SafekipediaInternational Skating Union
Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience
The International Skating Union (ISU) is the international governing body for competitive ice skating disciplines, including figure skating, synchronized skating, speed skating, and short track speed skating. It was founded in Scheveningen, Netherlands, in July 1892, making it one of the oldest international sport federations. The ISU was created to set clear rules for skating competitions around the world and to organize events where skaters from many countries can compete fairly. Today, the ISU is based in Switzerland and continues to oversee the sport, helping to make sure everyone plays by the same rules.
History
The International Skating Union (ISU) was created in 1892 in Scheveningen, a seaside town in the Netherlands. It started with representatives from several countries who wanted to create fair rules for ice skating. The ISU was the first group to manage international speed skating and figure skating competitions.
Over the years, the ISU grew as more countries joined. It held its first big skating competition in 1896. In 1924, skating events were part of the first Winter Olympic Games in Chamonix. New types of skating, like short track speed skating and synchronized skating, were added later. Today, the ISU continues to organize important skating competitions around the world.
ISU Members
The International Skating Union has members from many countries around the world. These members help make sure that rules for skating sports are the same everywhere.
There are members from four continents outside of Europe and from European countries. This helps skating stay fair and organized globally.
Regions
Here is a list of countries and organizations that are members of the ISU, grouped into five zones. Some nations have more than one organization that is a member.
| Year of Membership Africa: Asia:  China - 1956/1956 Hong Kong - 1983 Indonesia - 2013 India - 2003 Japan - 1926 Kazakhstan - 1992 Kuwait - 2022 Kyrgyzstan - 2014 South Korea - 1948 Malaysia - 2009 Mongolia - 1960 Philippines - 2004 North Korea - 1957 Qatar - 2014 Singapore - 2008 Thailand - 1988 Turkmenistan - 2019 Chinese Taipei - 1983 United Arab Emirates - 2013 Uzbekistan - 1992 Vietnam - 2019Oceania:  Australia - 1932/1957 New Zealand - 1964/1983Americas: | Europe:  Andorra - 1995 Armenia - 1994 Austria - 1995 Azerbaijan - 1993 Belgium - 1979/1979 Bosnia and Herzegovina - 1994 Belarus - 1992 Bulgaria - 1967 Croatia - 1992 Cyprus - 1995 Czech Republic - 1923/1991 Denmark - 1913 Spain - 1956 Estonia - 1928 Finland - 1908/1960 France - 1908 Great Britain - 1892 Georgia - 1992 Germany - 1950/1950 Greece - 2015 Hungary - 1908 Ireland - 2008 Iceland - 2000 Israel - 1992 Italy - 1927 Latvia - 1926 Liechtenstein - 2014 Lithuania - 1980/1980 Luxembourg - 1971/1996 Moldova - 2014 North Macedonia - 2017 Monaco - 2003 Netherlands - 1892 Norway - 1894 Poland - 1925/1987 Portugal - 2021 Romania - 1933 Russia - 1896 Slovenia - 1992 Serbia - 2006 Switzerland - 1896/1911 Slovakia - 1993/1998 Sweden - 1892/1905/1946 Turkey - 1990 Ukraine - 1992/1992 |
ISU Championships
The International Skating Union holds special competitions each year called "ISU Championships." These include many exciting events for different types of skating.
Some of these championships are for experienced skaters who have been competing for many years. There are also important Olympic events, though they are not called ISU Championships. Still, doing well in these events helps skaters set new personal best scores.
| Long track speed skating World Single Distances Speed Skating Championships (1996–, held only in non-Olympic years, except for in 1998) Asian Speed Skating Championships (1999–2014) North American and Oceania Speed Skating Championships (1999–2014) Wereldkampioenschap schaatsen allround kwalificatie (Noord-Amerika & Oceanië) | Figure skating Asian Figure Skating Championships (1912–1998) North American and Oceania Figure Skating Championships (1912–1998) |
| Short track speed skating Asian Distance Speed Skating Championships (1994-2015) Asian Short Track Speed Skating Championships (2007-2014) ? Asian Short Track Speed Skating Trophy (2019-) ? | Synchronized skating |
ISU Cups and Grand Prixs
The International Skating Union organizes several important competitions for skaters around the world. These include the ISU Speed Skating World Cup, which started in 1985, and the ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup, running from 1998 to 2024. In 2025, the ISU Short Track World Tour began. For figure skaters, there is the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, started in 1995, and the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating, which began in 1997.
