Dr Erika Kendelényi-Gulyás gains Olympic experience and insights in figure skating

Dr Erika Kendelényi-Gulyás, assistant professor at the Hungarian University of Sports Science, also played a significant role at the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics, where she supported the athletes’ preparation and performance as a member of the Hungarian athlete delegation.

Dr Erika Kendelényi-Gulyás, assistant professor at the Hungarian University of Sports Science (HUSS), and director of the figure skating division of the Hungarian National Skating Federation, participated in the 2026 Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics as a sports executive. She described her first Olympic experience as defining and memorable. Although the atmosphere resembled that of a world championship in some ways, the multiple venues and the distance between the Olympic Village and the competition arena created significant logistical challenges. Thanks to careful preparation, the events were ultimately conducted smoothly.

Olimpiai elmenyek es szakmai tapasztalatok a mukorcsolyaban 2

She highlighted that technical innovation is playing an increasingly important role in figure skating, with athletes incorporating more difficult elements, such as quadruple jumps, into their programmes. At the same time, quality of execution remains essential. The unique Olympic atmosphere places immense pressure on competitors, which was reflected in mistakes made even by top favourites.

From a sports economics perspective, the Olympics also provided valuable insight into the complex organizational and logistical background of a major international sporting event. She noted encouraging developments regarding the inclusion of synchronized skating in the Olympic programme. The discipline is expected to debut at the 2028 Winter Youth Olympics in the “Synchro 9” format, a step that could bring it closer to being included in the Winter Olympic Games in the future.

Tags: ice skating,winter olympics

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