The 2017 edition of ISU European Speed Skating Championships, which was supposed to be held at Warsaw (Poland) during January 6-8, 2017, is shifted to Thialf BV venue in Heerenveen (Netherlands).
The decision about shifting the event was taken after the intimation of withdrawing from the Polish Speed Skating Association to the ISU Council. Earlier, following some major issues with the venue the Polish Speed Skating Association were forced to officially withdraw as organizing Member of the Event, an ISU press release announced.
Amidst the challenge to find a new venue at a short notice from ISU to host the event, the Dutch ISU Member KSNB, informed the ISU Council that they agree to host the event in the newly renovated Thialf BV venue.
And after checking the credentials of the claim, today, the ISU Council confirmed that the ISU European Speed Skating Championships 2017 have been allotted to the KNSB and will take place on January 6-8 in Heerenveen (NED).
Speaking during the official announcement of the decision, ISU President Mr. Jan Dijkema said, “We are very happy that the KNSB are able to take over and host the ISU European Speed Skating Championships in Heerenveen. The Dutch have a lot of experience in Speed Skating and we trust that they will do a good job, even if the time to prepare is short.”
The ISU Congress has also decided to alter the format of the ISU European Speed Skating Championships which means that the 2017 version will have the new format implemented for the first time. The Championships format will be Allround and Sprint Combination, Allround Combination are for Ladies 500, 3000, 1500 and 5000m, and for Men 500, 5000, 1500 and 10000m and the Sprint Combination are for Ladies and Men 500 and 1000m skated twice.