OLYMPIC DEBUT

1908 London, England

ORIGINS

Figure skating began in the mid- to late-19th century in Europe and the first world championship was held in 1896 in Leningrad. It would be a decade later before the first women's championship would be staged.

Figure skating is among the oldest sports on the winter games calendar, first contested in 1908 and again in 1920.

In 1976, ice dancing was added to the program which already included events for men, women and pairs.