#PureAsIce

As part of its “Clean Sport” program for doping prevention, the ISU has once again this season deployed the “Pure as Ice” campaign in a variety of international events across all ice skating disciplines. The ISU #PureasIce initiative aims at reuniting skaters together with their entourage in a safe and fun hub where they can learn and exchange about Anti-Doping rules and behaviors.

ISU World Cup Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating 2022/23:

During the ISU World Cup Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating competitions, “Pure as Ice” booths were installed in Heerenveen (NED), as well as in Almaty (KAZ), all supported by volunteers and Anti-Doping educational teams on-site.

Pure as Ice photo booth at the 2023 ISU World Cup Speed Skating in Heerenveen (NED)

The skaters along with their coaches, team leaders and even sometimes team doctors and physiotherapists participated with great enthusiasm in the Pure as Ice activities and games,  held in 9 languages – Chinese, Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Russian.

Fun Fact: Back in 2021, the American Speed Skater Erin Jackson took part and won the Pure as Ice quiz conducted during the  ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating in Tomaszow Mazowiecki (POL) – going on to win Olympics and Championships medals in the subsequent years showing how successful skaters are eager to support Anti-Doping education-oriented actions.

Pure as Ice photo booth at the 2023 ISU World Cup Short Track in Almaty (KAZ)

ISU World Junior Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating Championships 2022/23: 

The Pure as Ice campaign also gives particular importance in educating younger generations of skaters about the inherent risks and responsibilities in relation to doping misconducts. Education should indeed be the first step towards Anti-Doping processes rather than directly going through doping controls.

In that regard, a special seminar was offered during the ISU World Junior Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Dresden (GER) and the ISU World Junior Speed Skating Championships in Inzell (GER), taking the form of an interactive presentation on the basics of Anti-Doping and Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE).  

Pure as Ice photo booth at the 2023 ISU World Junior Short Track Championships in Dresden (GER)

During these two events, the Pure as Ice booths also presented a successful attendance rate with 121 skaters (from 29 countries) in Dresden and 138 skaters (from 22 countries) in Inzell – making these Pure as Ice activations as the most globally representative recently.

Pure as Ice photo booth at the 2023 ISU World Junior Speed Skating Championships in Inzell (GER)

ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships and ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships 2022/23: 

The Pure as Ice campaign also made a strong appearance at this season’s ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Calgary (CAN) conducted in collaboration with the ISU’s Clean Sport custodian and partner Canadian Centre for  Ethics in Sport (CCES). Figure skaters and their entourage had the opportunity to participate in sessions focusing on “Doping control processes”. On that occasion, presenters from CCES provided an insight into how and why doping control processes take place with advice on how to be prepared, the do’s and don’ts and most importantly how important clean sport is for the skaters’ health and well-being.

As for Synchronized Skating, the ISU Pure as Ice team organized a seminar and quizzes during the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships in Angers (FRA). Skaters had the chance to get to know more about the basics of Anti-Doping and control processes, resulting in an engaging interaction with the presenters.

In total, more than 180 skaters attended these two Pure as Ice events, often accompanied, by their team leaders and coaches.

The ISU greatly values the attendance of coaches, team leaders, choreographers, physiotherapists as well as support staff (Athlete Support Personnel) as it further solidifies the Anti-Doping movement and encourages young skaters to familiarize with ways to keep sport clean, while learning from their mentors.

Pure as Ice photo booth at the 2023 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships in Angers (FRA)

The ISU looks forward to hosting skaters along with their coaches and support staff on Pure as Ice outreaches in the upcoming season to gather the ice skating community in support of Clean Sport. Let’s get together to celebrate the #PUREASICE spirit!