasks of the Committee.
• Proposal 25 & 27 & 36: have consistent dates for anything relating to the ice skating season.
• Urgent Proposal 6: ensure that the most experienced candidates can be selected on the OAC list. Clarification of the definition of national bias as a consequence of a recent decision of the Disciplinary Commission.
• Proposal 26: the appointed coach to be the only Technical Committee positions, elected or appointed without a term limitation.
• Proposal 33: enable the Council to schedule an urgent meeting on 48-hours' notice to address and take decisions on urgent matters.
• Proposal 34 & 46 & 54 & 57 & 58 & 62 & 64: clarifications and drafting matters.
• Proposal 35: following the acceptance of the budget for seasons 2024-2026, this proposal is for the implementation of the Short Track World Tour.
• Proposal 38: apply the same trademark rules on Speed Skating helmets than the one used on racing suit caps.
• Proposal 39: if the ISU secures a sponsor agreement, the ISU will cancel the release of the front part of the helmet with a minimum of 30 days’ notice.
• Proposal 40: Clarify what information ISU Members shall publish on their website on the most critical results from their Skaters.
• Proposal 42: harmonization of terminology.
• Proposals 43: Limit age classification to 11-12 years old for the Junior D category in Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating international competitions for health protection purposes
• Proposal 45: have a maximum age gap of 7 years between the two partners in Pairs Skating and Ice Dance.
• Proposal 53: establishing the Junior World Cup in Short Track.
• Proposal 56: clarify the time limits for filing protests in Speed Skating and Short Track.
• Proposal 59: defining the number of medals awarded for Team events in Speed Skating and Short Track.
• Proposal 60 & 61: streamlining medal ceremonies in Synchronized Skating and removing the Referees and Assistant Referees or Technical Controller as part of the ceremony.
• Proposal 63: Providing more flexibility to award ceremonies in Speed Skating and Short Track Organizing Committees.

Some of the original proposals with withdrawn in order that they might be incorporated into the Constitution review.

[Elizabeth]

Big news coming out of the Figure Skating Branch meeting today - the Qualifying Rounds which were supposed to return to the World Championships commencing in Boston 2025 had been voted out (including for 2025). The decision to bring them back was made just two years ago.

[Elizabeth]

After much debate plus some consultation over lunch, this decision was made by the ISU Council:


Subsequently, the Figure Skating Branch at the ISU Congress decided to postpone the implementation of package 234-246 (other than 236, 237, and 243) until the 2026/27 (post Olympic) season.
This means the new choreographic elements and reduced number of jumps will not come in until the new Olympic cycle. Backflips and other somersault type jumps are now legal (r. 236)
The vote was quite close but, as specified by the Council, only a simple majority was required.

Accepted starting in the 2026-27 season:

• 234 - Euler unlisted jump w/ no BV
• 235 - Euler allowed in jump sequence. Only 2 jumps allowed in pairs jump sequence.
• 239 - Singles FS jumping passes reduced to 6. Replace one leveled spin with choreo spin
• 240 - Singles FS combo/sequence reduced to 2
• 241 - Same type of jump not included more than 3 times in the singles FS
• 245 - Pairs FS - Replace a leveled lift with choreo lift (seniors). Replace leveled pair spin with choreo pair spin. Remove ChSq.

[Elizabeth]

The ISU Press release on the events of days 3 and 4 of the Congress: https://www.isu.org/isu-news/news/145-n ... teParam=15

There was an online press conference late yesterday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJG9tA1IGsw

Today will be the ratification of decisions and closing session - to watch live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehMlZvb5g_E

[Elizabeth]

The final press release from the Congress after their 5 day meeting: https://www.isu.org/isu-news/news/145-n ... teParam=15

The final comments from the President:

Closing the ISU Congress, ISU President Jae-Youl Kim addressed Delegates: “Thank you very much for your great energy and constructive engagement over the last five days. What a great success. Your enthusiasm for our Vision 2030 and the related priorities are greatly appreciated and will enable us to reach our goals, including attracting more fans worldwide, making our sport more relevant to the new generations, and bringing in new expertise and innovative approaches to commercial growth and event delivery. Together we can go further.”