| Often performed to music, figure skating is an ice | | | | Mixed Pairs which comprise of a duo team of a man |
| skating sport where individuals, duos, or teams | | | | and a woman. A pair has to perform the singles |
| perform moves like spins and jumps on ice. Figure | | | | elements together in harmony, and also pair-specific |
| skating can trace its origins to the mid-19th century. | | | | sequences like throws, lifts, pair spins and death |
| In 1902, the World Championship that used to allow | | | | spirals, where the man swings the lady around him. |
| only men to compete saw a woman participant for | | | | Ice dancing, performed by a mixed couple, as |
| the first time. She finished second and changed the | | | | opposed to pairs, emphasizes the beauty of the |
| history of ice skating as a competitive sport forever. | | | | sport rather than the acrobatic moves. It focuses on |
| The International Skating Union, which was | | | | techniques like edgework, the flowing motion of the |
| established in 1892 and governs competitive | | | | dancers as well as the difficulty of the steps |
| ice-skating disciplines, created a separate competition | | | | performed while rhythmically close dancing to the |
| for ladies, (the official terminology of the sport used | | | | music. There are two main focus areas in ice dancing. |
| to refer to women) in 1906. By 1908 figure skating | | | | In compulsory dances, skaters have to perform |
| had been introduced to the Winter Olympic arena for | | | | obligatory dances with fixed steps and patterns set |
| individuals as well as mixed pairs. | | | | to standard ballroom dance rhythms. In free dances, |
| Also referred to as artistic skating in other languages, | | | | as the name suggests, the skaters free dance, within |
| figure skating competitions include many disciplines. | | | | specific guidelines, to music of their own choice. Ice |
| The main disciplines are - | | | | dancing is considered to be the most technical and |
| Singles Freestyle competitions for men and women, | | | | detailed of the skating disciplines. Being one of |
| where skaters have to perform jumps, spins and | | | | disciplines where age is no barrier, it finds many adult |
| step sequences as part of their performance. This is | | | | participants who enjoy it for both its athleticism and |
| usually performed to music. | | | | its social aspects. |