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# Olympic Figure Skating Flashbacks
- URL: https://go-fug-yourself.ghost.io/olympic-figure-skating-flashbacks/
- Published: 2022-01-06T15:45:17.000Z
- Updated: 2022-01-06T07:39:51.000Z
- Author: Jessica  
- Tags: fugs, #wp, #wp-gallery, #slideshow, #Import 2026-10-07 08:18

## Sonja Henie -- 1936

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_3091692a-1641417324.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Colorsport/Shutterstock (3091692a) OLYMPICS 1936 GARMISCH PARTENKIRCHEN SONJA HENIE - NORWAY WINNER OF LADIES FIGURE SKATING & ALSO WON THE WORLD TITLE IN PARIS IN 36 FOR THE 10TH TIME CREDIT: THE BARRETT COLLECTION France Garmisch Sport

Yes, we're starting so early that we've got what appears to be a watercolor! This is figure-skating SUPER STAR Sonja Henie, who also wound up in a variety of Hollywood movies, she was so popular before WWII (hold that thought). Informative Caption tells me that she's STILL the record holder for the most Olympic and world titles. And [her Wiki is very informative](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonja%5FHenie?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io) \-- for example, now I know that this particular gold medal was super controversial because Sonja threw a fit about where she was assigned to skate and got herself placed last in the order. She also seems like she was at least a teeny bit Nazi, a fact about her that was NOT covered in any of my girlhood books about figure-skating! Make better choices, Sonja.

## Freda Whitaker and Phil Taylor - 1936

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_3837553a-1641417376.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Underwood Archives/UIG/Shutterstock (3837553a) St. Moritz, Switzerland: c. 1935\. World-renowned New York figure skaters Freda Whitaker and Phil Taylor show some amazing acrobatics as they prepare for the next Winter Olympics. VARIOUS

This is not technically AT the Olympics, but rather "world-renowned New York figure skaters Freda Whitaker and Phil Taylor show\[ing\] some amazing acrobatics as they prepare for the next Winter Olympics." (A) I appreciate everyone's cold weather wear; (b) neither of them have a Wiki, but from my Googling, they might actually be British and I believe his daughter almost beat Nearly Nazi Sonja Henie this year in the ladies competition. Additionally, neither of them made the Olympics, but [he seems to have been a stunt skater who did a lot of VERY INSANE tricks like skating on stilts](https://skateguard1.blogspot.com/2018/09/switzerland-new-zealand-and-egbert.html?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io).

## Dick Button -- 1948

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bf/b9/bfb99790-924d-4e41-a7e6-5e3c6e04fe57/content/images/static-gofugyourself-com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7391648a-1641417550.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by AP/Shutterstock (7391648a) RICHARD BUTTON Richard Button of Englewood, N.J. who will represent the United States in the men's figure skating competition at the Winter Olympics at St. Moritz, Switzerland, makes a sensational leap during practice there, . Button recently won the European figure skating for men in competition at Prague, Czechoslovakia. Opening ceremonies for the St. Moritz games will take place Jan. 30,1948 1948 Winter Olympics, ST. MORITZ, Switzerland

Speaking of great sweaters and also famous skaters who are NOT Nazis, yes, this is one "Richard Button of Englewood, N.J., who will represent the United States in the men's figure skating competition at the Winter Olympics at St. Moritz, Switzerland." Spoiler: He won, and still holds the record as the youngest man to win Olympic gold in figure-skating. You may only remember Dick Button for being irritated when people's spins wander, but the man has CRED. [From his Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick%5FButton?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io): " He is also the only non-European man to have become European champion. Button is credited as having been the first skater to successfully land the double Axel jump in competition in 1948, as well as the first triple jump of any kind – a triple loop – in 1952\. He also invented the flying camel spin, which was originally known as the "Button camel." NO WONDER he gets mad when people's camel spins suck. HE INVENTED THEM. Fun fact: He and his mother also once got caught in a Communist uprising in Prague and had to be extracted by the Army. He's also a lawyer. Long live Dick Button!

## Dick Button - 1948

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7408990a-1641417578.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Green/AP/Shutterstock (7408990a) Richard Button of New Jersey, USA, performing in the Men's Figure Olympic Skating event, during the Winter Olympic Games, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, on . Button won the Gold medal in the event Switzerland Winter Olympics 1948, St Moritz, Switzerland

And he did it all in a suit! (He also defended his gold medal in 1952, and was the only man to win two golds in a row until Yuzuru Hanyu did it in 2018.)

## Barbara Ann Scott - 1948

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7408991d-1641417590.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Green/AP/Shutterstock (7408991d) Barbara Ann Scott of Canada competed in the Women's Figure Olympic Skating event, during the Winter Olympic Games, in St. Moritz, Switzerland, on . Scott won the gold medal in the event and is seen repeating some leaps for photographers Switzerland Winter Olympics 1948, St Moritz, Switzerland

Let's turn once again to Informative Caption: "Barbara Ann Scott of Canada competed in the Women's Figure Olympic Skating event, during the Winter Olympic Games, in St. Moritz, Switzerland. Scott won the gold medal in the event and is seen repeating some leaps for photographers." You know, in case they missed it. (a) I sort of wish the skating was still done outside. It's better for Covid, too! (b) I also wish more people wore hats whilst skating. Anyway, [Barbara Ann's Wiki tells me](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara%5FAnn%5FScott?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io) that "she is the only Canadian to have won the Olympic ladies' singles gold medal, the first North American to have won three major titles in one year and the only Canadian to have won the European Championship (1947–48). During her forties she was rated among the top equestrians in North America." Good for you, Barbara Ann!

