Keeping all of these creative decisions in mind, skaters have to consider that the rules are pretty subjective: What's perfectly acceptable to one judge might be "garish" or "too theatrical" to another. Performing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The three medal winners Lynn of the U.S., Schuba of Austria, Magnussen of Canada in ladies singles figure skating at the Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan, Feb. 7, 1972. German figure skater Katarina Witt is known as one of the greatest of all time in her sport, thanks in part to her back-to-back Olympic gold medals. The rule was repealed . With her 3rd place finish in Compulsory Figures, she would be in 2nd Place going into the Long. Shortly after the games concluded, figure skating implemented a dress code and dubbed it "The Katarina Rule.". Photo: Getty Images Laetitia Hubert of France in a yellow skirt and some strategically-placed flames at the 1998 Games. SI Staff Dec 2, 2015 Rare Photos of. 23.02.2018. Yes, you read that right: A figure skater competed at the PyeongChang Olympics sans skirt. So, Mit might be onto something. The so-called "Katarina rule" required female skaters to cover their "hips and posterior," and was instituted thanks to Katarina Witt's racy costume at the 1988 games. That rule was overturned in the early 2000s, bringing back the pants. Then you star in a commercial where you lure a bunch of boys onto the ice and boogie to the dulcet sounds of a cold bottle of Diet Coke being cracked open. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. British figure skater John Curry in a disco-worthy jumpsuit at the Olympics in 1976. Of course were talking about Katarina Witt, the Olympic powerhouse who helped make figure skating among the most iconic sports during the last 40 years. Figure skaters shouldnt wear outfits that could arouse judges. We're not really sure why people have been complaining. Competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 12, 2018, in Gangneung, South Korea. South Korean pairs team Tae Hwa Yang (in a fringed zebra-print dress with side cut-outs) and Chuen Gun Lee (in black) at the 2002 Olympics. The American skater competing in the free skate portion of the ladies singles event at the 1994 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1994, at the Hamar Olympic Hall in Lillehammer, Norway. Including some of the best from the games in Beijing. French ice-dancing couple Gwendal Peizerat (in a billowy blouse) and Marina Anissina (in a dress that gave the illusion that her whole side was naked) at a competition in 2001. Alina Zagitova took her cues from ballerinas when wore an intricately embroidered red and gold tutu and red gloves for her gold medal performance at the Pyeongchang Olympics. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. Dinamo is not just a design practice, it is a way of thinking that applies interesting concepts to a wide range of production areas, from typography and design to research and consulting. Katarina Witt attends the Laureus Charity Gala at the Mercedes Benz branch on July 7, 2008 in Stuttgart, Germany. The American skater performing during the women's free skating program at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 23, 2006, at Palavela in Turin, Italy. Norwegian skater Sonja Henie in a knee-length, long-sleeve silk dress in 1932. "[Men] can wear a tapered pant, but if it is a tight, that's a reduction in your score," two-time Olympian Johnny Weir told Cosmopolitan. Nancy Kerrigan looked chic in a simple sheer and ruched white dress as she took the podium for her bronze medal at the Albertville, France Olympic Games in 1992. Youll also find her briefly hanging out with Jerry Maguire, or in season one of Everybody Loves Raymond. American skater Debi Thomas in a very sheer leotard during a 1989 performance. These Winter Cocktails Will Warm Ya Right Up. Did she lose points for her pants? A Canadian coach called it practically a g-string (one has to wonder if this Canadian coach ever saw a g-string), and even Dr. Ruth was contacted by Reuters to comment on the dress. Not possible. 100+ Years of Olympic Opening Ceremony Highlights. As soon as the skirt-only ice age melted away, Russian skater Irina Slutskaya wore a fiery bodysuit at the 2006 Olympics. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. And it must have worked, because Witt and company propelled Ice Wars into a 13-year phenomenon. To read and save unlimited articles, sign up to become a Cosmopolitan member. Katarina Witt Evening Dress. Herma Planck-Szabo, Ethel Muckelt and Beatrix Loughran, 1924. German skater Katarina Witt in a pink illusion V-neck number at the 1984 Games. The Japanese skater competing during the 2010 Winter Olympics at Pacific Coliseum on Feb. 25, 2010, in Vancouver, Canada. Now that is some ooey-gooey dance pop music bliss that may or may not make any sense, but just try not listening to this song and feeling like you can land a double salchow right in the middle of Limelight or Palladium. Margot Robbie portrays the life of American skater Tonya Harding. In fact, at the 1924 games in Chamonix, France, women wore full skirts with sweaters and hats that didnt look much different from their everyday clothes (which makes sense, considering Olympic skating rinks used to be outdoors). Spoiler alert: There's a lot of illusion mesh and Spandex going on. Blue feather costume that shows off too much butt cheek sold separately. Sign up for notifications from Insider! The International Skating Union now stipulates, that the clothing must not give the effect of