This weekend, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, will transform into a vibrant hub of figure skating excitement as U.S. Figure Skating launches its Olympic campaign titled ‘Leave Your Mark.’
The event, taking place on June 7–8, promises an array of interactive opportunities for fans of all ages, featuring appearances by notable stars from the world of figure skating.
Athletes will include world champion Alysa Liu, U.S. titlist Amber Glenn, and acclaimed ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates, who will showcase their artistry and skills through live demonstrations.
The immersive experience aims to engage the community, offering fans the chance to connect with members of the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating national team up close and personal, providing a unique glimpse into the lives of these elite athletes off the ice.
Daily activities are scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., with all activities included in the museum admission. The museum is located at 200 South Sierra Madre Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, making it an accessible destination for figure skating enthusiasts.
Danny O’Shea, the 2024 U.S. pairs champion, expressed his excitement for the event, stating, “I’m so excited to have the Leave Your Mark event here in Colorado Springs. Living and training here in Olympic City USA is so special, and we love the opportunity to meet with fans and get the energy going this Olympic season.”
The ‘Leave Your Mark’ campaign is designed to inspire and educate aspiring skaters and connect the local community with the athletes and stories that embody the spirit of the journey to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy.
In addition to engaging fans at the event, rinks, clubs, and programs nationwide are invited to participate in the campaign. U.S. Figure Skating will be sending out toolkits, both digitally and in print, to help members generate an Olympic atmosphere and excitement within their communities.
U.S. Figure Skating CEO Matt Farrell remarked on the partnership with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum, saying, “We’re thrilled to partner with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum to celebrate the artistry, athleticism and community of our sport in a fun, hands-on way. It’s a chance to share the joy of skating and leave our mark on the next generation.”
The launch event will feature a lineup of talented athletes such as Kam and O’Shea, Olympian Bradie Tennell, two-time Olympic ice dance medalists Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani, 2024 World silver medalist Isabeau Levito, along with Liu, Glenn, Chock, and Bates.
Tennell shared her eagerness to engage with fans, stating, “I’m so excited to be able to engage with fans at the Leave Your Mark event. The start of an Olympic season is always so special and being able to share experiences and memories with fans who also love the sport is so meaningful.”
Levito also expressed her excitement, highlighting the importance of fan support, “I love receiving fan mail and messages. I appreciate the support I feel via cheers in the arena and I’m always grateful for their presence.”
The weekend is packed with hands-on activities tailored for all ages, including movement classes, creative art projects, and interactive demonstrations. Unique memorabilia and artwork, including pieces from the U.S. Figure Skating Museum, will also be on display for fans to appreciate.
Some of the notable interactive stations include:
– **Art Zone**: A space for creative expression where participants can design skates, craft bracelets, and share their own aspirations on how they plan to impact the sport and community.
– **Dance Zone**: Attendees can take part in off-ice movement classes led by U.S. Figure Skating ice dancers, providing insight into the artistry of the sport.
– **Speed Zone**: A fun indoor track where participants can race against their own time and compare their speed to that of Team USA athletes, timed by national team members.
– **Skills Zone**: An obstacle course titled ‘Path to the Podium,’ featuring challenges such as the vertical jump, enhanced by cutting-edge 4D Motion technology that analyzes movement in real-time with elite skaters.
– **Live Demos**: Athletes will demonstrate how they refine their skills off-ice using training tools like jump harnesses, showcasing the rigorous routines of professional skaters.
– **Costume Zone**: Here, fans will explore the artistic expression in figure skating through costumes, including a display of iconic outfits from competitions throughout the years.
– **Impact Zone**: An exhibit on how skaters have made a positive impact both on and off the ice, highlighting their contributions beyond competitive skating.
– **Innovation Zone**: Attendees will hear from Jackson Ultima skate technicians about advancements in equipment and the evolution of figure skates over the years.
– **Fuel Zone**: An opportunity for fans to sample and purchase favorite training snacks favored by elite skaters.
– **Podium Zone**: A chance to take photos with top skaters while receiving a token commemorating attendees’ personal commitment to leaving their mark.
– **Fine Arts Display**: Visitors will learn about the artistic side of figure skating, featuring the artwork of legendary skater and artist Toller Cranston.
– **Legacy Memorial**: A respectful area to acknowledge U.S. Figure Skating members lost in Flight 5342, honoring their memory and impact on the sport.
This two-day celebration encapsulates the spirit of figure skating while encouraging a new generation to dream big and engage with Olympic values.
image source from：https://www.usfigureskating.org/news/article/stand-team-usa-leave-your-mark-kickoff-event