## U.S. Olympic Figure Skating - 1948

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7391662a-1641417564.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Michael Nash/AP/Shutterstock (7391662a) James Grogan, Robert Swenning, Eileen Seigh, Richard Button, Gretchen Merrill, James Lettingarver, Karol Kenneth, Peter Kennedy Members of the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating teams glide over the ice in preparation for competition in the Winter Olympics, St. Moritz, Switzerland. Left to right are James Grogan, Robert Swenning, New York City; Eileen Seigh, Brooklyn, N.Y., Richard Button, Englewood, N.J.; Gretchen Merrill, Boston, Mass., James Lettingarver, St. Paul, Minn., Karol Kenneth and Peter Kennedy, both of Seattle 1948 Winter Olympics, St. Moritz, Switzerland

This is the entire US Figure Skating Team for 1948\. Informative Caption has the order of these folks totally wrong, although that is Dick Button in the middle as their superstar. They gave me: "James Grogan, Robert Swenning, Eileen Seigh, Richard Button, Gretchen Merrill, James Lettingarver, Karol Kennedy, Peter Kennedy. Members of the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating teams glide over the ice in preparation for competition in the Winter Olympics, St. Moritz, Switzerland. " Also model some VERY cute outfits. I regret to inform you that none of these people had any scandal in their Wikipedias, but Karol and Peter are brother and sister, NOT MARRIED, and other than Dick were definitely the most successful skaters on this team. (They're not *Kennedy* Kennedys.)

## Oleg Protopopov and Ludmilla Belousova - 1960

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6615786a-1641417406-scaled.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by AP/Shutterstock (6615786a) Russian figure skaters Oleg Protopopov and Ludmilla Belousova practice before the start of the VIII Winter Olympic Games Pairs Figure Skating competition in Squaw Valley, Calif., on 1960 Winter Olympics, Squaw Valley, USA

Let's zip forward in time to visit with Russian figure skaters Oleg Protopopov and Ludmilla Belousova, as they "practice before the start of the VIII Winter Olympic Games Pairs Figure Skating competition in Squaw Valley." Shoutout to the groovy be-sunglassed Californian gawkers in the background, but also Oleg and Ludmilla look chic in black. They're married and defected to Switzerland in the 70s. They invented three different death spirals! (Including presumably this one.) They skated exhibitions FOREVER, like until she was 80 YEARS OLD. They're both still alive! I need this novel!

## Peggy Fleming and Tim Wood -- 1968

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7389751c-1641416893.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jim Pringle/AP/Shutterstock (7389751c) Peggy Fleming, Tim Wood Peggy Fleming and Tim Wood skating in Grenoble, France in February 1968 Winter Olympics 1968, Grenoble, France

Look at these two cuties! This looks like a very fun episode of *Star Trek*. You probably are familiar with Peggy Fleming -- American skating sweetheart, superstar, and babe -- but [Tim Wood was a legit skater and won the silver in Grenoble](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim%5FWood%5F%28figure%5Fskater%29?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io). Wiki also informs me that, as of 2015, he was being sued by a LOT of people, so I hope that worked out for him.

## Peggy Fleming -- 1968

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7389742a-1641417533-scaled.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anonymous/AP/Shutterstock (7389742a) Peggy Fleming Peggy Fleming, U.S. figure skating entrant, performing in compulsory figures of Women's figure skating event in Grenoble, France on Winter Olympics 1968, Grenoble, France

Here's Peggy doing her compulsory figures, which I sort of still wish they did and I'm sure Dick Button agrees.

## Gabriele Seyfert of East Germany (silver), Peggy Fleming (gold) and Hana Maskova of Czechoslovakia (bronze)-- 1968

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7339090a-1641416852-scaled.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by AP/Shutterstock (7339090a) Women Olympic Skating Medalists on the podium at Grenoble, France, after receiving their medals on . From left to right: Gabriele Seyfert of France, who won the silver medal, Peggy Fleming of the U.S.A. who won the gold medal and Hana Maskova of Czechoslovakia who won the bronze medal France Olympic Games 1968, Grenoble, France

This is very interesting, [from Peggy's Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy%5FFleming?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io): "Peggy's mother played a memorable role in her daughter's Grenoble Olympic medal, as she chose a color for the skating costume, chartreuse, named after the liqueur of that color produced by neighboring Carthusians in their founding monastery, which also gives the name "chartreuse" to the region, thereby perhaps inspiring local French audience support for Peggy's virtually flawless performance. Her award in Grenoble was singularly important for the American athletes and the nation as a whole, for this was the only gold medal that the U.S. Olympic team won in the 1968 Winter Olympics. It signaled a return to American dominance in the sport of women's figure skating following the unprecedented tragedy of the 1961 Sabena plane crash." I was only vaguely familiar with that crash and [it's a truly heartbreaking story](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabena%5FFlight%5F548?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io); the entire team was killed, along with coaches (including a young Peggy's), family members, the crew, everyone. Interestingly, apparently this crash also (by necessity) opened the door for American skaters being coached by non-Americans. Let's pivot to Gabriele! She and Peggy were apparently, per Wiki, "longtime rivals" but Gabriele never beat her. Also: "She was a Stasi informer under the codename 'Perle.'" Wait. WHAT. And Hana Maskova was NOT an informant for anyone, but sadly died in a car crash in 1972\. This slide is....kind of a bummer, I'm sorry.

## Janet Lynn -- 1972

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_3165122a-1641417363.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Colorsport/Shutterstock (3165122a) Figure Skating - 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics - Women's Singles The USA's Janet Lynn who won a bronze medal at the Makomanai Indoor Skating Rink Sapporo Japan 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics - Women's Singles Sport

Moving on, Janet looks VERY reasonable and perky here. She took the bronze, but [I learned this from her Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet%5FLynn?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io): "The contrast between Lynn and Trixi Schuba was one of the reasons why the International Skating Union devalued the weight of compulsory figures in competition by introducing the short program. Since compulsory figures were rarely televised and were not well understood by the general public, television audiences were confused and angry when skaters such as Lynn, who excelled in the free skate, consistently lost competitions to skaters such as Schuba, who were not as strong in the free skate."