excessive nudity inappropriate for the discipline. However, clothing may reflect the character of the music. Showing Editorial results for katarina witt. The Russian skater competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 12, 2018. She has gained international recognition for her unique and empowering style, which combines bold colors, whimsical patterns, and positive messaging. The key takeaway: she was good. Brian Boitano of the United States in a billowing, V-neck blouse and skintight pants at the 1988 Olympics. The American skater competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. From some of the earliest modern Olympic games to this week's events in Beijing, here are the most iconic figure skating outfits to have ever graced the ice. I'd be walking through an airport and I'd see someone with the issue of Playboy in their hands, and they'd see me, and their eyes would go right to my chest. From then on, hemlines continued to go shorter. As for more pop culture Katarina Witt treasures? Long before ESPN would release their annual Body issue showing off naked Gronk or chiseled Ronda Rousey or the of Jerry Rice, Witt appeared on the December 1998 cover of Playboy Magazine and in a spread that delivered all the body positivity. Witts a fascinating character in the narrative of sports stars who cross over into pop culture figures. Skaters also favor illusion mesh and backless designs that mirror dresses we see on runways and red carpets. The Ukrainian skater performing during the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. The rule is you have to be 50 percent covered with material, which I was but, it depends on how tastefully you do it. Figure Skating Championships. Through the 50s and 60s, womens costumes were still quite basic and generally featured high necklines with flared skirts. Lu, of China, in the free skate portion of the ladies singles figure skating competition at the 1994 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1994, in Lillehammer, Norway. Gold medalist at the 1956 Olympic Games in Cortina, Italy, Tenley Albright wore a dress with a panel-pleated skirt. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' (Everyman) dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church (Berliner Dom) on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. Figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. They dont just sit and drink coffee and they move the bottom half of their bodies well, which is very beneficial. Paging Gus Kenworthy. but alas, Dr. Ruths vision for a dress code came true, and the Katarina Rule was born requiring skaters to (in the words of Jurassic Park) cover their butts. And then you wait for CBS to call and say two magical words: Ice Wars.. Cosmopolitan participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. I Was a Teenage Catfish and I Regret Nothing. Janet Lynn, Beatrix Schuba and Karin Magnussen, 1972. And speaking of dresses, Witts 88 Olympics blue dress made history itself. (October 12, 2009 - Source: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Europe) see more angles Newest Full List. Kristi Yamaguchi opted for a long sleeved gold brocade dress for the Olympic Games in Albertville, France the year she took home the gold medal. Then the '80s rolled around, and spandex, sparkles, chiffon, sequins and beads reigned supreme. 55 Outdoor Date Ideas You Won't Actually Hate, Turns Out, We're All Really Pissed About Money, The Very Best High-Waisted Jeans on the Internet, 30 Spring Cocktails to Shake Up This Weekend, 39 of the Best Bubble Butts, Bulges, and VPLs From the Rio Olympics. Witt won the gold at the 84 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, then for the next four years flip-flopped with American figure skater Debi Thomas to be the best in the world. And the lyrics are Susan Powter-level inspiration: Just take the mirror and hold up highLook at yourself straight in the eyeYour moment of truth has finally arrivedSkate with me skate with meWe dont need tomorrow, no cause youll be far away Skate with me skate with meIf your heart says follow go and you can come along and skate with me. Sonja Henie in a dark dress with an embellished hem at the 1936 Games. #Olympics, I dont care about how the skate goes, but Mae-Berenice Meit wearing pants and skating to Beyonc is a powerful thing. The regulation dictated that it was mandatory for women to wear a skirt that covered their hips and butt, and also required that women covered their midriffs. Performing during the ladies short program as part of the figure skating team event at the 2018 Winter Olympics at the Gangneung Ice Arena. 2023 Getty Images. Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. During the ladies short event, French figure skater Ma-Brnice Mit carved out a place for herself by skating to music including the Beyonc hits Halo and Run the World (Girls). But thats not the only aspect of her performance making waves. That rule was overturned in the early 2000s, bringing back the pants. