Sonja Henie in a dark dress with an embellished hem at the 1936 Games. Katarina Witt of the German Democratic Republic placed 2nd in the portion of the competition. It takes grit, stamina and a willingness to throw yourself onto a slab of solid ice over and over again and look beautiful while doing it. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. Witt, and the only woman to beat her since winning. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. But back in 1988 . Unlike the dress code, the actual rules of competitive figure skating which has been around for over 100 years are complicated enough to make your head spin. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. From then on, hemlines continued to go shorter. A figure skater born in an authoritarian state who got scolded by Dr. Ruth, won 2 gold medals AND an Emmy, rebuffed a gross pick-up line from Donald Trump, caused Playboy magazines to soar off the shelves, starred in a movie with Robert DeNiro, and was featured in a 90s dance song with one of the members of La Bouche!? Canada's Joannie Rochette in the ladies figure skating event at the 2010 Winter Olympics at Pacific Coliseum on Feb. 23, 2010, in Vancouver, Canada. Witt's blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. Katarina Witt, Wladimir Klitschko, Countess Mariella von Faber-Castell Ahrens and Henry Maske attend the after show party to 'Tribute To Bambi 2009'. Wish she'd done a whole program to Beyonce songs. Blue feather costume that shows off too much butt cheek sold separately. American skater and bronze medalist Debi Thomas decided to forgo a dress at the Calgary Olympics, instead opting to perform her routine in an embellished jumpsuit instead. She won the gold medal. 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. Fleming, of the U.S., practicing on an outside rink in February 1968 in Grenoble, France, during the Winter Olympics. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Costume designer Brad Griffies who designed American skaterGracie Gold's blue costume, below likes to deploy nude fabric strategically. I had a few judges question it but, after a year of wearing it I still never received any costume violations.". Performing during the short program of the ladies singles figure skating event on Feb. 21, 2006, at at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. ESPN dove deep into this moment in a documentary called The Diplomat which, if you can get your hands on a copy, is a great journey into the intersection of sports, politics, and the Cold War. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. So, Mit might be onto something. 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. 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The odd badass bodysuit happens from time to time, and many use their costumes as an opportunity to express themselves. Meet Ma-Brnice Mit, an Olympic Figure Skater from France.- Dark skinned black woman- Wore pants for her routine- Skated to BeyoncHAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackGirlMagic #BlackExcellence #ItsTooColdForSkirtsOutThere pic.twitter.com/jYkEGqbkup, how she scored is irrelevant; Ma-Brnice Mit skating to a Beyonce mashup in pants is my new queen and 2018 mood #Olympics, I love everything about Ma-Brnice Mit's outfit. Through the 50s and 60s, womens costumes were still quite basic and generally featured high necklines with flared skirts. So unless the official guidebook undergoes a complete re-haul, sheer panels and illusion sleeves are here to stay for modesty's sake. American figure skater Debi Thomas in a black jumpsuit at the 1988 Olympics. 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. American figure skater Gretchen Merrill in a button-down shirt and pleated skirt at the 1948 Winter Games. Saaame, Leslie Jones Is Narrating the Olympics and Its , 70 of the Sexiest Figure-Skating Costumes of All Time. The Russian athlete competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics on Feb. 11, 2018. 1. 2023 Getty Images. American skater Michelle Kwan in a flowing pink piece with a sheer illusion triangle top in 2000. The Japanese skater competing during the 2010 Winter Olympics at Pacific Coliseum on Feb. 25, 2010, in Vancouver, Canada. Photo: Getty Images Norwegian skater Sonja Henie in a knee-length, long-sleeve silk dress in 1932. Become a Cosmo member to read and save unlimited articles. Clothing that does not adhere to these guidelines will be penalized by a deduction.". Katarina Witt's infamous blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. Later in the 1980s, figure skater Katarina Witt caught flack for her "scandalous" low V-neck outfit and champion sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner raised hell for her neon, one-legged running . American skater Heiss at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. 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. 