## Dorothy Hamill -- 1976

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7317913a-1641417422.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anonymous/AP/Shutterstock (7317913a) Dorothy Hamill, 19, of Riverside, Ct., shows her winning form as she skates in the short program event in the women's figure skating competition at the Winter Olympic in Innsbruck, Austria 1976 Winter Olympics, Innsbruck, Austria

To the youngs and even the only sort of youngs reading this: I CANNOT EXPRESS TO YOU HOW INFLUENTIAL THIS HAIRCUT WAS. (I wasn't even a year old when this happened, FWIW, but my mother DID eventually get me this haircut.)

## Dianne De Leeuw, Netherland (Silver Medal); Dorothy Hamill, USA (Gold Medal) and Christine Errath, East Germany -- 1976

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7366542c-1641416880.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anonymous/AP/Shutterstock (7366542c) Dorothy Hamil, Christine Errath, Dianne De Leeuw Ladies single figure skating medal winners on in Innsbruck, Austria. From Left to Right are Dianne De Leeuw, Netherland (Silver Medal); Dorothy Hamill, USA (Gold Medal) and Christine Errath, East Germany (Bronze Medal Olympic Winter 1976 Innsbruck Austria Figure Skating Women Medals, Innsbruck, Austria

Here's a better look at it. Dorothy DID look really cute in that hair! As far as the other two ladies, neither one of them have anything insane on their Wikipedia and both look very reasonable and 1976-y here.

## Scott Hamilton -1980

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6609771a-1641417390-scaled.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anonymous/AP/Shutterstock (6609771a) Scott Hamilton, of Haverford, Pa., performs during his short program of the Olympic figure skating event, Lake Placid, New York. He is in sixth position Scott Hamilton Olympics 1980, Lake Placid, USA

Did you know that Scott Hamilton was also the inspiration for Karate Kid? (Not really. But he does look like he's about to do a crane kick here.) This was before Scott Hamilton really became SCOTT HAMILTON; he came in 5th at this Olympics. Wiki tells me that "his breakthrough performance was in the 1981 U.S. Championships. He performed flawlessly and the audience began a standing ovation several seconds before the end of the performance. He never lost an amateur competition again."

## Scott Hamilton - 1984

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7346294a-1641416868.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by AP/Shutterstock (7346294a) Scott Hamilton, US figure skater of Denver, Colorado, performs during the Winter Olympics . Hamilton received a gold medal HAMILTON

Welcome to the portion of this slideshow where I begin have actual memories of the events therein. This costume is VERY American.

## Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean -- 1984

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_3148906a-1641417348-scaled.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Colorsport/Shutterstock (3148906a) Figure Skating - XIV Winter Olympics 1984 Sarajevo - Ice Dancing Great Britain's Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean perform the Bolero 1984 Olympics Sarajavo Winter Olympics Sport

[I cannot add to Heather's thoughts on this](https://go-fug-yourself.ghost.io/torvill-and-dean-got-perfect-6s-for-bolero-on-feb-14-1984-02-2021/).

## Katarina Witt -- 1984

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_3147902a-1641417336.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Colorsport/Shutterstock (3147902a) Winter Sports - Ice Skating Katarina Witt (East Germany) Winter Olympics 1984 Sarajevo Womens Figure Skating 18/02/1984 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics Sport

I was nine during these Olympics and let me tell you: A nine-year old will respond to these costumes!

## Katarina Witt - 1984

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_3147910a-1641416320.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Colorsport/Shutterstock (3147910a) Winter Sports - Ice Skating Katarina Witt (East Germany) Winter Olympics 1984 Sarajevo Womens Figure Skating Approx Date 18/02/1984 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics Sport

This one is burned on my brain! It's so pretty and fancy! She's wearing a tiara! I might have had this outfit for my Barbie! So glamourous!

## Ekaterina Gordeeva, Sergei Grinkov -- 1988

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7318614b-1641417503-scaled.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Steve Simon/AP/Shutterstock (7318614b) Ekaterina Gordeeva, Sergei Grinkov Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov of the Soviet Union skate to the music on their way to winning the gold medals during pair figure skating, in Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics, CALGARY, Canada

Speaking of glamorous! (Sorry for downloading a not entirely great photo of your face, Ekaterina.) As you probably know, because it's a very famous story, they were in love and got married and had a baby and then he tragically and suddenly died. And then she married Ilia Kulik and THEN she married David Pelletier - both of whom will appear in this slideshow later. Listen, she loves a skater, it's fine. They're who she's meeting! She understands them! I just want her to be happy.

## Debi Thomas - 1988

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7318519c-1641417433.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amy Sancetta/AP/Shutterstock (7318519c) Debi Thomas, Alex McGowan America's top figure skater Debi Thomas of San Jose, Calif., talks to her coach, Alex McGowan, during compulsories in the Olympic women's figure skating on in Calgary. Thomas jumped from the 4th place in the first compulsory to 1st in the second with third and final contest yet to come later in the day 1988 Winter Olympics, Calgary, Canada

I mostly just included this because I'm obsessed with Debi's sweater. It's so cute. (I was a HUGE Debi Thomas fan. To the point where when she skated her long program during these Olympics, I actually had to leave the room, I was so stressed.)

