The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that it is looking favourably at the inclusion of a Figure Skating Team Event in the programme of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi in 2014:
Before taking a final decision, the EB said it would like to consider the outcome of the next ISU Team Trophy 2011 in Japan in April and has empowered the IOC President to take the final decision on its behalf.
"The ISU is delighted by this announcement which marks an important moment in Figure Skating history" International Skating Union President Ottavio Cinquanta said. "We congratulate the IOC under the leadership of President Rogge, the Programme Commission chaired by Franco Carraro and we also extend gratitude for the constructive approach and good collaboration provided by the IOC Sports Department representatives Gilbert Felli and Christophe Dubi."
The International Skating Union (ISU) in cooperation with the Japan Skating Federation (JSF) and with the participation of TV Asahi Corporation, launched the first ever international team Figure Skating competition during the 2008/09 season in Tokyo, Japan. The event, a competition between the best national Figure Skating teams, was unprecedented in ISU history. It immediately met with an overwhelmingly positive response from the skating community, spectators and TV viewers.
"The ISU congratulates the Japan Skating Federation and TV Asahi for their participation in the launch and development of this ISU Event which has contributed significantly to the further development of Figure Skating worldwide" Ottavio Cinquanta said. He further extended thanks to all ISU’s broadcast partners for the excellent exposure of Figure Skating on television and thanked all ISU’s sponsors, with a special mention in favor of IMG for their cooperation.
The Figure Skating team event at the Olympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi is expected to have the participation of the ten best national Figure Skating teams each composed of one single skater from the Men’s category, one single skater from the Ladies category, one Pair Skating couple and one Ice Dance couple.
