The International Skating Union (ISU) continues to underline its commitment to modernization as ISU Director General Colin Smith joined fellow sports leaders at THE SPOT 2026 in Lausanne (SUI) to discuss how International Federations are evolving in an increasingly complex environment while protecting the heritage of their sports.

The panel, titled “Innovation in International Federations: Challenges and Opportunities”, saw the Director General outline the ISU’s approach to progress under Vision 2030 - the federation’s long-term strategy to modernize ice-skating globally. 

Claudine Breton, General Director ThinkSport, Vincent Gaillard, Executive Director and Secretary General World of Rowing, and Colin Smith, ISU Director General speaking at the 2026 SPOT panel in Lausanne, Switzerland. © ThinkSport

The panel explored how federations can move from intention to execution in a rapidly changing sports landscape, balancing tradition with transformation while adapting to new expectations from athletes, fans, broadcasters, partners and host cities. Smith was joined on stage by Claudine Breton, General Director of ThinkSport, and Vincent Gaillard, Executive Director and Secretary General of World Rowing. 

Redefining Innovation: A Foundation for Change

For the Director General, innovation is not only about new technology – it is also about ensuring that the organization itself has the right foundations to evolve: “Innovation is often a replacement word for modernization,” he said. “And I say modernization because innovation also requires internal modernization. We need the right platforms, structures, and processes - and, frankly, the right people - to be able to innovate effectively and bring new ideas to our stakeholders.”

 Colin Smith, ISU Director General speaking at the 2026 SPOT panel in Lausanne, Switzerland. © ThinkSport

Under its long-term Vision 2030 strategy, the ISU has embarked on a comprehensive transformation program, with key governance reforms approved by Members at the 1st ISU Extraordinary Congress in 2025 as a significant step in making the organization more agile and better equipped for the future.

Balancing Tradition and Transformation

With a legacy dating back to 1892, Smith described the ISU as a “134-year-old startup,” highlighting the unique challenge of balancing deep-rooted heritage with the need for flexibility and forward-thinking leadership. “We can’t present Figure Skating the same way in 2026 as it was presented in 1966. The way we present our sport, the way our sports are consumed, is very different. Everything has moved on – and we need to evolve and move on as well,” said the ISU Director General.

 Performance during the 2026 ISU Figure Skating World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic. © ThinkSport

This evolution is particularly visible in how ISU events are being reimagined and staged. Moving beyond traditional competition formats, the federation is transforming its events into immersive sports and entertainment experiences for fans, broadcasters and commercial partners. “What we aim to do is transform our competitions into even stronger sports and entertainment events,” he said. “Our approach to commercial rights reflects this shift - it is no longer based on what we were doing five or ten years ago, but on a renewed vision, ongoing innovation, and a clear direction for the future.”

Technology with Purpose

Technology remains a central pillar of ISU’s innovation strategy, particularly in enhancing sports presentation, fairness, and fan engagement. Among the initiatives highlighted:

• AI and computer vision tools to support judging in Figure Skating, building on two years of behind-the-scenes camera-based machine learning. These systems will be used next season as a support tool for judges, with the potential to be progressively integrated into the formal scoring system.
• Performance tracking technologies, such as the partnership with the jump tracker tool Aiving, providing a range of metrics to support athlete development and training

Aiving also earned two recognitions at THE SPOT 2026, winning first place in the “Sport Innovation Challenge - AI & Robotics 2026”, as well as receiving the “Coup de Cœur” Award. 

The Director General cautioned, however, against pursuing technology for its own sake, stressing the importance of aligning innovation with real needs, strategic priorities, and ensuring it is embedded across the organisation. “We are driving change,” Smith said. “And yes, change takes work - but more importantly, it’s about philosophy and mindset. Without people across the organization who are committed to moving forward, it simply won’t succeed. It is a team effort – from the President, the Chiefs, the ISU Council members, member federations and in the DNA of the whole ISU team.”

Through its participation at THE SPOT 2026, the ISU reinforced its ambition to lead skating into a new era - one that embraces innovation through governance reforms, new technologies, and dynamic collaboration, while remaining firmly rooted in its rich sporting heritage.