Abu Dhabi: The Australian national synchronised skating team has re-routed its training base to Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City Ice Rink following the recent Brussels bombings.
The team was due to finish its preparations for the ISU World Synchronised Skating Championship, to be staged from April 7-9 in Budapest, Hungary, with a bonding tour that included a visit to Belgium for practice and sightseeing throughout the country.
The tragic turn of events in Brussels, where 32 people were killed at the city’s airport by suicide bombers, led to the team relocating to the UAE, where they arrived for a three-day training camp on Monday.
“It speaks volumes that using Zayed Sports City was top of mind for one of the world’s leading skating teams,” said Barry Bremner, General Manager of Zayed Sports City. “We’re proud that they chose us and it’s gratifying that we could accommodate them during this time.”
The Australian team’s relationship was enabled through an Australian ISU judge that has close ties with the UAE National Figure Skating Team, and who has been providing technical support and advice as the sport grows in the UAE. Their visit ahead of the ISU World Synchronised Skating Championship has been facilitated by the Emirates Skating Club and builds on the strong bond between the two nations.
“It’s an honuor that they first thought of Emirates Skating Club for many reasons,” said Roquiya Cochran, Chief Operations Officer of Emirates Skating Club.