## Debi Thomas -- 1988

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_9307301aw-1641416909.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Colorsport/Shutterstock (9307301aw) Figure Skating - 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics - Women's Singles The USA's bronze medal winner Debi Thomas during the final free program at the Olympic Saddledome, Canada. The two clear favourites for the gold medal were Thomas and East Germany's Katarina Witt. Both skated their long programs to the music of Bizet's opera Carmen, the media consequently dubbing the showdown 'The Battle of the Carmens'. Thomas was leading going into the final free program but performed disappointingly to finish third, while Witt took the gold. In 1986 Thomas had been the first female skater to win a US National title and World Championship while attending college full time since Tenley Albright in the 1950s. Her bronze medal in Calgary meant she was the first African-American athlete in history to win a Winter Olympic medal. After retiring from the ice she became an orthopaedic surgeon. Media attention was focussed on her again in late 2015 when it transpired that her medical licences had expired and that she had been declared bankrupt and was living in a trailer. Sport

I really love this costume. Informative Caption actually encapsulated this situation fairly well: "The two clear favourites for the gold medal were Thomas and East Germany's Katarina Witt. Both skated their long programs to the music of Bizet's opera Carmen, the media consequently dubbing the showdown 'The Battle of the Carmens'. Thomas was leading going into the final free program but performed disappointingly to finish third, while Witt took the gold. In 1986 Thomas had been the first female skater to win a US National title and World Championship while attending college full time since Tenley Albright in the 1950s. Her bronze medal in Calgary meant she was the first African-American athlete in history to win a Winter Olympic medal." Tragically, although Debi went on to medical school, she has suffered from what seems like some psychological issues in recent years, [judging from this WaPo piece in 2016](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-issues/the-mystery-of-why-the-best-african-american-figure-skater-in-history-went-bankrupt-and-lives-in-a-trailer/2016/02/25/a191972c-ce99-11e5-abc9-ea152f0b9561%5Fstory.html?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io). I haven't seen an update on her situation since, but I sincerely hope she is well.

## Katarina Witt -- 1988

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7318535b-1641417446.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anonymous/AP/Shutterstock (7318535b) Katarina Witt Katarina Witt of East Germany, in a seductive red and black dress, dances to Bizet's "Carmen" in her freestyle skating presentation at the Olympic women's figure skating competition at the Saddledome in Calgary at night on . Witt won the gold medal, defending her Olympic figure skating title with almost flawless dance 1988 Winter Olympics, Calgary, Canada

Katarina did nail this "Carmen," although I bet she wants a do-over on her makeup a bit. She is on record as saying that Debi Thomas was the only person who could beat her, and I think that's true. She very nearly did. Can you imagine having the top two skaters in the world skating to the exact same music now? It would be even more of a thing.

## Brian Boitano -- 1988

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7318572d-1641417474.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by John Redman/AP/Shutterstock (7318572d) Brian Boitano Brian Boitano of Sunnyvale, Calif., leaps in the air, touching his skates during the free skating competition in Calgary, Canada on . Boitano won the Olympic men's figure skating championship, giving the United States its first gold medal in the XV Winter Olympics 1988 Winter Olympics, Calgary, Canada

I remember this routine SO clearly. It was EXCEPTIONALLY good. [His Wiki says](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian%5FBoitano?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io), "With his win, he became the first Olympic champion to land the full complement of six types of triple jumps. Boitano won the gold medal, wearing skates with American flag appliqués that are now part of the collections of the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution." That is neat! The 1988 Olympics were quite fun, because the ladies had the Battle of the Carmens, and the men had the Battle of the Brians, namely Boitano here, and his arch-rival...

## Brian Orser --1988

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_3147656a-1641416304-scaled.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Colorsport/Shutterstock (3147656a) Brian Orser (Canada) Mens Figure skating Winter Olympics 1988 Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics - Calgary Sport

Orser. YES, they were also both doing some military-themed routines; Boitano's was about Napoleon. I think Orser's was just more...generic. Anyway, Orser is now a VERY good coach. Also, apparently, [per his Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian%5FOrser?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io), "Orser starred in the 1990 German skating dance film *Carmen on Ice*, alongside his archrival Brian Boitano and Katarina Witt. The film told the story of Carmen wordlessly through ice skating; Orser played the part of Escamillo." I might need a movie about that movie.

## U.S. Olympic Skating Team -- 1992

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6535006a-1641416509-scaled.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Marcy Nighswander/AP/Shutterstock (6535006a) The U.S. Olympic Skating Team poses before the closing ceremonies for the 1992 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Orlando, Florida on . From left, seated: Natasha Kuchiki, Jenni Meno, Calla Urbanski, Kristi Yamaguchi, Nancy Kerrigan, Tonya Harding, April Sargent -Thomas, Rachel Mayer. Standing from left: Todd Sand, Scott Wendland, Rockey Marval, Christopher Bowman, Paul Wylie, Todd Eldredge, Russ Witherby, Peter Breen 1992 Winter Olympics, Orlando, USA

Here's the entire U.S. Olympic Skating Team, in a shot taken "before the closing ceremonies for the 1992 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Orlando, Florida." ALLEGEDLY, although we know Informative Caption is not totally reliable, we've got "From left, seated: Natasha Kuchiki, Jenni Meno, Calla Urbanski, Kristi Yamaguchi, Nancy Kerrigan, Tonya Harding, April Sargent -Thomas, Rachel Mayer. Standing from left: Todd Sand, Scott Wendland, Rockey Marval, Christopher Bowman, Paul Wylie, Todd Eldredge, Russ Witherby, Peter Breen." (I do think that is right.) Because I know you are wondering, this is two years before Tonya and Nancy (seated next to each other for maximum drama in hindsight!) had their contretemps. The timeline is weird here because this is the era when we went from having the Summer and Winter Olympics in the same year to them being staggered. So we had Winter Olympics in 1992 AND 1994\. The Tonya/Nancy situation unfurled before the 1994 Olympics. (Also important to the story: The retirement of my queen Kristi Yamaguchi after 1992 may have brought the Nancy/Tonya rivalry to a competitive head. In 1991 the three of them swept Worlds and were often really battling it out for the top slot).

## Midori Ito, Kristi Yamaguchi, Nancy Kerrigan - 1992

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7303674a-1641416840.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Lionel Cironneau/AP/Shutterstock (7303674a) ITO,YAMAGUCHI,KERRIGAN Silver medalist Midori Ito of Japan, left, gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi of the U.S., center, and bronze medalist Nancy Kerrigan of the U.S. wave Feb.21, 1992 during the medals ceremony of the figure skating competition at the XVI Winter Olympic Games in Albertville, France SKATING ITO YAMAGUCHI KERRIGAN, ALBERTVILLE, France

This was a VERY strong field of skaters.

## Kristi Yamaguchi -- 1992

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_3147928a-1641416332.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Colorsport/Shutterstock (3147928a) Figure Skating - 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics - Women's Singles The USA's Kristi Yamaguchi on the way to winning gold at the Olympic Ice Hall Albertville France 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics - Figure Skating Sport

I love this costume on Kristi Yamaguchi. It is so iconic to me.

## Midori Ito -- 1992

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_3147387a-1641416293.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Colorsport/Shutterstock (3147387a) Winter Sports - Figure Skating Midori Ito (Japan) 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics21/02/1992 Figure Skating Women 1992 Winter Olympics Sport

Major embroidery was HOT for figure skating costumes in the early 90s, between Kristi and Midori. In 1988, "she became the first woman to land seven triple jumps in an Olympic free skating competition," [per her Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midori%5FIto?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io), and she's also "the first woman to land a triple-triple jump combination and a triple Axel in competition." [She ALSO famously once jumped (accidentally) into the camera pit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFeo-jMJSlg&ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io), an event I saw happen live (or when it aired, anyway). She just like hopped right back out! Amazing.

## Lloyd Eisler and Isabelle Brasseur -- 1992

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7294499a-1641416748.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Dave Caulkin/AP/Shutterstock (7294499a) Canadian figure skaters Lloyd Eisler and Isabelle Brasseur leave the ice after performing their free program in the pairs event of the 1992 Winter Olympics, in Albertville, France. Brasseur fell during the performance but the couples manage to win the bronze medal Olympic Pairs Skating 1992, Albertville, France

We are now entering the portion of this post where I am just showing you outfits that I found entertaining. Here, we've got Canadian pairs team Lloyd Eisler and Isabelle Brasseur, and these outfits are like.....PEAK 1992\. They're nearly made of puffy-paint.

## Rocky Marval, Calla Urbanski -- 1992

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7250224a-1641416695-scaled.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Lionel Cironneau/AP/Shutterstock (7250224a) Rocky Marval, Calla Urbanski USA figure skating hopefuls Rocky Marval of New Egypt, N.J., right, and Calla Urbanski of Chicago wait for the scores of their performance in the free program of the figure skating pairs event at the 1992 Winter Olympic games in Albertville, France on 1992 Winter Olympics Hockey, Albertville, France

And I just had to include this shot because NO ONE looks happy here, in a way that is truly art. They did, in fact, super whiff it and finished tenth. And you can see that on their faces. [Wiki claims](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calla%5FUrbanski?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io) "\[b\]oth developed chest colds at the event and waited a day for medication because the approved type had initially run out." Rocky definitely looks like a person who cannot breathe through his nose here.

## Oksana Baiul, Nancy Kerrigan, Chen Lu -- 1994

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_3097890a-1641416277.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Colorsport/Shutterstock (3097890a) COPYRIGHT COLORSPORT PHOTO BY STUART MACFARLANE LILLEHAMMER OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES 25/2/1994 FIGURE SKATING - HAMAR SILVER MEDALLIST NANCY KERRIGAN STANDS BETWEEN WINNER OKSANA BAIUL (LEFT) & BRONZE MEDALLIST LU CHEN OF CHINA 1994 Winter Olympics Sport

If 1992 was about embroidery, 1994 was about sequins -- and, of course, Oksana's iconic pink marabou feathers. They finished 1-2-3, and they're waiting to see if that will hold here. Chen Lu won China's first figure-skating medal! Wiki notes that she had 7 triples in this long program, but "these successes were somewhat overshadowed by the Kerrigan/Harding controversy surrounding the Olympics and by the meteoric rise of another young skater, Oksana Baiul." Yeah, no kidding. Y'all, skating in the 90s was DRAMATIC. This was SEVEN WEEKS after Kerrigan was assaulted and honestly she BARELY lost the gold. (This was also when scoring was.....often slightly questionable. Something we will get to very soon. Which I do not say to disrespect Oksana, who was amazing. But she won thanks to like one judge.)

## Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinko -- 1994

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7250349a-1641416736.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Thomas Kienzle/AP/Shutterstock (7250349a) Figure Skating Gordeeva Grinkov Russia's Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov skate their way to a gold medal during the pairs free skating competition at Hamar Olympic Amphitheatre in Hamar, Norway 1994 Winter Olympics, HAMAR

Ah, we are reunited with Gordeeva and Grinkov, who took the gold here and somewhat look like they're dancing in [the vintage Valentino Julia Roberts wore when she won her Oscar](https://go-fug-yourself.ghost.io/for-fri-classic-oscars-outfits-julias-vintage-valentino-turns-20-04-2021/).

## Michelle Kwan, Tara Lipinski, Chen Lu --1998

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7294757c-1641416828.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Rick Bowmer/AP/Shutterstock (7294757c) LIPINSKI KWAN LU Tara Lipinski, front, Michelle Kwan, left, and Chen Lu, back, wave to the crowd as they make their way off the ice following the medal ceremony at White Ring Arena, in Nagano, Japan OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING, NAGANO, Japan

Chen Lu came back and defended her bronze! In sensible long sleeves. I like Tara Lipinski a lot, but I am a MICHELLE KWAN STAN and so one this hurts me a bit. I will say that I love how understated Michelle's look is here. (Also, I just took a break from proofreading this post and looked at Instagram and Michelle Kwan just had a baby! Mazel tov to her!)

## Surya Bonaly -- 1998

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7294750b-1641416817.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eric Draper/AP/Shutterstock (7294750b) BONALY France's Surya Bonaly performs during her short program at White Ring Arena, in Nagano, Japan OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING, NAGANO, Japan

Let me send a shout-out to France's Surya Bonaly, who did her famous one-blade backflip at this Olympics. [Her Wiki is really interesting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya%5FBonaly?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io) (and her first coach [is a lunatic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didier%5FGailhaguet?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io). They called him LITTLE NAPOLEON. It is not a compliment.) Did you know that she often wore a catsuit to skate in because she loved Flo-Jo? And her look in the previous Olympics -- I couldn't get a pic of this for some irritating reason -- was designed by Lacroix. Lacroix, darling! She also [gave an interesting interview to The Root in 2014 about her experiences as a skater](https://www.theroot.com/figure-skater-surya-bonaly-flipped-her-way-into-our-hea-1790874627?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io), and I wish she would write an autobiography.

## Pasha Grishuk and Yevgeny Platov of Russia -- 1998

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7294748a-1641416804.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eric Draper/AP/Shutterstock (7294748a) GRISHUK PLATOV Dance team Pasha Grishuk and Yevgeny Platov of Russia rehearse their original dance in practice at the White Ring Arena, at the XVIII Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Grishuk and Platov are in first place following the compulsories OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING, NAGANO, Japan

This whole look is giving me anxiety. (But they won the gold, so it worked!)

## Elvis Stojko, Ilia Kulik, Philippe Candeloro -- 1998

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7294737e-1641416773-scaled.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Doug Mills/AP/Shutterstock (7294737e) KULIK, STOJKO, CANDELORO Russia's Ilia Kulik, center, Canada's Elvis Stojko, left, and France's Philippe Candeloro, right, wave to the crowd during the awarding ceremony following the men's free skate competition at the XVIII Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, . Kulik won the gold, Stojko, the silver and Candeloro, the bronze OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING, NAGANO, Japan

These are three hideous outfits! The late 90s, man. What were we thinking?! [Per Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis%5FStojko?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io), Elvis "Stojko entered the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan as the heavy favorite and was expected to become the first Canadian man to win an Olympic gold medal. He did not disclose to the media that he had suffered a groin injury and was also recovering from a flu that had struck many other athletes during the Games. He was unable to take painkillers due to the possibility of failing his drug test. He later stated in an interview that he was already feeling stiff and sore during the warm-up prior to the long program, and therefore downgraded his planned quadruple toe loop to a triple, likely costing him a chance at gold." All I can say to that is OUCH. Meanwhile, Ilia's shirt is INSANE but I love him for his role in *Center Stage*, and I am just going to guess that Philippe is doing some kind of Beauty and the Beast situation, based solely on his costume...

## Philippe Candeloro of France - 1998

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7294747c-1641416790.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eric Draper/AP/Shutterstock (7294747c) CANDELORO Philippe Candeloro of France performs his long program during men's figure skating competition, at the XVIII Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Candeloro won the bronze medal in the event OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING, NAGANO, Japan

No, it was D'Artagnan. Well, I was....close? Not really. Anyway, fun fact: He has a rose named after him.

## Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat of France -- 2002

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6460368c-1641416497.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Roberto Borea/AP/Shutterstock (6460368c) Marina Anissina and Gwendal Peizerat of France compete in the ice dancing free program at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING, SALT LAKE CITY, USA

This does not look right. He's like "WAIT WHAT am I supposed to be doing with THIS hand?!" Anyway, neither of them have anything shocking on their Wikipedia and he has amazing hair. (Both of their Wikis interestingly omit the fact that ALLEGEDLY they were a team that was involved in the big scoring scandal in the following Olympics, which we will get to in good time.)

## Michelle Kwan -- 2002

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6460322a-1641416486.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amy Sancetta/AP/Shutterstock (6460322a) Michelle Kwan of the United States competes in the women's short program at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING, SALT LAKE CITY, USA

Classic!

## Michelle Kwan -- 2002

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6458496a-1641416447.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Lionel Cironneau/AP/Shutterstock (6458496a) Kwan Michelle Kwan of the United States competes in the women's free skating program at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, . Kwan won the bronze medal Michelle Kwan, SALT LAKE CITY, USA

Also classic!

## Sarah Hughes -- 2002

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6454412a-1641416420.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Lionel Cironneau/AP/Shutterstock (6454412a) Hughes Sarah Hughes of the United States competes in the women's free skating program at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The lavender dress Hughes wore for the long program is in a museum, and her Olympic gold medal is tucked away for safekeeping. Her memories of the Salt Lake City Games, however, are always with her Back to Salt Lake Figure Skating, SALT LAKE CITY, USA

Extremely classic! Sarah Hughes nailed this skate; I love Michelle, but I remember being very excited for Sarah!

## Evgeni Plushenko of Russia, Alexei Yagudin also of Russia, and bronze medalist Timothy Goebel of the United States -- 2002

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6459676a-1641416459-scaled.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Doug Mills/AP/Shutterstock (6459676a) Plushenko Yagudin Goebel The medalist in the men's skate competion pose on the podium at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, . They are, from left, silver medalist Evgeni Plushenko of Russia, gold medalist Alexei Yagudin also of Russia, and bronze medalist Timothy Goebel of the United States OLY MEN FIGURE SKATING WINNERS, SALT LAKE CITY, USA

I forgot about that cute Timothy Goebel, although he set a lot of records for quads. I hope he is well! (I'll never forget Plushenko or Yagudin.) (Also, Google tells me that Timothy is working...for Google. And married his boyfriend in 2017! Mazel tov!)

## Kati Winkler and Rene Lohse of Germany - 2002

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6460320b-1641416474.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amy Sancetta/AP/Shutterstock (6460320b) Kati Winkler and Rene Lohse of Germany compete in the ice dancing original program at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING, SALT LAKE CITY, USA

I share this only because I find her ensemble distressing and like a very aggressive bodysuit that is committing grievous crimes to her corporeal form. Anyway, a few months after this, he got hit by a truck! (He was okay.)

