THAILAND: THAILAND IS ABOUT TO HOST THE INTERNATIONAL ICE-SKATING COMPETITION 'SKATE ASIA'

Record ID: 648845

  • Title: THAILAND: THAILAND IS ABOUT TO HOST THE INTERNATIONAL ICE-SKATING COMPETITION 'SKATE ASIA'
  • Date: 15th August 2002
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (AUGUST 14, 2002)(REUTERS) 1. VARIOUS OF SKATERS ON THE RINK 2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) SKATING INSTRUCTOR, CHRISTOPHER MARR, SAYING: "Over the last three years ice-skating has become very popular. Our sessions on the weekend are packed. (Question: What draws crowds?) A lot of people come because they enjoy the activity of skating and to get out of the heat as well. Inside it's very cold, it's nice way to escape the heat." 3. THAI ICE-SKATER PERFORMING 4. THAI TEAM PERFORMING SKATE ROUTINE 5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ICE-SKATER, AMY ALISARA ARIRACHAKARAN, SAYING: "I hope that we'll end up in the top three because we do have a lot of skaters and our skaters train a lot in terms of artistic and dance. I mean, we don't have the techniques down like Hong Kong skaters but we have skaters who have a passion for skating" 6. CHILDREN ON THE ICE Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 30th August 2002 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BANGKOK, THAILAND
  • Country: Thailand
  • Reuters ID: LVA5CH5NBWRPOYF50KKFC9WQEVIQ
  • Story Text: Thailand is about to host the international ice-skating
    competition 'Skate Asia'. It will be the first time the
    southeast Asian country has hosted an ice-skating event and
    local skaters are keen to show the region just how good they
    are.



    Thailand seems a rather unlikely place to host an
    international ice-skating competition. In a country where the
    average temperature is above 30 degrees celsius, the closest
    most children come to ice is that which is scooped into
    a cup when they order soft drinks.

    But some youngsters areinding an escape from the heat and
    humidity by taking up ice-skating.

    It's 10 degrees celsius inside this rink in Bangkok, the
    biggest ice-skating facility in Thailand, which is about to
    host 'Skate Asia'. The eight-day competition, beginning on August
    18 and involving teams from Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia,
    Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore and the United States.

    A range of events will be held like speedskating, hockey,
    solo performance art and interpretive dance.

    Christopher Marr, who has been coaching ice-skaters for
    more than a decade and is currently working with the Thai team
    which will consist of 100 members this year, said : "Over
    the last three years ice-skating has become very popular. Our
    sessions on the weekend are packed. A lot of people come
    because they enjoy the activity of skating and to get out of
    the heat as well. Inside it's very cold, it's nice way to escape
    the heat."
    Thailand took home 52 gold medals at last year's Skate
    Asia competition, held in Hong Kong.

    Amy Alisara Arirachakaran is one of Thailand's young
    hopefuls. She's been skating since she was six years old and
    will take part in several events this year. She said : "I hope
    that we'll end up in the top three because we do have a lot of
    skaters and our skaters train a lot in terms of artistic and dance.

    I mean, we don't have the techniques down like Hong Kong skaters
    but we have skaters who have a passion for skating," she
    said.

    And it seems the sport is for both young and old. This
    year organisers say the youngest team member is four, while
    the oldest entrant is a 76-year-old Japanese man.


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