The first edition of this global celebration of ice skating is due to take place on December 4, with more than 30 countries expected to participate.

Events are due to take place across the globe alongside local skating clubs, rinks and National Federations, while a special event is planned in Lausanne, Switzerland, featuring Swiss national figure champion Alexia Paganini.

Looking forward to the inaugural World Ice Skating Day, ISU President Jae Youl Kim said: "Creating a global festival, on a local level by bringing together different communities and levels of skating so as to share a memorable and fun experience for the entire family - this is the spirit of World Ice Skating Day."

Events in Lausanne as part of World Ice Skating Day are due to take place at the Vaudoise Arena between 10am and 7pm CET on December 4.

The programme at the arena is due to include free public skating on the outside rink, special shows on the interior rink by three skating clubs based in the city and free ice skating lessons supervised by coaches and trainers.

The centrepiece of events at the arena is due to be a show from Paganini, who competed in the women’s figure skating events at the Pyeongchang 2018 and Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

"I am excited for the World Ice Skating Day to take shape not only in Lausanne but also across all the participating countries," Kim added.

"Over one day, we will all be reunited together on the ice to discover this beautiful sport, to learn, improve or simply have fun.

"I invite everyone to celebrate this day wherever they are in the world and to find a participating rink near them!"

The ISU say the objectives of World Ice Skating Day are to make the sport as widely accessible as possible in a fun and safe environment.