FIRS evolves into World Skate to support growth on the Road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Beyond

LAUSANNE, Switzerland and WOODWARD, Pa., June 15, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS) and the International Skateboarding Federation (ISF) look to join forces under the World Skate name following approval by the FIRS Congress next September. World Skate will provide a more modern platform for the management of all skate disciplines, while allowing autonomy for the governance, development and management of Skateboarding through a commission chaired by Gary Ream.

Sabatino Aracu, President, Fédération Internationale Roller Sports: "For decades our federation has been a multisport organization, always ensuring the autonomy of its disciplines and preserving at the same time their essence and integrity. We knew that to ensure the proper representation of Skateboarding in Tokyo, it was necessary to involve the associations that represent the whole of Skateboarding culture including top athletes, event organisers, community organisations, NGOs, and industry advisors. Only in this way the unique identity of the skateboarding community can be preserved and celebrated."

Gary Ream, President, International Skateboarding Federation: "We have worked hard to make sure that the inclusion of Skateboarding in the Olympics respects and celebrates the culture skateboarders have built over the past 70 years. Upon the successful integration of the ISF into FIRS as World Skate we will be in best position to not only put on an incredible show in Tokyo, but also to protect the history of and seize the Olympic opportunity to properly maximize the development of Skateboarding around the globe."

IOC Sport Director, Kit McConnell expressed that, "The inclusion of skateboarding in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 provides a unique opportunity to showcase the sport and also drive its longer term development around the world. Through the rebranded World Skate, FIRS and the ISF are actively demonstrating a shared vision which not only celebrates the existing skateboarding communities around the world, but will benefit skateboarding and skateboarders through to the Olympic Games Tokyo and beyond."

Contacts:

US Inquiries: Shout Public Relations, +1 (949) 574-1440

• Erika Klein, [email protected]
• Amanda Pennington, [email protected]

International Inquiries, FIRS Communication Manager

• Simona Mercuri, +39 393 9075101;[email protected]

SOURCE International Skateboarding Federation