As one of the oldest International Sports Federations, founded in 1892, at a time when there was no pattern for the organizing of Championships or of a Federation, three national associations and two clubs found it necessary to organize.

In connection with the 75th Anniversary of the I.S.U. a brief history was printed in two books containing the results of all the I.S.U. Championships in Speed Skating and Figure Skating, written by Georg Hasler. This time, the intention has been to demonstrate how the sport of Skating has developed from the very beginning of the I.S.U. with five Members to the end of the year 1991 with 50 Members from 39 nations on 4 continents. The first 60 years of Skating were based upon natural ice and it could only be practiced in countries with a winter climate. With artificial ice for Speed Skating and indoor rinks for Figure Skating, a new development began. From practicing Skating mainly in Europe, North America has played an important role and in the last ten years the Far East has become a strong region. We can see, especially in connection with the Championships, a broader participation and also new disciplines, such as Short Track Speed Skating, have contributed to this development.

From 1987 even indoor Speed Skating has been a fact. Today, Ice Skating is no longer dependent upon a winter climate, but rather in investment in indoor rinks for both Speed and Figure Skating.

Who would have thought about Skating in Greece and Thailand 100 years ago or in Australia, New Zealand and even Mexico, for that matter?

With the adoption of Precision Team Skating, probably in 1992, more people than ever before will practice Skating under the umbrella of the I.S.U. I am convinced that this book will be of great interest for the Skating world, but it is also a contribution to the history of sport and sports development.

Within our Union we are in a lucky position to have people involved with both an interest in and a knowledge of our history, who were ready to spend a lot of time in research trying to find out the true history of the past 100 years.

I am therefore grateful to Mr. Benjamin Wright, who has been the initiator, collected the background material and was the writer. As close collaborators, he has had Mr. Elemer Tertak, Mr. Arne Kvaalen and Mr. John Hurdis, for Figure Skating, Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating, respectively.

Thanks to the library in Davos, kept in good order by the General Secretary, Mr. Beat Hasler, it has been possible for the above-mentioned persons to give the readers an interesting history. You will find it worthwhile to read it.
Good luck!