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? And hey, if you have an extra $7.50 USD lying around, you can always head on over to eBay and grab yourself a Katarina Witt action figure. Philippe Candeloro of France in a pirate-esque costume at the 1998 Olympics. Men must wear full length trousers and must not wear tights. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. Margot Robbie portrays the life of American skater Tonya Harding. In the words of Beyonc, the pants-clad and badass skater is repping for the girls who taking over the world.. 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. Figure Skating Championships. The Ukrainian athlete competing in the free skate portion of the ladies singles event at the 1994 Winter Olympic Games on Feb. 25, 1994, at the Hamar Olympic Amphitheatre in Lillehammer, Norway. 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. Plus, skirts are just easier on the eyes and more frequently identified with femininity, which is what figure skating is pretty much all about. Showing Editorial results for katarina witt. And what's an Olympic figure skating competition without controversy? I'm with it. The issue was so popular it became the first issue of Playboy to sell out since the 1950s, flying off the racks of Hudson News, truck stop shelves, or your local Borders or Media Play (RIP). Glitter and crystals, however, werent always the norm in the world of figure skating. The no-skirt ban was lifted in 2003, per The Boston Globe, and full leotards became acceptable; most recently, Mae Berenice Meite of France competed in Pyeongchang wearing a bedazzled unitard, while Russias Irina Slutskaya wore a sparkly one-piece at the 2006 Olympics. Competing for her 9th consecutive U.S. Champion title, Michelle Kwan wore a one-shouldered gold sequin dress. Tens across the board for Katarina Witt, the Olympic figure skating powerhouse whose determination on and off the ice dominated American pop culture of the 80s and 90s. Gracie Gold represented the United States at the Sochi Olympic Games in a theatrical red velvet dress with an embellished necklace and rosebud detail. even Dr. Ruth was contacted by Reuters to comment on the dres, boogie to the dulcet sounds of a cold bottle of Diet Coke being cracked open, for the most 90s dance track imaginable: Skate With Me., an anecdote about how Trump once tried to hit on Katarina Witt, The East German Stasi (secret police) kept 3,500 pages of files on her. 3. Then the '80s rolled around, and spandex, sparkles, chiffon, sequins and beads reigned supreme. Prev 5 of 8 Next . Evgeni Plushenko of Russia in a silver disco outfit with a sheer panel down the front at the 2002 Games. A two-time Olympic champion, Witt is regarded as one of the greatest ladies' singles figure skaters of all time. . The judge, who once stripped for Playboy, now says she will change her. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. 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. The presence of glaring Olympian butt cheek scandalized the International Skating Union, the governing body for competitive figure skating including the Olympics. Cohen refers to the red velvet and gold embroidered dress that she won her silver medal in at the Turin Olympics as her "Romeo and Juliet dress.". Katarina Witt Evening Dress. 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, a competitor from East Germany, performed in a blue costume, adorned at the waist with feathers instead of a skirt, the likes of which barely covered her posterior as she moved. 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. As soon as the skirt-only ice age melted away, Russian skater Irina Slutskaya wore a fiery bodysuit at the 2006 Olympics. Lia Beck. She also wore pants for her free skate at the 2014 Olympics the unitard was similar, but the sparkly top was silver, blue, and black. Mit might prefer pants; she competed in the same costume at the womens short program dance during the Internationaux de France ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Grenoble, France, in November. The 23-year-old took to the ice in black leggings that appeared to be attached to a gold and black sparkly sleeveless top. Which brings us to 1988 and. I would say that in order to keep a certain decorum there should be some regulations on what type of dress is appropriate., Oddly enough in that same interview Dr. Ruth went on to describe how skiers make the best lovers. Even though she failed to medal Italian figure skater Carolina Kostner looked stunning in an ombr dress encrusted with crystals for the Sochi Winter Olympics. The ISU instituted " The Katarina Rule, " which dictated that women's hips, midriffs, and butt were covered. South Korea's Yuna Kim performs in the Ladies' Free skating program at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, during the 2010 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 2010. Her response? Sep 8, 2021 - Katarina Witt Evening Dress - Katarina Witt attended the Echo Klassik in a dazzling royal blue evening dress. Without giving too much away, lets just say that if you like your double toe-loops with a dose of snipers and car chases, this movies for you. Wish she could've done better #Olympics. Performing in the ladies singles figure skating event at the 1988 Winter Olympics on Feb. 25, 1988, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. An unabashed 80s & 90s pop culture junkie, Michael Jones is a Brooklyn-based writer and co-host of the Pop Trash Podcast. And that right there feels worth at least another gold medal for Witt. Albright of the United States displaying her grace and technique during her free skating program at the 1956 Winter Olympics. