SKATERS GAIN A STRONG VOICE
Former Canadian pairs skater Eric Radford was elected Chair of the Athletes Commission at the 2022 International Skating Union Congress in June.
Though the 37-year-old never envisaged himself being in this role while he was competing, it is one he now finds himself deeply invested in.
IT TOOK JUST ONE CONVERSATION with skating officials at a competition in 2018 to plant the seed. When asked if he had ever thought about joining the Athletes Commission, Eric Radford admitted it had never crossed his mind.
But that question would be the catalyst that set in motion a new train of thought, and ultimately the path he now finds himself on.
Following his retirement in 2018, Radford knew he wanted to keep his foot in the door of the skating world and saw this as an opportunity to not only share his knowledge and experience but also a way to give back to the sport.
He threw his name into the hat to run for the position of representative for the singles and pairs discipline, and was elected to the Athletes Commission following a vote that took place at the 2019 World Championships in Saitama, Japan.
A new Commission was subsequently formed with representatives from short and long track, ice dance and synchronized skating.