## Jamie Sale and David Pelletier of Canada and Yelena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze -- 2002

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6456498b-1641416432.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Doug Mills/AP/Shutterstock (6456498b) BEREZHNAYA Figure skating pairs silver medal winners Jamie Sale and David Pelletier of Canada, left, look towards Russians figure skating pairs and gold medal winners Yelena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze during and awards cermony at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, . Canadian outrage forced figure skating's ruling body to launch an inquiry into judging at the Olympics following Russia's controversial victory over the Canadians in the event Figure Skating Judge Controversy, SALT LAKE CITY, USA

"They look cranky," I thought. "OH RIGHT," I then thought. "[They got robbed of the gold medal and now all the skating scoring is totally different!](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002%5FWinter%5FOlympics%5Ffigure%5Fskating%5Fscandal?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io)" Take it away, Informative Caption: "Figure skating pairs silver medal winners Jamie Sale and David Pelletier of Canada, left, look towards Russians figure skating pairs and gold medal winners Yelena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze during an awards ceremony at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Canadian outrage forced figure skating's ruling body to launch an inquiry into judging at the Olympics following Russia's controversial victory over the Canadians in the event." I cannot believe this will be twenty years ago this Olympics; it was a FULL-ASS SCANDALEO. Anton Sikharulidze looks like he knows it even here! (It wasn't his fault. But it WAS awkward for him.) That Wiki I linked to up there is A RIDE if you've forgotten all the details of this dirty business.

## Irina Slutskaya -- 2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7090735j-1641416682.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kevork Djansezian/AP/Shutterstock (7090735j) Bronze medalist Russia's Irina Slutskaya performs a jump during the Women's Figure Skating final at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING WOMENS FINAL TR2 RUSSIA, TURIN, Italy

Let us take a break to celebrate the dominance of Irina Slutskaya, who was really supposed to win the gold this year but instead had a bad free skate. (Mao Asada was already on everyone's asses in 2006 but she was too young to skate in this particular Olympics and everyone else was like "SHIT I BETTER GET IN THERE WHILE I CAN.")

## Irina Slutskaya -- 2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7090716d-1641416670.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mark Baker/AP/Shutterstock (7090716d) Irina Slutskaya, of Russia, performs her Women's Short Program in Turin, Italy during the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games on WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING WOMEN TR2 RUSSIA, TURIN, Italy

This is delightful.

## Sasha Cohen -- 2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6391821d-1641416375.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mark Baker/AP/Shutterstock (6391821d) Sasha Cohen, of the United States, celebrates after her Women's Short Program in Turin, Italy during the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games on . Cohen is in first place after the short program by a narrow margin WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING WOMEN TR2 USA, TURIN, Italy

Ugh, this was also the year that my beloved Sasha Cohen was (barely) in first place after the short program and really REALLY had a shot to win the whole thing except...

## Sasha Cohen -- 2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6391830c-1641416397.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mark Baker/AP/Shutterstock (6391830c) Silver medalist Sasha Cohen of the United States performs her routine during the Women's Figure Skating final at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING WOMENS FINAL TR2 USA, TURIN, Italy

...as was her wont, she fell in her long program. I do love this costume. I still love you, Sasha!

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6391828g-1641416387.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eric Gay/AP/Shutterstock (6391828g) Silver medalist Sasha Cohen of the United States watches a video replay of her routine at the Women's Figure Skating final at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING WOMENS FINAL TR2 USA, TURIN, Italy

We've all made this face.

## Shizuka Arakawa -- 2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7090710e-1641416659.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amy Sancetta/AP/Shutterstock (7090710e) Shizuka Arakawa, of Japan, reacts to her gold-medal winning performance after the Women's Free Skate in Turin, Italy during the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games on WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING WOMEN TR2 JAPAN, TURIN, Italy

Anyway, this all opened the door for Shizuka Arakawa to win Japan's first figure-skating gold! (She skated to Turandot, and I think this costume is lovely.)

## Tatiana Totmianina, left, and Maxim Marinin -- 2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7090666b-1641416647.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mark Baker/AP/Shutterstock (7090666b) Tatiana Totmianina, left, and Maxim Marinin, of Russia, perform a double twist during the Pairs short program at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, . The couple placed first in the event with score of 68.64 points WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING PAIRS TR2 RUSSIA, TURIN, Italy

I promised you ruffles, and ruffles here be. Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin are two names that are very enjoyable to say. Apparently, he once accidentally dropped her on her head and gave her a concussion and was so traumatized that he had to see a sports psychologist. (As you would be.)(She said she didn't even remember it happening.) (This wasn't in practice, it was DURING SKATE AMERICA. This sounds very upsetting!) Anyway, they won here and she's married to Alexei Yagudin, so it all worked out. (Skaters truly love to marry each other.)

## Stephane Lambiel, Evgeni Plushenko, Jeffrey Buttle -- 2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7090542a-1641416631.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amy Sancetta/AP/Shutterstock (7090542a) Canada's bronze medalist Jeffrey Buttle, right, eyes Russia's Evgeni Plushenko's gold medal while Switzerland's Stephane Lambiel, left, holds his silver medal during ceremonies for the winners of the Men's Figure Skating Free Skate competition at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING MEN FREE SKATE TR2 RUSSIA SWITZERLAND CANADA, TURIN, Italy

Informative Caption says that "Canada's bronze medalist Jeffrey Buttle, right, eyes Russia's Evgeni Plushenko's gold medal" but I think he's actually looking at Stephane Lambiel's very wild top. (Jeffrey is now a very successful choreographer.)

## Johnny Weir --2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6391794d-1641416365.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amy Sancetta/AP/Shutterstock (6391794d) During the Men's Figure Skating short program at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING MENS TR2 USA, TURIN, Italy

I thought you might want to see Johnny.

