Ice skating is known as the movement on ice through the use of skates made especially to glide on the ice. People often ice skate for fun or for sport, although in some instances people have used it for travel. The history of ice skating is debatable. Some scholars say that it began in Scandinavia sometime around 3000 B.C. In Northern European countries, ice skating is believed to have been used for transportation rather than for exercise or competitive sport. This theory is supported by archaeological evidence with artifacts found in Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and other countries in the region. By the 17th century, ice skating was used as a way of transportation from one place to another. Around that time, ice skating was pioneered into England probably by Dutch travelers. The English didn't have a use for it, except as a leisurely sport. They mostly skated on lakes and small ponds which led them to change the blade for easier turns and quick stops. This undoubtedly is what led to modern day figure skating.
Figure skating is the sport in which individuals (or a pair) perform combinations of footwork, jumps and spins on ice rinks. It is an official Olympic event and is sometimes called "artistic skating." Modern day figure skating‘s first European championship began in 1892 and the first World championship was held in 1896. Only men were allowed to participate up until 1906, and pair skating was introduced in 1908. The sport's first Olympic event was also in 1908.
The most popular skaters during these early periods were Sonja Henie who turned her skating success into a career as a film star. Gillis Grafstrom and Karl Shafer were the top male skaters of the period.
After World War II, American and Canadian skaters started to win the majority of international competitions. This was the result of Europe being in shambles after the destructive war and many Europeans not having the resource to refine their craft. This was also a time where innovations to the sport were introduced. The double axel, triple loop jump, and the flying camel spin were all launched into the sport.
On February 15, 1961, the United States whole figure skating team was killed in a plane crash in Brussels, which allowed the Soviet Union to take over the reign as the top figure skating country in the world. The Soviets have a very impressive streak of obtaining gold at every Winter Olympics since 1964 that is still going on today.
Today, figure skating is one of the most watched sports in America, behind NFL football.
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