Figure skating is set to shine at the upcoming Milan-Cortina Games, scheduled for February 2026. This storied sport has been a mainstay of the Olympics since its inception, first gracing the Summer Games in 1908 and 1920 before making its official Winter Games debut in 1924.
Structure of Figure Skating Events
The figure skating events at the Olympics consist of singles, pairs, ice dance, and a team competition. Each discipline features a short program and a free skate, where skaters execute various elements. Scores are divided into:
- Technical Score: Evaluates the execution of skating elements.
- Component Score: Assesses performance qualities such as skating skills and artistic impression.
For ice dance, teams perform a theme-based rhythm dance. This season’s theme draws from the music and dance styles of the 1990s, as established by the International Skating Union.
Key Competitors to Watch
The United States is entering the Olympics with strong contenders. Last year, at the World Championships in Boston, Ilia Malinin claimed the men’s title, while Alysa Liu secured gold in the women’s category. Madison Chock and Evan Bates also defended their ice dance championship.
Malinin is touted as a favorite to succeed Nathan Chen, who won gold at the Beijing Games. However, competition in the women’s and pairs events appears open. The Japanese skaters pose significant challenges to the US competitors Liu and Amber Glenn, both of whom aim for gold.
Event Venue and Schedule
Figure skating will unfold at the Unipol Forum, officially known as the Milan Ice Skating Arena during the Olympics. This arena, built in 1988, will also host short-track speed skating.
The competitions commence on February 6, 2026, and continue nearly every day until the women’s free skate concludes on February 19. The closing exhibition gala is slated for February 21.
Notable Olympic Moments
The history of Olympic figure skating is rich with both triumph and turmoil. Legendary figures like Sonja Henie, Dick Button, and Katarina Witt have become synonymous with the sport. More recent athletes, including Yuzuru Hanyu and Tara Lipinski, have also made significant impacts.
However, the sport has faced issues such as the infamous Nancy Kerrigan-Tonya Harding incident and the controversy surrounding scores in the 2002 pairs event. The recent doping case involving Russian skater Kamila Valieva also cast a shadow over the sport during the 2022 Olympics.
Interesting Facts
- The singles and pairs events have been part of every Winter Olympics since 1972.
- Ice dance was introduced in 1976, and the team event made its debut in 2014.
- The US leads all nations with 17 gold medals and a total of 54 medals in figure skating.
- Canada holds the second-highest total with 29 Olympic medals in figure skating.
- Notably, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of Canada have the record for the most Olympic medals in figure skating, with five.
As the world looks forward to the Milan-Cortina Games, figure skating promises to deliver exceptional performances and unforgettable moments on the ice.