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Russian team Oksana Grichtchuk (in a steamy mesh-illusion crop top) and Evgeni Platov (in a suit) at the 1994 Olympics. Which brings us to 1988 and. Plus, skirts are just easier on the eyes and more frequently identified with femininity, which is what figure skating is pretty much all about. Henie ended up becoming a Hollywood star, posing for this picture in a feathery skating getup in 1943. Dubravcic, representing Yugoslavia, skating her long program during the Winter Olympics on Feb. 18, 1984, in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Adelina Sotnikova, gold medalist of the 2014 Olympic Games, modeled modern and edgy outfits that varied from the traditional figure skating costume like this red cut-out dress. A bodysuit full of rhinestones can weigh up to two pounds. Cozy Up With These Movies About Skiing. Shaun White and Nina Dobrevs Cutest Moments, Meet Naomi Osakas Incredibly Supportive Parents, 16 Pics of Olympians the Moment They Knew They Won, You Def Wanna See Funny Tweets About the Olympics, This 15-Year-Old Ice Skater Just Made History, Dont Let Maame Bineys Smiling Face Fool You, Meet Olympian Chloe Kims Skateboarder Boyfriend, Wondering When the Next Olympics Games Are? Surya Bonaly of France in a low-cut, bare-armed number at the 1998 Olympics. [1] But back in 1988 . Katarina Witt has responded to comments that she shows too much boob on Dancing On Ice, claiming that it's only because she 'sits down'. Male figure skater, Adam Rippon kept his pants simple and stole the show with his skin tight sequin shirt while competing at the Pyeongchang Olympics. Meg Donohue is the Associate Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Kostner, of Italy, performing during the free skating program of the ladies singles event during the 2006 Winter Olympics on Feb. 23, 2006, at Palavela in Turin, Italy. July 26, 2001 -- When Katarina Witt glided onto the ice, the world watched every move of the beautiful East German figure skater. She won the gold medal. "I have been close for being docked points but, it has never happened," Marissa Castelli, an Olympic bronze medalist and two-time national champion tells Bustle. "One time we had a gold dress that had the whole back open and cutouts on the front with nude mesh. Katarina Witt has an estimated net worth of $9 million. Then the 80s rolled around, and spandex, sparkles, chiffon, sequins and beads reigned supreme. According to the NBC Olympics page, Ladies in singles and pairs can wear a skirt, pants or tights. However, that wasnt always the rule. Katarina Witt, (born December 3, 1965, Karl-Marx-Stadt, East Germany [now Chemnitz, Germany]), German figure skater who was the first woman to win consecutive Olympic gold medals (1984 and 1988) in singles figure skating since Sonja Henie in 1936. Sarah Hughes wore a lavender dress with a beaded bodice for the Salt Lake City Olympics, at which she won a gold medal in the ladies free program. Keep scrolling to see the stunning evolution of womens figure skating costumes through the years. One outfit, a feathered blue number worn by East Germany's Katarina Witt at the 1988 Olympic games (pictured below), was deemed too scandalous by the International Skating Union. She won four world titles (1984-85 and 1987 . While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. Debi Thomas dazzled in an embellished bubblegum pink outfit as she placed second at the U.S. The American athlete competing in the Winter Olympics at the Zetra Ice Stadium in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, February 1984. Accessories and props are not permitted. Katarina Witt's outfit caused the ISU to institute "The Katarina Rule." Associated Press "The Katarina Rule" dictates that women's hips, midriffs, and behinds are covered. Russian ice dancers Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin fueled controversy with their stereotyped "aboriginal" costumes. . Skating her free program in the ladies singles event of the figure skating competition in the 1998 Winter Olympics held on Feb. 20, 1998, in Nagano, Japan. Town & Country participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Figure skating competitors often make headlines for their extravagant outfits as much as they do for their athletic abilities. Mit emerged from the masses in a bodysuit with pants. Witt's blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. Kerrigan, of the U.S., performing at the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, where she won the silver medal. With designing the outfits comes great resposibility. As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. Sumners won the silver medal in the event. Promise. AP But after Katarina Witt famously competed in the 1998 Olympics in a scandalously short, feathery blue costume that officials deemed too revealing, the International Skating Union stepped in and put official dress code regulations in place. By most standards today it was basically a blue dress with some feathers. But the 90s also took Witt out of the figure skating world and directly into dance clubs? While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. not to mention a backflipping Surya Bonaly! Gracie Gold represented the United States at the Sochi Olympic Games in a theatrical red velvet dress with an embellished necklace and rosebud detail. German figure skater Katarina Witt is known as one of the greatest of all time in her sport, thanks in part to her back-to-back Olympic gold medals. Ice skating costumes have often been a great example of what constitutes "sexy" attire maybe it's just the chill thrill of the rink, but skaters' attire has often been boundary-pushing (and, in olden times, modesty-pushing too). Ilia Kulik of Russia in a flowing, see-through costume at the 1998 Olympics. Hamill won the gold medal for the U.S. in the ladies singles figure skating event. However, at the 1988 Olympics, the official Olympic dress code rules changed in response to the "scandalous" outfit worn by a competitor from East Germany named Katarina Witt. Chin, of the U.S., performing at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia.