GOTEBORG, Sweden — The International Skating Union announced today a new $1 million team skating competition in Tokyo next year.

The six nations with the best world standing will be invited to send four singles skaters — two men and two women — plus a pair and an ice dance team to the ISU World Team Trophy. The winners will take home $200,000.

The competition will be April 16-19, less than three weeks after the world championships. The event will skip the 2010 Olympic cycle, resuming in 2011.

ISU President Ottavio Cinquanta said the goal is to encourage more nations to strengthen skaters in all disciplines.