On the 8th May 2021 the Board of the IMSSC has held a video conference to prepare the IMSSC Session of 19th June 2021. The most important topics that were discussed are:
- Masters competitions in 2021-202 and the Covid-19 pandemic
The Board expects that the European ST competition (Sheffield, 19 & 20 November 2021) and MSG2022 (Berlin) and MAG2022 (Kolomna) can be organized in a “normal” way. Uncertain is the Covid-19 situation in the autumn 2021. The Board hopes that travel possibilities will improve all over the world and allow a lot of masters to participate in international competitions in 2021-2022, hopefully already this autumn. - Masters Short Track (ST) development plan
Keith Wright, one of the “founders” of Masters International Short track, has defined a preliminary plan to develop masters ST worldwide under the umbrella of the IMSSC. In the IMSSC Session 2021 this plan will be presented in more detail.
The IMSSC Constitution and Regulations (C&R) are extended with ST related rules. The concept will be discussed in the IMSSC Session in June 2021. The Masters International Short Track (MIST) games 2022 will be in Calgary on 27 & 28 March 2022. - The IMSSC discussed its role and commitment to developing speed skating worldwide and the importance of expanding its members and welcoming countries who are not currently members. It was stressed also that it is important to ensure current members received the backing from the IMSSC to continue staging events
- International masters competitions and/or MSG, MAG or MIST in Asia.
Kenji Takai has explained the very difficult and political situation in Japan. It is very difficult to get support by the Japanese Skating Federation to support international masters speedskating. He has also put effort in getting in contact with longtrack skaters in Korea and China. Unfortunately it will take time to get support in organizing international masters competitions in Asia and in particular in Japan. - Continuation of the relationship between ISU and IMSSC
The Board of the IMSSC will continue to safeguard the good relationship with the ISU. This is not only focused on longtrack speedskating but also short track. By defining a plan for ST development and the incorporation of ST rules into our C&R helps that the IMSSC will be recognized by the ISU as “the” worldwide international masters speedskating organisation.
The Board will inform more in detail all IMSSC Members in the video conference session at 19th June 2021.
Tjeerd Smies
President of the IMSSC
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