CALGARY, ALBERTA – Last season’s 2024 ISU World Speed Skating Championships in Calgary were recognized during Sport Tourism Canada’s annual PRESTIGE Awards banquet, which took place at the host city’s BMO Centre on March 20.
The prestigious competition, which was being hosted at the Olympic Oval for the first time since 1998, was named International Sport Event of the Year (budget less than $2 million), coming out ahead of finalists the FIBA 3×3 World Tour & Women’s Series in Edmonton and the Nova Scotia Stampede in Truro.
The 2024 ISU World Speed Skating Championships attracted over 9,000 spectators across the four competition days and welcomed over 600 students as part of an engaging school program. The international scope of the event, combined with Canada’s unprecedented success in winning a record 10 medals on home ice, helped garner tremendous local and national media coverage, as well as impressive broadcast and streaming viewership across CBC and Radio-Canada platforms.
The introduction of several key initiatives also helped set these World Championships apart from past speed skating events hosted at the 1988 Olympic legacy venue.
The creation of Canada House presented by Intact Insurance – an innovative and engaging area that offered live music, concessions and other interactive activities – enhanced the overall spectator experience for fans, while dedicated alumni and VIP activities throughout the weekend increased attendance from out-of-town guests and provided unique corporate hosting opportunities.
Furthering the event’s social impact, Speed Skating Canada collaborated with National Team skater and talented artist Brooklyn McDougall to design a limited-edition line of merchandise, with all proceeds directed the Women’s Centre of Calgary, the local charity of McDougall’s choice.
“On behalf of everyone at Speed Skating Canada, I want to thank Sport Tourism Canada for this incredible honour. We are always striving to deliver world-class events – both on and off the ice – and these World Championships surpassed everyone’s expectations. The event’s success would not have been possible without the support of our partners at the International Skating Union, Olympic Oval, Tourism Calgary, Intact Insurance and Launchpoint, as well as the over 130 passionate volunteers who worked tirelessly to help further cemented our position as a hosting powerhouse in the speed skating world.”Jill Lynch, Manager, Events and Partnerships, Speed Skating Canada
It marks the second time in three years that a Speed Skating Canada hosted event receives this sport tourism honour. The 2022 ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships, one of the first amateur sporting events hosted in Montreal following the COVID-19 pandemic, where also named International Event of the Year in June 2023.
With a handful of international competitions on calendar this coming season – including the ISU World Short Track Championship’s return to Montreal in March 2026 – there’s a good chance you will see Speed Skating Canada’s name on the ballot at next year’s PRESTIGE Awards.
CONTACT
Alain Brouillette
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Speed Skating Canada
communications@speedskating.ca