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Ptzsch, of East Germany, performing at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. The American skater during the Winter Olympics skating competition in 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria. "If youre going for strapless, it's nice to have that nude in there, to make everything stay," he told Slate,suggesting that flesh-colored panels help ensure modesty, but also a better, more flexible fit. Girl, you are an #OlympicHero, Ma-Brnice Mit to Beyonce in pants. The Forward Calendar March is bursting with the most vibrant and inspiring cultural events. 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. has collaborated with many Olympic figure skaters, Olympic bronze medalist and two-time national champion. For $5.95 you could catch Katarina Witt baring it all or, if you were one of those who bought Playboy for the articles, you could read the latest story from Joyce Carol Oates or read 20 questions with Gore Vidal! 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. Michelle Kwan, for example, popularized a look that was more swimsuit than skating, eschewing beaded sleeves for spaghetti straps. These Twitter reactions sum it up. Witt was a high-profile sporting star and landed tv and film cameo roles. (October 12, 2009 - Source: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Europe) see more angles Newest Full List. 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. That is how serious it is. French skater Philippe Candeloro in a Braveheart-inspired costume at the Goodwill Games in 2000. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. Figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. Yep, in 1995, Witt joined with Melanie Thornton (the voice behind 90s dance sensation La Bouche) as well as singers Joan Faulkner and Linda Rocco who sang back-up for acts like Milli Vanilli, for the most 90s dance track imaginable: Skate With Me.. The Canadian athlete competing in a figure skating competition in the 1988 Winter Olympics. Just like that time Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey showed up at the VMAs wearing the same dress. For all its glamour, figure skating is one of the toughest sports to master. info); born 3 December 1965) is a German former figure skater. as well as other partner offers and accept our, If youre going for strapless, it's nice to have that nude in there, to make everything stay," he told, NOW WATCH: A dog owner built custom ice skates for her pup and taught him how to skate, costumes were designed with the cold weather in mind. These Winter Cocktails Will Warm Ya Right Up. After Katarina Witt came out on the ice in a few feathers barely covering her behind in 1988, the International Skating Union enacted a rule that women had to wear skirts. The West German skater performing at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York. And speaking of dresses, Witt's '88 Olympics blue dress made history itself. As the New York Times recently noted, two-time gold medalist Katarina Witt has written about how, in 1987, her costume slipped during a competition and she was forced to finish the routine with. By most standards today it was basically a blue dress with some feathers. American skater Dorothy Hamill in a black and gold fringey design with a deep neckline in 1980. 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. You know, the kind that punctuate songs by Cathy Dennis, The Real McCoy, Le Click, etc. 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). Aug 12, 2022 - Explore Randy Lantz's board "Katarina Witt", followed by 399 people on Pinterest. Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. A bodysuit full of rhinestones can weigh up to two pounds. The rule was repealed . Katarina Witt even does one of those 90s dance talk-raps in the middle of it! Lynn, representing the U.S. at 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. Nagasu of the United States reacts after her routine in the figure skating team event during the 2018 Winter Olympics. During the Lillehammer Olympic Games, Nancy Kerrigan wore an elegant black and white dress with sheer sleeves that designer Vera Wang said "made her look tougher.". As Bustle notes, because the ISU rules apply to men and women, sheer panels and embellishments can be seen on both genders. East German figure skater, Katarina Witt, wore a Bavarian themed dress complete with billowing sleeves and dazzling tiara for her routine at the Sarajevo Winter Olympics. However, those glimmering crystals and sheer panels aren't just deployed for ornamental purposes they actually serve as bulwarks against immodesty and point deductions. Get ready for sheer mesh, catsuits, and a whole lotta plunging necklines. Thus was born Ice Wars: The USA vs. 