Francesca Brusco and Marcella Mirra, founders of Road to Olympic Synchro.

Francesca Brusco and Marcella Mirra, two synchro moms from Italy, launched "Road to Olympic Synchro" to push for synchronized skating's inclusion in the 2030 Olympic Games. Their grassroots initiative is gaining support around the world.

The project began during the 2023 Junior World Championships in Neuchâtel. "It was a deeply emotional experience, and we couldn't help but wonder: how is this incredible sport still not part of the Olympics?" said Francesca and Marcella.

"This project comes from the heart. As parents, we’ve seen what synchronized skating brings to young people: discipline, teamwork, resilience, and joy."

Their daughters, Alice and Sara, started skating when they were three. Today, they train seriously in synchro. "Alice even moved to Canada and chose her school based on the ability to continue skating with a synchro team," said the mothers.

Inspired by them, Francesca and Marcella started a campaign to raise awareness and build support. "Our mission is simple yet ambitious: we want synchronized skating to become an Olympic sport by 2030."

The campaign focuses on three goals: explaining why synchro fits the Olympic spirit, giving people tools to take action, and starting conversations with skating organizations. The website even has a letter that fans can send to the IOC and ISU.

Besides social media, Francesca and Marcella talk to clubs, teams, and federations. "Our vision is to create a global network of supporters working together toward a common goal."

The ISU has not taken steps yet. "So far, we haven’t seen concrete steps from the ISU, which has been somewhat disappointing." But they were encouraged when the President of Finland supported synchro after the last Senior Worlds.

"We hope to see more synchro teams and their supporters taking action: writing letters, raising their voices, and encouraging their national federations to actively support the discipline."

"We are conscious of time: the decision will be made in 2025 so we need to act fast."

"We strongly believe that if more teams and clubs speak up and engage with their national federations ... change will become not only possible, but inevitable."

Francesca and Marcella believe synchro deserves Olympic recognition. Their campaign invites the whole community to take part and help make history. "We’ve started a social media campaign (#SkateTowardsOlympicGreatness) encouraging people to share their support."

The two synchro moms hope to see more synchro teams and their supporters taking action in the coming months: writing letters, raising their voices, and encouraging their national federations to actively support the discipline.