From left to right: ISU President, Jae Youl Kim, shake hands with Chairman of CNSG, Mr. Gu Haoning in Beijing, China, 2024. © ISU

The International Skating Union (ISU) is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with the Chinese National Sports Group (CNSG), as it continues to innovate and grow Short Track Speed Skating globally.

Sun Long and Lin Xiaojun (CHN) compete in the Mens 500M Quarterfinals during the 2023 ISU World Cup Short Track in Beijing, China. © ISU

This partnership sets the stage for a new era of growth in the world of Short Track, a sport that enjoys tremendous popularity in China, especially after the successful delivery of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games.

Chutong Zhang (CHN) in the front during the Women's 1500m Quarterfinals at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, China.  © Getty Images 

By joining forces with CNSG’s extensive reach and expertise, the ISU is confident that this collaboration will further enhance visibility and passion for the sport, while deepening connections with the fans’ community in China and worldwide.

A general view as Ye Wang (CHN), Julie Letai (USA) and Rikki Doak (CAN) compete in the Women B 500m Final during the 2024 ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands. © ISU

The ISU President, Jae Youl Kim, expressed great enthusiasm about this partnership, stating: “We are thrilled to embark on this new partnership with CNSG. Together, the ISU and CNSG share a strong commitment to unlocking the full potential of Short Track around the world, offering greater opportunities for our skaters, and creating more value for our commercial partners.” 

ISU President, Kim Jae Youl, and Ji Won Park (KOR) during the ISU 2023 World Cup Finals Short Track in Dordrecht, Netherlands. © Getty Images 

The ISU Director General Colin Smith underscores the promising changes ahead for Short Track as from season 2024/2025: “The debut of CNSG’s partnership across multiple ISU Championships will coincide with the launch of the Short Track World Tour, a new dynamic, entertaining and highly engaging series of global events across North America, Asia and Europe. The collaboration with CNSG aligns with ISU’s goals to re-imagine the spectators’ experience, increase fan engagement as well as bring a fresh and innovative dimension to the sport.”

 ISU Director General Collin Smith speaks during a press conference during the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal, Canada. © Getty Images 

The Chairman of CNSG, Mr. Gu Haoning, further shares Mr. Smith’s excitement: “CNSG, being the pioneer of Chinese sports industry, is excited about the partnership with the ISU. We are committed to continue promoting skating after the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games and unlock further the potential of Short Track Speed Skating in China and beyond.”

About the International Skating Union

The International Skating Union (ISU), founded in 1892, is the oldest governing international winter sport federation and the exclusive international sport federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) administering the sports of Figure Skating (Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance), Synchronized Skating, Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating worldwide. The objectives of the ISU are to regulate, govern, promote and develop its sports on the basis of friendship and mutual understanding between athletes. Currently three ISU disciplines are included in the Olympic Winter Games program (Figure Skating, Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating). For further information please visit isu.org.

About China National Sports Group

China National Sports Group, abbreviated as CNSG, has a registered capital of RMB 600 million. lt is the only wholly-owned enterprise directly under the General Administration of Sport of China, and its shareholders include the Chinese 0lympic Committee, Sports Lottery Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, and Service Center of the General Administration of Sport of China. At present, CNSG has invested in 86 enterprises at all levels, and directly invested in 17 enterprises, of which 9 are holding enterprises and 8 are shareholding enterprises. There are 3 hosted enterprises under the group. In addition to the investment of China Sports Industry, equity fund and hosting company, there are 66 reinvested enterprises.