We are very proud and honored that Stockholm will be the host city of ISU World Figure Skating Championships in 2021. Stockholm is an open city and we will be able to offer Stockholmers and visitors from all over the world the opportunity to see and share this popular winter sport. A championship like this gives us the opportunity to show what Stockholm offers as an event city and also stimulates the interest in sports among kids and young people, and exposes more people to organized sports, which is positive says Emilia Bjuggren, Vice Mayor for Labour Market, Sports and Culture.
It is the third time in a short time that an international Figure Skating Championship is held in Stockholm a significant part of the strategy on how to manage the intensely growth of the sport in Sweden. The opportunity that together with the City of Stockholm host three international Figure Skating Championships with just a few years a part strengthens the sport. We need a hub for Figure Skating, not only in Sweden but in the Nordic region, says Katarina Henriksson, Chairman of the Swedish Figure Skating Association.
The city had not experienced an International Figure Skating Championship since 1947 when Stockholm came to host the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2015. It turned out to be a great success, filling the spherical arena Ericsson Globe to the limit and Sweden’s talented sisters Joshi and Victoria Helgesson came in fourth and fifth place. This year Stockholm hosted ISU World Synchronized Championships 2018 with Swedish Team Surprise bringing home the silver medal. The preparations with ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2021 will start immediately.
International Championships at home becomes a driving force to the many young athletes. Their motivation to really work to make their dreams come true gets a well-deserved boost, Katarina continues. Swedish Figure Skating is the second most growing sport in Sweden, based on a survey released by the Swedish Sports Federation this spring. Championships brings both growth in interest, motivation and members to the sport. It also opens up for new collaboration, such as between the host City and the Association. Creating new opportunities for the growing sport to stride.
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