Beijing Hosts ISU World Short Track Championships for First Time in 20 Years
The ISU World Short Track Championships will return to Beijing after two decades.
TroibNews 
With the International Skating Union World Short Track Championships set to return to Beijing's Capital Indoor Stadium this weekend, athletes and officials articulated their expectations for the event during a press conference on Wednesday.
Scheduled from Friday through Sunday, the championship will showcase 164 skaters representing 36 countries and regions. This year's event is particularly notable as it marks the first time Beijing has hosted since 2005.
"Beijing has world-class venues, excellent organization, passionate fans, and reliable partners," ISU President Kim Jae-youl expressed. "We are thrilled to unveil our new branding for short track, which captures the fast, dynamic and explosive nature of the sport. We will do everything we can to make skaters shine even brighter."
In the 2024-25 ISU Short Track World Tour, Chinese athletes achieved remarkable success with five gold, two silver, and five bronze medals across six events. In December, China secured victories in the men's 500-meter, men's 5,000-meter relay, and mixed relay during the World Tour stop in Beijing.
William Dandjinou from Canada and Kristen Santos-Griswold from the USA claimed the men's and women's ISU Crystal Globe titles this season, and both will be competing at the World Championships.
"I am really happy to have won the Crystal Globe. It was an amazing season for me and my team, but nothing is given to you in short track. I have to earn everything," stated Dandjinou. "The World Championships is another opportunity to prove myself and do my best."
Reflecting on her season, Santos-Griswold noted, "What I am most proud of this year was my ability to persevere through every competition. I had a lot of struggles with falling or not having my best races, but I was able to bounce back. I just tried to take one step at a time and do my best."
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
Scheduled from Friday through Sunday, the championship will showcase 164 skaters representing 36 countries and regions. This year's event is particularly notable as it marks the first time Beijing has hosted since 2005.
"Beijing has world-class venues, excellent organization, passionate fans, and reliable partners," ISU President Kim Jae-youl expressed. "We are thrilled to unveil our new branding for short track, which captures the fast, dynamic and explosive nature of the sport. We will do everything we can to make skaters shine even brighter."
In the 2024-25 ISU Short Track World Tour, Chinese athletes achieved remarkable success with five gold, two silver, and five bronze medals across six events. In December, China secured victories in the men's 500-meter, men's 5,000-meter relay, and mixed relay during the World Tour stop in Beijing.
William Dandjinou from Canada and Kristen Santos-Griswold from the USA claimed the men's and women's ISU Crystal Globe titles this season, and both will be competing at the World Championships.
"I am really happy to have won the Crystal Globe. It was an amazing season for me and my team, but nothing is given to you in short track. I have to earn everything," stated Dandjinou. "The World Championships is another opportunity to prove myself and do my best."
Reflecting on her season, Santos-Griswold noted, "What I am most proud of this year was my ability to persevere through every competition. I had a lot of struggles with falling or not having my best races, but I was able to bounce back. I just tried to take one step at a time and do my best."
Mark B Thomas for TROIB News
