This was published 12 years ago
Sochi Winter Sports: Figure Skating
Fast facts:
Figure skating has been on the Olympic programme since the first Winter Games in Chamonix in 1924, and was even contested at the Summer Games in 1908 and 1920.
Fast facts:
The men’s and women’s singles and the pairs events each feature a short programme and a free skating element. The short programme combines eight prescribed elements – such as jump combinations and spins – while the free skating programme sees skaters perform an original arrangement of techniques to the music of their choice.
Fast facts:
Ice dancing, meanwhile, features a short dance – which consists of a set rhythm and pattern – and free dance, where athletes can choose their own rhythms.
New event:
A figure skating team event will also be held for the first time in Sochi, featuring teams made up of six skaters – one male, one female, one pair and one ice dance couple. Points will be awarded to each skater/couple for their routines and the team with the highest number of aggregate points will win the gold medal.
Olympic legend:
Norway’s Sonja Henie was just 15 years old when she won her first Olympic gold medal, at the 1928 Winter Games, earning the first-place votes of six of the seven judges. She went on to defend her Olympic crown in 1932 and 1936, while also winning 10 successive world titles between 1927 and 1936.
One to watch:
Following Kim Yu Na’s near-flawless display in the women’s singles at Vancouver 2010, which saw her set world records for her short programme, long programme and combined total score, all eyes will be on the South Korean to see if she can repeat the feat in Sochi.
