Overseeing Short Track Speed Skating

The international organization that oversees the sport of short track speed skating is the International Skating Union (ISU). The ISU make the rules, ratifies record times and is the final decision maker on everything officially short track.

They organize the World Short Track Championships as well as the World Cup Series. Any official short track events must be recognized by the ISU in order for record times to be ratified.

Between the ISU and the individual skater is the National Governing Body (NGB). Some countries have a separate governing body for speed skating and ice skating like Canada and United States. Other countries, like Australia, have just one organization that overseas all ice sports.

National Governing Bodies

The National Governing Bodies are the national organizations that oversee the sport of short track within a country. NGBs organize the national teams, set up training for it's athletes and promotes the sport in their country.

Every year, they hold competitions for skaters to qualify for the national team. Those that qualify will end up representing their country at international events.

Although the National Governing Bodies are provided some monies by the ISU, the big organizations receive a large portion of their funding from sponsors or from their national government. NGBs do not have equal funding due to more popularity of the short track in some country. Countries with a larger fan base and popularity garner more sponsors and more funds.

An NGBs funding determines their ability to help their national athletes. This means that the larger organizations can provide national athletes with coaches, trainers, training facilities, a stipend for equipment as well as travel expenses to international events. Smaller NGBS may only be able to help with travel expenses. Coaches, equipment and training facilities must be provided by the skater.