The Masters International Short Track (MIST) Games were born from a common passion of short track ice speed skaters from around the world who although ageing, were still inspired to get on the ice and skate fast.

The appeal of short track speed skating is that it can be done in countries that do not have the luxury of a huge 400m ice oval – the traditional form of ice speed skating.

The first MIST Games was held in Cicero, New York in 2013 and it was to be the foundation event of Masters short track speed skating around the world.

The following year, the games were held in Ottawa, Canada, with the 3rd games meshed into the World Masters Winter Games held in Quebec City in 2015.

Due to a lack of venues willing to host the event in 2016, although Sheffield was a chosen venue, it was decided to postpone the event to ensure a great patronage in 2017. Sheffield, England hosted the 2017 event which was a huge success and really launched the event as one not to be missed, now moving from mainland North America to England. With 14 countries represented, this was a true indication of the spread of Masters Short Track.

During the 2017 Annual International Masters Speed Skating Committee meeting in Amsterdam, Keith Wright (GBR), at the invite of Frank Anderson (AUS), gave a presentation to the international representatives of the IMSSC. It was agreed that for the benefit of the MIST Games, the IMSSC should be seen as the supporting governing body of the Games so as to link to support from the International Skating Union. Frank Anderson and Keith Wright were subsequently voted on as the Short Track representatives to oversee the future of the MIST Games.

It was also decided to hold the MIST Games every two years in an uneven year to support the ability of participants to save for each event and to have the highest numbers possible at each Games.

The 2019 Games were held in Melbourne, Australia, bringing the games to the southern hemisphere for the first time. During the banquet of the Melbourne games, it was announced that the 2021 MIST Games (which have since been postponed to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) would be returning to Canada. This time, in Calgary, host city of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games.

We are excited to welcome everyone to Calgary in 2022!