International Skating Union
History
The International Skating Union (ISU) was founded in 1892, making it the oldest governing body for winter sports. The ISU was established in Scheveningen, Netherlands, during a time when skating was gaining popularity across Europe. The initial goal of the ISU was to regulate and organize international competitions in figure and speed skating.
Structure
The ISU is composed of a number of different bodies, each with its own specific role and responsibilities. The highest authority within the ISU is the Congress, which meets every two years and is composed of representatives from each member federation. The Congress is responsible for electing the ISU Council, which is the executive body of the ISU and is responsible for the general operation of the ISU between Congress meetings. The ISU also has a number of Technical Committees, which are responsible for the technical aspects of the different disciplines within the ISU.
Disciplines
The ISU governs two main disciplines: Figure skating and Speed skating. Each discipline is further divided into several categories.
Figure Skating
Figure skating, one of the oldest disciplines governed by the ISU, is a sport in which individuals, duos, or groups perform on figure skates on ice. It was the first winter sport to be included in the Olympic Games, when it was included in the 1908 Olympics.
Speed Skating
Speed skating is a competitive form of ice skating in which the competitors race each other in traveling a certain distance on skates. It occurs in long track and short track variants. The sport has been part of the Winter Olympics since the first games in 1924.
Competitions
The ISU organizes a number of international competitions in both figure skating and speed skating. These include the World Championships, European Championships, and the Four Continents Championships. The ISU also organizes the World Cup series for both disciplines.
Membership
As of 2020, the ISU has 87 member federations, each representing a different country. Each member federation is responsible for the organization and governance of skating within their respective country.
Controversies
Like any international sporting federation, the ISU has faced its share of controversies. These have ranged from issues with judging and scoring in figure skating to concerns about the safety of athletes in speed skating.