International skating events to be held in China as scheduled

Zhang Tianyi of China leads the pack in the Men's 1500m final during the ISU World Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Bormio, Italy, February 1, 2020. /VCG

The International Skating Union (ISU) announced on Monday that the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix Cup of China and the Grand Prix Final will be held as scheduled in China this year

Last week, China General Administration of Sport announced that there will not be any international sporting events held in the country apart from trial events for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, in the light of the global pandemic situation.

The ISU said that they received clarification through its Chinese counterparts, saying that as the Cup of China event is part of the ISU Grand Prix series and consequently related to the ISU Grand Prix Final which is an Olympic test event, the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) reportedly agrees that the Cup of China, scheduled to be held from November 6 to 8 in Chongqing, remains scheduled as planned.

Sui Wenjing(L) and Han Cong of China during pairs short program at 2019 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Torino, Italy, December 5, 2019. /VCG

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final (December 10-13) and the ISU World Cup Short Track event (December 18-20) to be held at the Olympic venue in Beijing are also on the current calendar.

The ISU Council will next meet online on August 3 to decide upon the further course of action for ISU Events to find necessary logistical, medical and safety solutions.