## Johnny Weir -- 2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6391787e-1641416354.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Amy Sancetta/AP/Shutterstock (6391787e) Johnny Weir of the United States skates off the ice following his routine in the finals of the Men's Figure Skating Free Skate competition at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy, . Weir placed fifth in the overall event which was won by Russia's Evgeni Plushenko WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING MEN FREE SKATE TR2 USA, TURIN, Italy

2006 was the final Olympics for which I pulled photos, because it felt like we had entered the modern era, more or less, but who doesn't like Johnny Weir looking like a subtle sea urchin?

## Elena Grushina, left, and Ruslan Goncharov -- 2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7090510a-1641416616.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mark Baker/AP/Shutterstock (7090510a) Elena Grushina, left, and Ruslan Goncharov,of Ukraine, await their scores in their free dance in the Ice Dancing final at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING ICE DANCING TR2 UKRAINE, TURIN, Italy

I am DISTRAUGHT that this was not an ABBA routine. It was a Peter Gabriel number, somehow. Anyway, they got married! Then they got divorced. The circle of life!

## Barbara Fusar Poli and Maurizio Margaglio -- 2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7090469b-1641416552.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kevork Djansezian/AP/Shutterstock (7090469b) Italy's Maurizio Margaglio carries his partner Barbara Fusar Poli during their free dance final in Figure Skating Ice Dancing at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING ICE DANCING TR2 ITALY, TURIN, Italy

This photo makes him look like he's accidentally picked her up along with a bunch of laundry, and also I am obsessed with them now. All the photos we have of them, she seems to HATE HIM.

## Barbara Fusar Poli, left, and Maurizio Margaglio -- 2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7090472d-1641416567.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Kevork Djansezian/AP/Shutterstock (7090472d) Italy's Barbara Fusa Poli stares down at her partner Maurizio Margaglio after he dropped her during their original dance program in Figure Skating Ice Dancing at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING ICE DANCING TR2 ITALY, TURIN, Italy

Here, in fact, Informative Caption says, "Italy's Barbara Fusa Poli stares down at her partner Maurizio Margaglio after he dropped her during their original dance program." Whoops. Also, Barbara, what are you wearing???

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7090474e-1641416578.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mark Baker/AP/Shutterstock (7090474e) Italy's Barbara Fusa Poli, left, and partner Maurizio Margaglio await their scores after their original dance program in Figure Skating Ice Dancing at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING ICE DANCING TR2 ITALY, TURIN, Italy

He knows it. [Wiki says](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara%5FFusar-Poli?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io), "in the original dance, Fusar-Poli/Margaglio were performing a rotational lift with only seconds left in their program when Margaglio lost his balance, dropped Fusar-Poli, and fell to the ice himself. Following this conclusion to the program, Fusar-Poli stood glaring at her partner for approximately thirty seconds before the couple took their bows and left the ice. They dropped to seventh overall, but moved up to sixth place after a clean free dance, and told the media that the incident at the end of the original dance had reflected their anger at the mistake rather than at each other. Several years later, Fusar-Poli said that there were Swarovski crystals on the ice from the costumes of earlier competitors, but that the fall was a result of their own mistake and not the ice conditions." I feel like you ONLY bring up the crystals if you actually want to blame the crystals, especially several years later. However, this all happened when they were in first place, so....it would sting.

## Nathalie Pechalat and Fabian Bourzat -- 2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7090446a-1641416539.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Mark Baker/AP/Shutterstock (7090446a) France's Nathalie Pechalat, right, and partner Fabian Bourzat perform during the compulsory dance in ice dancing in Turin, Italy during the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games on WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING ICE DANCING TR2 FRANCE, TURIN, Italy

2006 was REALLY a year for Peak Insane Ice Dancing Looks. This is unhinged. Fun fact: She's married to Jean Dujardin.

## John and Sinead Kerr -- 2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7090420b-1641416527.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eric Gay/AP/Shutterstock (7090420b) Britain's John Kerr carries his partner Sinead Kerr during the free dance final in Figure Skating Ice Dancing at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING ICE DANCING TR2 BRITAIN, TURIN, Italy

I love these lifts where it's like the person being carried is pretending to be a piece of luggage. (They're brother and sister, not married.) I really wanted this to somehow be a Braveheart routine, but it was...Last of the Mohicans? I do not recall that much tartan in that film, but go off!

## Tanith Belbin and her partner Benjamin Agosto -- 2006

![](https://static.gofugyourself.com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_6391774b-1641416344.jpg)

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Eric Gay/AP/Shutterstock (6391774b) United States' Tanith Belbin and her partner Benjamin Agosto finish their routine during the Figure Skating Ice Dancing compulsory event at the Turin 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy WINTER OLYMPICS FIGURE SKATING ICE DANCING TR2 USA, TURIN, Italy

And, finally: Tanith Belbin had a lot of issues getting her American citizenship and it took a LITERAL act of Congress to get that sorted so she could skate for America here. [Per Wiki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanith%5FBelbin%5FWhite?ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io), "the mother of fellow American ice dancer David Mitchell sent a letter to Senator Hillary Clinton, asking her to vote against it." That is VERY AWKWARD. ([Mitchell and his partner ended up releasing a statement](https://www.espn.com/olympics/news/story?id=2244247&ref=go-fug-yourself.ghost.io) that was basically like, "we had nothing to do with that!!!") Anyway, it's good that HRC didn't pay David's Mom any mind, because Tanith and Ben were the first ice dancers to get a medal for the United States in 30 years when they won the silver. USA!

[The Olympics Start in Less Than a Month (!), Let's Look at Some Figure-Skating Costumes of YoreLet me warn you: there are RUFFLES afoot, but also a plethora of Wiki Deep Dives and plenty of skating scandale and legit romance and tragedy.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/bf/b9/bfb99790-924d-4e41-a7e6-5e3c6e04fe57/content/images/static-gofugyourself-com/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_editorial_7391648a-1641417550.jpg)](https://go-fug-yourself.ghost.io/best-olympics-skating-costumes-01-2022/)