Three weeks after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed the inclusion of Synchro9 in the Olympic Winter Games Alpes 2030, the International Skating Union (ISU) has taken a step in expanding access to the discipline in Asia with the successful delivery of its first-ever ISU Synchro9 Development Camp, held from July 20–24, 2026, at the IWIS International Training Center in Bangkok, Thailand.

Group picture during the first ISU Synchro9 development camp in Bangkok, Thailand © Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thailand (FSAT)

Organized by the Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thailand in collaboration with ISU Development, the camp brought together junior athletes, coaches and officials from across Asia, reinforcing the ISU's commitment to growing skating in regions where access to ice facilities, athlete pools and competitive opportunities remains limited. The choice of Bangkok reflects the city's growing urban hub for skating, as it is ranked among the world's top cities for fan engagement. 

Training session during the first ISU Synchro9 development camp in Bangkok, Thailand © Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thailand (FSAT)

The initiative reflects the ISU Development Program's long-term strategy of creating sustainable pathways for Member Federations and building competitive excellence through education, technical expertise and international collaboration. 

ISU President, Jae Youl Kim, said: "Under our Vision 2030, one of the ISU's priorities is to make skating more accessible and create opportunities for talented athletes, regardless of where they live. The success of this first Synchro9 Development Camp demonstrates the growing appetite for Synchronized Skating across Asia. Through our Development Program, we are supporting our Members with the tools, expertise and resources they need to build sustainable pathways for participation and performance, while opening new opportunities on the road to the 2028 Youth Olympic Winter Games and the 2030 Olympic Winter Games."

Building on Two Years of Momentum

Building on the success of ISU Development seminars first introduced in Bangkok in 2024, interest has grown so significantly that applications for this year's camp exceeded available capacity. A total of 28 teams applied for just 18 places, highlighting the increasing enthusiasm for the discipline and the demand for structured development opportunities.

Training session during the first ISU Synchro9 development camp in Bangkok, Thailand © Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thailand (FSAT)

A total of 63 participants representing 18 teams from eight Asian ISU Members - Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, China, India, Chinese Taipei, and host nation Thailand - came together for the camp, bringing a rich diversity of experience and expertise from both Figure Skating and roller-skating backgrounds.

Training session during the first ISU Synchro9 development camp in Bangkok, Thailand © Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thailand (FSAT)

The on-ice program was delivered by a team of five coaches, including two internationally renowned experts: Marilyn Langlois, coach of the 2026 ISU World Synchronized Skating Champions Les Suprêmes (Canada), and Andrea Gilardi, coach of Italy's Hot Shivers. 

Andrea Gilardi coaching during the first ISU Synchro9 development camp in Bangkok, Thailand © Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thailand (FSAT)

They were supported by four demo skaters from Canada and Italy, who trained alongside the junior athletes throughout the week, providing hands-on guidance and sharing their expertise directly on the ice.

Demo skaters from Canada and Italy sharing their expertise during the first ISU Synchro9 development camp in Bangkok, Thailand © Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thailand (FSAT)

Synchro9: An Accessible Olympic Pathway

Developed by the ISU, Synchro9 is an innovative nine-skater format created to modernize Synchronized Skating while preserving its core technical excellence, creativity and team spirit components. 

Off-ice training session during the first ISU Synchro9 development camp in Bangkok, Thailand © Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thailand (FSAT)

Designed as a fast-paced, urban-inspired and entertainment-driven competition format with smaller team sizes (9 skaters instead of 16), Synchro9 makes the sport more accessible to countries with limited athlete pools, ice time or financial resources, lowering the barriers to participation while creating an exciting new experience for athletes and fans alike.

The format also introduces knockout rounds, an easy-to-follow scoring system and dynamic in-arena presentation, create compelling engagement opportunities for spectators, broadcasters and digital audiences

Most importantly, Synchro9 is opening an unprecedented international pathway for athletes. The discipline has been confirmed for the Youth Olympic Winter Games Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 and will make history at the Olympic Winter Games Alpes 2030, becoming the first Synchronized Skating discipline ever included in the Olympic program.

For the coaches leading the Bangkok camp, the combination of Olympic recognition and greater accessibility has the potential to transform the global landscape of Synchronized Skating.

"The fact that Synchro9 is now officially an Olympic discipline will attract even more skaters from across the skating community, including roller skaters in countries such as India," said Marilyn Langlois. "With fewer skaters required per team, more clubs and more countries will be able to establish programs and create new opportunities for athletes."

Marilyn Langlois coaching during the first ISU Synchro9 development camp in Bangkok, Thailand © Figure and Speed Skating Association of Thailand (FSAT)

Andrea Gilardi believes the new format removes one of the biggest barriers to growth: "Building a team of nine skaters is far more achievable than building a team of sixteen," he said. "In countries with fewer ice rinks and smaller Figure Skating communities, Synchro9 offers a realistic and sustainable pathway into Synchronized Skating. It is already making a real difference and will enable many more nations to embrace the discipline."