2006 was a big year in figure skating history, since it was an Olympic year. This article highlights some of the important ice skating memories that happened in 2006.
1. The United States Wins the First Olympic Medal in Ice Dancing in Thirty Years
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In 1976, ice dancing was first introduced in the Olympics. Americans Colleen O'Connor and Jim Millns won a bronze medal in ice dancing at that Olympics. No other American skaters have won an Olympic medal in ice dancing until Belbin and Agosto won the silver medal in 2006.
2. First Throw Triple Axel
Rena Inoue and John Baldwin are the first and only figure skating pair team to land a throw triple axel. They performed this historical move at the 2006 Olympics.3. Skating Legend Michelle Kwan Named First Public Diplomacy Envoy for the U.S.
Michelle Kwan was appointed as a public diplomacy ambassador for the United States in 2006. In this position, the figure skating legend will represent American values and will do much traveling.Michelle was injured in 2006. This injury made the news when she withdrew from the 2006 Olympic Games. She also decided to go back to school in 2006 and not compete in 2006-07.
4. New Figure Skating Judging System at the 2006 Olympics
At the 2002 Olympics, it was discovered that the French Skating Federation had "made a deal" with the Russians. The "deal" was to give the French the gold medal in ice dancing and the Russians the gold in pair skating.Until that incident, it was suspected that some figure skating competitions were fixed and that the figure skating judging system was not fair, but no changes in ice skating judging took place. What happened at the 2002 Olympics changed figure skating forever since shortly afterwards, a new system of judging was implemented.
The first Olympics that this new scoring system was used was in 2006.
5. "Skating With Celebrities"
"Skating With Celebrities" was a prime-time television show that aired in early 2006. It partnered six professional figure skaters with six famous personalities. Paired with professional skaters, celebrities trained and competed in a live television skating competition.6. 1968 Olympic Champion Wolfgang Schwarz Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison
Wolfgang Schwarz, who won the men's figure skating event in the 1968 Olympics was sentenced to prison in 2006. He plotted to kidnap the daughter of a Romanian businessman and hold her for a ransom of nearly four million dollars.7. Olympic Champion Evgeni Plushenko Became a Father
2006 Olympic Men's Champion Evgeni Plushenko, became a father in 2006.8. Young American Skater Kimmie Meissner Wins Worlds
Kimmie Meissner won the 2006 World Figure Skating Championship. She is the first American woman to win this title at a first appearance at worlds.9. Lloyd Eisler Suspended From Coaching and Creates a Celebrity Skating Scandal
In October of 2006, Canadian Pair Skating Champion, Lloyd Eisler was suspended from coaching in Canada for one year because it was suspected that he sent an inappropriate email to a minor. He also took part in "Skating With Celebrities" and then partnered up with actress Kristy Swanson off the ice. The couple's first child was conceived in 2006.10. Emily Hughes Suddenly Wins a Trip to the 2006 Winter Olympics
Emily Hughes, the sister of 2002 Olympic Champion, Sarah Hughes, earned a spot on the 2006 Olympic Figure Skating Team when Michelle Kwan withdrew due to injury. Emily placed seventh at the 2006 Olympics.Join the Discussion - 2006 Figure Skating Highlights and Memories
What are your top favorite figure skating memories from 2006? Share your thoughts!