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. Figure skating competitors often make headlines for their extravagant outfits as much as they do for their athletic abilities. British skater Jeannette Altwegg in a shiny, short-skirted dress at the Olympics in 1952. Get ready todiscoverfestivals, must-see performances, and hidden gallery shows. Figure skaters shouldnt wear outfits that could arouse judges. The figure skater won Japan its first gold medal in the sport during the Turin, Italy Olympics. Aside from winning a gold medal for East Germany at the Calgary Olympics, Katarina Witt caused quite the uproar over the short hemline on her blue feathered dress. 5. When East-German figure skating competitor Katarina Witt performed in an outfit that resembled a bathing suit at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, she shocked audiences around the world. The crowds at the Nagano Olympics cheered on the-then-15-year-old as she won the gold medal in a stylish and sweet blue dress. Accessories and props are not permitted. Countless others have dug deep into Witts figure skating legacy. Austrian skater Karl Shafer in a belted suit and tapered pants at the Olympics in 1936. 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. The best might be her appearance in the 1998 Robert DeNiro-led movie Ronin. But if women can wear tuxedos on the red carpet and not be any less elegant, female skaters can do the same in the rink. 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. Graceful figure skating twists and turns against a backdrop of NYC skyscrapers pair with Ella Fitzgerald crooning Autumn in New York, then suddenly break way to John Mellencamps and Meshell Ndegeocellos Wild Night and eight figure skaters going absolutely bananas on the ice, with Katarina Witt wearing a Robin Hood outfit. As difficult as it is, Olympic figure skaters make it look effortless, and their intricately designed dresses are all part of the illusion. During her figure skating routine at the 1936 Winter Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany. American skater Polina Edmunds wore a purple bodysuit in the ladies short program during the 2018 Prudential U.S. Part of HuffPost Style & Beauty. There was one scandalous moment at the 1988 Winter Olympics that changed the rules of competitive figure skating costumery for a decade-and-a-half, anyways. Ilia Kulik of Russia in a flowing, see-through costume at the 1998 Olympics. British pairs dancers Christopher Colin Dean (in a sheer black crop top) and partner Jayne Torvill in a fringed costume during a 1986 performance. As for more pop culture Katarina Witt treasures? 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. 1988: Katarina Witt Although it looks relatively tame today, this was the look heard around the figure skating world. Tonya Harding's red dress at the Lillehammer Olympic Games has become infamous when the figure skater was controversially allowed to re-do her routine because of a broken lace. The Russian skater competing in the figure skating team event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at Gangneung Ice Arena on Feb. 12, 2018. Kerrigan, of the U.S., performing at the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway, where she won the silver medal. British figure skater John Curry in a disco-worthy jumpsuit at the Olympics in 1976. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. The award-winning film I, Tonya in which Margot Robbie portrays the life of American skater Tonya Hardingrecreated the pleated teal outfit Harding wore for the U.S. 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 East German Stasi (secret police) kept 3,500 pages of files on her, as they monitored her every move in the late 70s/80s, ensuring she could be seen as the most beautiful face of socialism. The East German government even got involved in Witts first relationship, forcibly stationing her boyfriend at a military post far away to make sure Witt wasnt distracted by a boy in her pursuit for Olympic gold. Its free! Katarina Witt, a competitor from East Germany, performed in a blue costume, adorned at the waist with feathers instead of a skirt, the likes of which barely covered her posterior as she moved across the ice. Spoiler alert: There's a lot of illusion mesh and Spandex going on. Meite, of France, competing at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics on Feb. 8, 2014.