Did you know that speed skating has been an Olympic event since the first 1924 Olympic Winter Games? ...read more

_{Olympic Speed Skating - Photo by Stephen Munday/Getty Images}

The judging of ice skating is done by volunteers. It is a wonderful way to help figure skaters. I know how hard figure skating judges work. They take what they do seriously, and they are very devoted to our sport. Most ice skating judges also work hard to promote figure skating.

Recently, I heard, after a skating test session, that a judge told a figure skating coach that a certain skater should quit skating. He felt that the child had no skating talent. He suggested that the skater "take up soccer instead."

Hearing about this bothers me greatly. In my opinion, this person does not understand that figure skating judges are supposed to encourage skaters. A skating judge should not discourage a person who loves to skate to leave the sport.

Should anything be done about this situation? What are your thoughts? Should this judge's club or test chairman be asked to not have this person judge as often, or perhaps not be on this particular skater's test panel? Should this person continue judging skating at all?

• How to Become a Figure Skating Judge
• Understanding Figure Skating Tests and Levels

At the Olympic Games, at least two different phases of a figure skating event take place. Single skaters and pair skaters first do a short program and then the freeskate. Ice dancers first do a compulsory dance, then an original dance, and finally skate a free dance.

The last part of an Olympic figure skating event is the most exciting to watch!

• Phases of Olympic Figure Skating Events

_{2006 Olympic Ice Dancing Silver Medalists Ben Agosto and Tanith Belbin Compete in the Original Dance Phase of an Ice Dancing Event - Photo by China Photos-Stringer/Getty Images}

The Professional Skaters Association has asked Tom Zakrajsek, the coach of U.S. figure skater, Rachael Flatt, to blog about his experience at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. He will be sharing about what it is like to be a first-time coach at the Olympics.

I'm looking forward to reading all about Tom's adventures. How exciting it must be to be the coach of Rachael Flatt!

• My Vancouver 2010 Journey - By Tom Zakrajsek

_{Tom Zakrajsek and Rachael Flatt - Photo by Pool/Getty Images}