(3/13/20) - In light of New York’s restrictions on public gatherings and the U.S. travel ban affecting 26 European countries due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the International Skating Union – in coordination with U.S. Figure Skating and the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) -- announced today the cancelation of the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2020. The event was to be held April 3-4 in Lake Placid, New York.
The ISU, however, reserves the right to reconsider holding the competition at a later time.
“While we are disappointed for all the teams that worked so hard to qualify for these world championships, U.S. Figure Skating supports the ISU’s decision as we globally work to limit the spread of the coronavirus,” U.S. Figure Skating President Anne Cammett said.
The decision affects 25 teams from 19 countries and puts an abrupt end to the synchronized skating season. Among those teams are five-time world medalists and 28-time U.S. champions Haydenettes (Hayden Recreation Centre FSC, Lexington/Marlborough, Mass.) and three-time U.S. silver medalists the Skyliners (Skating Club of New York, Monsey, N.Y.).
“I’d like to thank ORDA, the village of Lake Placid and the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to prepare for a world-class event,” Cammett said. “We certainly want Lake Placid to host these championships in the near future.”
As the host federation for the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2020, U.S. Figure Skating will soon begin to work on ticket refunds with each group impacted by this cancellation, including contacting each “Group Ticket Contact” regarding all-event ticket refunds purchased via the event website. Information will be posted on www.WorldSynchro2020.com.
ISU World Junior Synchronized Championships 2020
Due to the pandemic and growing travel concerns, U.S. Figure Skating withdrew its two entries from the ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships 2020, which begin today.
The teams, the Skyliners (Skating Club of New York, Monsey, N.Y./Sanford, Conn.) and Teams Elite (Northbrook, Ill.), arrived in Nottingham, Great Britain, earlier this week but returned to the United States on Thursday.
“Our athletes and delegations’ safety remains paramount,” Cammett said. “With the uncertainty and fast-evolving global scene due to this virus, we felt it best to bring our athletes home. While it was a difficult outcome for the athletes, we are proud of how these young athletes conducted themselves at a challenging time.”
