Today, April 6, 2020, the International Skating Union (ISU) proudly celebrates the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace for the third consecutive year. Sport, peace and unity is more important than ever in these times of crisis. This year, the ISU Athletes Commission, who represents the views of the athletes and makes their voices heard within the ISU, conveys the message of commitment to Sport for Development and Peace.
Douwe De Vries (NED), ISU World Single Distances Speed Skating five-time Team Pursuit gold medalist and 2015 5000m bronze medalist, represents Speed Skating; Pairs Skater Eric Radford (CAN), Olympic 2018 gold and 2014 silver medalist in the team event, 2018 Olympic bronze medalist in the Pairs event as well as two-time ISU World Figure Skating champion, with his partner Meagan Duhamel, speaks for Figure Skating; Yuri Hulitski (BLR), 2014 Youth Olympic Games gold medalist and two-time National silver medalist with his partner Eugenia Tkatchenka, 2016 National champion with Maria Oleynik, 2017 silver National medalist with Kristina Kaunatskaia as well as 2018 silver National medalist and 2019 National champion with Anna Kublikova, stands for Ice Dance; representing Synchronized Skating is Ida Hellström (FIN), ISU World Synchronized Skating 2014 champion and 2015 silver medalist and two-time National champion with Marigold Ice Unity; and looking out for the Short Track Speed Skating athletes is Zhou Yang (CHN), two-time 1500m Olympic gold medalist and 2010 3000m Team Relay Olympic gold medalist as well as ISU World Short Track Speed Skating two-time champion, five-time runner-up and four-times bronze medalist. From their homes, the Athlete Commission representatives show the strong symbol of a #WhiteCard.
In contrast with the red card, which signifies the most serious offense in sport, the #WhiteCard is a gesture of inclusion, tolerance and peace. The #WhiteCard is a Peace and Sport digital campaign that promotes the positive and constructive values of sport.
To celebrate Peace and Sport on April 6, the ISU invites the entire Skating community to rally around the symbol of a #WhiteCard as a sign of commitment to peace efforts worldwide. To find out more information on the #WhiteCard campaign and how you can also participate please visit their website.
