Media Information
ISMF Olympic Solidarity Development Camp: Fostering Skills, Unity, and Cultural Exchange in the Spanish Pyrenees
Lausanne, 3 April 2024 – In the picturesque setting of Candanchu, nestled amidst the stunning Spanish Pyrenees, the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF) Olympic Solidarity Development Camp recently welcomed over 60 young athletes and coaches from 11 nations. Organized by the Spanish Federation and funded by the Olympic Solidarity program of the International Olympic Committee, the camp aimed to equip young athletes with the skills and resources necessary to advance their careers in ski mountaineering. Moreover, it provided a unique opportunity for cultural exchange, fostering unity and collaboration among participants from diverse backgrounds.
The main purpose of the camp was to empower young athletes with the tools they need to develop their careers in ski mountaineering. Through a series of workshops, training sessions, and mentorship opportunities, participants received guidance from experienced coaches and instructors to enhance their technical skills, physical conditioning, and strategic understanding of the sport.
Additionally, the camp sought to facilitate cultural exchange and foster connections among athletes from different nations. By bringing together participants from Australia, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Greece, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Poland, Bulgaria and Turkey, the camp provided a platform for young athletes to engage with other cultures, share experiences, and build lasting friendships.
Regula Meier, President of ISMF, emphasized the importance of initiatives like the Olympic Solidarity Youth Camp in growing the sport of ski mountaineering. “These initiatives play a crucial role in nurturing the next generation of ski mountaineers and expanding the reach of our sport,” Meier stated. “By providing young athletes with opportunities for development and cultural exchange, we not only enrich their individual journeys but also strengthen the global ski mountaineering community as a whole.”
The participants, aged 16-20, also received professional training for sprint races with the official coach of the Spanish Youth national team Jordi Guillaumes.
The Camp was organised by the Spanish Federation together with Monika Strojny, Council Member of the ISMF and also responsible of supervising projects within the Olympic Solidarity environment for the International Federation.
Strojny echoed Meier’s sentiments, emphasizing the broader impact of the camp. “The ISMF Olympic Solidarity Youth Camp represents a beacon of opportunity and inclusivity within the world of ski mountaineering,” Strojny remarked. “By investing in the development of young athletes and fostering cross-cultural connections, we are not only nurturing talent but also building bridges that transcend borders and unite us as a global community.”
The participants not only learned the techniques needed for movement in the terrain, focused on skiing, climbing, sprint techniques, changing shoes, but also improved their fitness and endurance. “In camps like this, long-term friendships and professional contacts are formed, which can have a significant impact on the future development of ski mountaineering. Support for international cooperation and sharing of best practices can lead to the development of this sports discipline in all participating countries. Even though the weather was not very kind, because it rained a lot, all the participants left the camp with a lot of new experiences and knowledge that will help them in the future in the development of their sports career”, said one of the participant coaches, Peter Svätojánsky.
“Everything about the camp was amazing – the location, our hotel, the coaching and organisation – we all learned so much about skimo and also had fun visiting in the beautiful Spanish Pyrenees mountains. But the best part was meeting and making lots of new friends from many different countries. We are very grateful to Olympic Solidarity, ISMF and FEDME for this wonderful opportunity. Hopefully we will have many new friends come to visit us and help grow the great sport of SkiMo in Australia”, said Kim Nym, coach of the Australian team.
The Development Camp in Candanchu comes after a great first Camp held in the Tatras mountains in 2023, providing over 30 young athletes with a similar experience.
