MONTREAL, QC (May 25, 2023) – The road to the top is never easy. It takes time, dedication, grit and a lot of hard work. To win a medal on the world stage is one of the peak accomplishments in any athlete’s career, but to become a legend is a category onto itself. As figure skating fans descend on Montreal, Quebec next March for the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships ®, they will be welcomed by two of Canada’s finest: Olympians Joannie Rochette and Patrick Chan. The event is scheduled to take place at the Centre Bell from March 18-24, 2024. 

Rochette is best known for her heart wrenching battle to bronze at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, where she decided to compete mere days after the passing of her mother. Rochette was also crowned national champion six times and competed at seven world championships, winning a silver medal in 2009. The l’Île-Dupas native also won three ISU Four Continent medals and 10 medals on the ISU Grand Prix circuit.  

Chan is the most decorated male figure skater in Canadian history, holding 10 national titles, three Olympic medals and three world titles. Between them they share 16 national titles and have served as idols and role models to young Canadian figure skaters from coast to coast to coast.  

“I am thrilled to see the championships returning to Montréal following the cancellation in 2020. It is exciting to be able to finally step fully into my role as event ambassador and welcome the world to Montreal,” shared Rochette. “Montrealers are known to be welcoming and open to the world and I am honoured to represent Skate Canada and all the athletes participating at this incredible event.”  

In their role, Rochette and Chan will interact and engage with fans, conduct interviews with the media and be available for speaking engagements. The event ambassadors help share the athlete experience with media and fans so that the competing athletes can focus on the task at hand. 

When reflecting on his own experience, Chan shared how competing on his home soil served as a difference maker that catapulted him to the top of the podium.  

“One of my fondest memories in figure skating was when I competed at the 2013 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in London, Ontario. Having the support of a home crowd energized me to be the best I could be and ultimately achieve a gold medal.” 

This will be the first time the championships have been hosted in Montreal since 1932. They were previously scheduled in 2020, which would have been their first return since, but were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“We are honoured to have Patrick and Joannie return as our event ambassadors. Skate Canada is thrilled to finally be able to implement our plans and bring the world championships to Montreal,” said Debra Armstrong, Skate Canada’s Chief Executive Officer. “Over their careers, Joannie and Patrick have both taken part and won medals at every major skating event and know first-hand the pressures of competition and we know they will help make an unforgettable event for all participants.” 

All-event tickets for the 2024 ISU World Figure Skating Championships® will be on sale in mid-June.
For up-to-date ticket information, please sign up to our Worlds 2024 fan list at montreal2024.com. 

ABOUT THE ISU WORLD FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS 

The ISU World Figure Skating Championships® is an annual event that moves around the globe, showcasing the 200 best athletes from 50 countries across four disciplines: men, women, pair and ice dance. An event of this magnitude could not take place without the contribution of the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec, the City of Montreal and Tourism Montreal.