First world championships
The International Skating Union held its first world championships in different skating disciplines over many years. These events brought together skaters from around the world to compete in sports like speed skating, figure skating, and more. The first competitions took place in cities such as Amsterdam, St. Petersburg, and Davos, with more events added later in places like Stockholm, Paris, and West Allis, Wisconsin.
Medals (Figure Skating)
The International Skating Union gives out medals to skaters who do very well in different parts of their competitions.
In events like single skating, pair skating, and synchronized skating, there are two main parts: the short program and the free skating program. The short program was added in 1973 for single skating and later for pair skating. Synchronized skating always has both parts.
Small medals are given out for doing the best in either the short program or the free skating program. These small medals are only given at special ISU Championships, like the World Figure Skating Championships and the European Figure Skating Championships. They are not given at the Olympic Games or other competitions like the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating.
Cooperation with other sports
The ISU works together with the Federation of International Bandy. They share the same places to play because both groups want more big indoor spaces with ice to be built. This teamwork is growing because it helps both groups.
Organization
The ISU is an international sport federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee. It manages figure skating and speed skating sports, including disciplines like Speed skating, Single & Pair skating, Ice dance, Short track speed skating, and Synchronized skating. National associations handle these sports in their countries, but the ISU controls all international matters. The ISU is based in Lausanne, Switzerland, and adopted English as its official language in 1947.
There was a try to create a new group to manage figure skating worldwide in 2003, called the World Skating Federation. However, this effort did not succeed.
The ISU follows Swiss laws and has its own legal identity. Its purpose is to regulate, govern, and promote figure and speed skating, aiming to increase interest and participation globally while respecting all members.
Members
The members of the ISU are national associations that manage figure and speed skating in their countries. These members include skating clubs, and athletes belong to these clubs. As of February 2020, the ISU had 98 members.
Russia and Belarus suspension
After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the ISU stopped Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in events. In March 2023, the International Olympic Committee suggested allowing these athletes to compete under a neutral flag. The ISU is considering this but has not changed its decision yet. The suspension continues into 2025.
ISU Congress
The ISU Congress is the highest body of the ISU and meets every two years. It makes important decisions by voting. Since 1892, there have been 59 meetings.
ISU Council
The ISU Council is the main decision-making body between Congress meetings. It includes the president, vice presidents, and members from the Figure Skating and Speed Skating branches.
ISU Commissions and Committees
After the 2018 Congress, the ISU includes several important groups:
- ISU Disciplinary Commission
- ISU Athletes Commission
- ISU Medical Commission
- ISU Development Commission
- ISU Technical Committees
The ISU Disciplinary Commission handles rules and fairness. The ISU Athletes Commission represents skaters. The ISU Medical Commission ensures health and safety rules are followed. The ISU Development Commission supports growth in skating. The ISU Technical Committees create and update rules for different skating types.
Eligibility rules
The ISU sets rules to keep competitions fair and safe. Skaters must follow these rules or face penalties, including being banned from events. These rules have changed over time to allow more skaters to compete, including those who are paid.
Commercial aspects
The ISU makes money from TV broadcasts, sponsorships, support from the Olympic Committee, and investments. In 2018, it made about 35.6 million CHF. TV money was steady, but finding sponsors has become harder. The ISU also earns from investments and continues to get support from the Olympic Committee. In 2020, the ISU started the ISU Skating Awards to honor top skaters and contributors.
| Year | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 35.61 |  39.64 |  25.61 | 27.78 | 35.52 | 35.86 |
| Net income/(loss) | (0.23) | 2.01 | (4.65) | (0.25) | (19.07) | (3.57) |
| Assets | 324.28 | 321.20 | 296.49 | 290.20 | 285.56 | 276.93 |
Related articles
This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on International Skating Union, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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