—
July 7, 2026, 2:33 p.m. ET
Synchronized skating has been added to 2030 Winter Olympics, U.S. Figure Skating and the International Olympic Committee announced on Tuesday, July 7.
The decision, which creates a new Olympic pathway for athletes across the world, will certainly impact many in Michigan, the birthplace of the sport.
According to the Ann Arbor Figure Skating Club, the sport originated in Ann Arbor and was founded by Dr. Richard Porter in 1956.
The “Hockettes,” the first-ever synchronized skating team, began performing during intermission at University of Michigan hockey games and at ice shows hosted by Ann Arbor FSC.
As the sport gained notoriety and popularity, new teams and competition formed, expanding the sport to include national championships, which started in 1984.
Additionally, the International Skating Union (ISU) World Synchronized Championships have been held annually since 2000.
The Crystallettes, based at the Dearborn Ice Skating Center, most recently came in sixth place during the ISU CS SYS Spring Cup in 2020.
The sport features eight to 20 skaters who perform programs together, highlighting speed, formations and step sequences. The sport combines elements of freestyle, ice dance and pairs skating, according to Ann Arbor FSC. Skaters perform jumps, spins and lifts, among other things.
Synchronized skating, as opposed to figure skating, lets athletes compete as part of a team instead of on their own or in doubles.
The addition of the sport represents years of collaboration across the global skating community to bring synchronized skating to the Olympic stage.
Players will compete in groups of nine and will debut during the 2025-26 season with exhibition programs from Team Finland at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2026 and from Team USA, Team Finland and Team Canada at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships 2026.
It will make its competitive debut at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in 2028.
“Today’s announcement is a landmark moment for synchronized skating and for the future of our sport,” U.S. Figure Skating board president Kevin Rosenstein said. “We congratulate the International Olympic Committee, the International Skating Union and the countless athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and leaders whose vision and dedication helped make this day possible. U.S. Figure Skating is incredibly proud of the role our members have played in advancing synchronized skating, and we look forward to supporting our clubs and athletes as they pursue new opportunities on the road to the Olympic Winter Games and beyond.”
The next Winter Olympics will take place Feb. 1-17, 2030, across the French Alps.
Freeride skiing and snowboard were also added as new events.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at [email protected].
