As a result, the ISU instituted "The Katarina Rule." . And then you wait for CBS to call and say two magical words: Ice Wars.. So, Mit might be onto something. 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. 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!? Figure skating fashion just keeps getting better. Michelle Kwan opted for an understated lilac velvet spaghetti-strap dress (which was super on-trend at the time) when she won silver at the 1998 Winter Olympics, a stark contrast to the ruffles and bedazzled outfits of her competitive counterparts. Rare Photos of Katarina Witt Here are some rare and classic photos of two-time Olympic gold medalist skater Katarina Witt, who turned 50 on Dec. 3, 2015. 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. Witt was a high-profile sporting star and landed tv and film cameo roles. 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. Lia Beck. She won her first at the 1984 Sarajevo games and her second four years later at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. 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.. 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. 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. That same year, American skater Debi Thomas made waves by wearing a full unitard for competition, which led to a ban on costumes without skirts. Also, the costume needs to be exactly what it should be for that particular skater, and that particular program. Altwegg, from Great Britain, after winning a gold medal in the Women's Figure Skating Competition in the 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway. The controversy here was how short and skimpy the \"skirt\" part of Katarina's outfit was, especially in the front. 1. So scroll on for the steamiest figure-skating costume looks of all time. Stay up to date with what you want to know. 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. 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. What do you do after you win two gold medals? She was of course up against Thomas, and the drama was high as both Witt and Thomas chose music from Carmen to skate to, letting the media bill this like a professional wrestling bout: The Battle of the Carmens. East Germany's Katarina Witt won the 1984 Olympic gold medal and sought a back-to-back victory four years later at the 1988 Calgary Games. 4. I Was a Teenage Catfish and I Regret Nothing. The Canadian athlete competing in a figure skating competition in the 1988 Winter Olympics. While dresses have to be lightweight to not create too much drag, each one is unique. Mit emerged from the masses in a bodysuit with pants. Shortly after the games concluded, figure skating implemented a dress code and dubbed it "The Katarina Rule.". The odd badass bodysuit happens from time to time, and many use their costumes as an opportunity to express themselves. 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. Womens figure skating is, hands down, one of the most visually stunning events to watch at the 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. So even if you don't keep up with competitive figure skating, you'll probably tune in at least once during these next few weeks. Arakawa, of Japan, 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. American skater Heiss at the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Debi Thomas dazzled in an embellished bubblegum pink outfit as she placed second at the U.S. These Twitter reactions sum it up. These Winter Cocktails Will Warm Ya Right Up. Wish she could've done better #Olympics. Create an account and youll be able to save and revisit articles. . Performing at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. Straight downzap, Witt says in her memoir Only With Passion. The 23-year-old took to the ice in black leggings that appeared to be attached to a gold and black sparkly sleeveless top. Katarina Witt's blue costume caused a stir. Laetitia Hubert of France in a yellow skirt and some strategically-placed flames at the 1998 Games. Katarina Witt of the German Democratic Republic placed 2nd in the portion of the competition. As for more pop culture Katarina Witt treasures? 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. Lynn, representing the U.S. at 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. With her 3rd place finish in Compulsory Figures, she would be in 2nd Place going into the Long. The American skater competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. The Russian skater performing in the women's free program of the figure skating event at the Olympic Ice Center, Feb. 21, 2002, during the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Witt's blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. Wittjust like the states of Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin in the 2020 electionrefused him, leading Trump to add Witt to a grudge list of women who declined to date him. Katarina Witt has an estimated net worth of $9 million. and even more daring ensemble. America's Tim Wood in a form-fitting suit at the Olympics in 1968. Or as Bustle put it, Katarina Wittts butt cheek single-handedly changed the figure skating dress code for over a decade. 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. Then the '80s rolled around, and spandex, sparkles, chiffon, sequins and beads reigned supreme. See how figure skating dresses have evolved over the years, from vintage 1920s costumes to the outfits Olympians wear today. French skater Philippe Candeloro in a Braveheart-inspired costume at the Goodwill Games in 2000. If it checks off all of those boxes, for me, thats a wonderful costume., Aurelia Durand is a talented illustrator and artist who hails from France but currently lives in Copenhagen. When the first Olympic figure skating competition launched in the 1920s, costumes were designed with the cold weather in mind. 100+ Years of Olympic Opening Ceremony Highlights. Osmond, from Canada, competing in figure skating team event during the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 8, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. 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. During the Winter Olympic Games in St. Moritz, American skater, Gretchen Merrill, opted for an all white ensemble complete with a beaded cap. The World, where four figure skaters from the U.S. battled four figure skaters from well, the world. For one, it seems not everyone is up to date on the new rules. She won four world titles (1984-85 and 1987 . 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. And it must have worked, because Witt and company propelled Ice Wars into a 13-year phenomenon. 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 . Christopher Morris - Corbis via Getty Images, competed in a skirt with a comparatively short hemline, lower necklines were making their way onto the ice, womens hips, midriffs and buttocks had to be covered with a skirt. A bodysuit full of rhinestones can weigh up to two pounds. American figure skater Debi Thomas in a black jumpsuit at the 1988 Olympics. German skater Katarina Witt in a red design with a low-cut sheer panel and very '80s sleeves at the 1988 Games. [1] The figure skater won Japan its first gold medal in the sport during the Turin, Italy Olympics. Katarina Witt performs on stage during the 'Jedermann' dress rehearsal at the Berlin Cathedral Church on October 13, 2009 in Berlin, Germany. 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. The South Korean skater competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on Feb. 19, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. "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. (in a fringed zebra-print dress with side cut-outs) and Chuen Gun Lee (in black . However, those glimmering crystals and sheer panels aren't just deployed for ornamental purposes they actually serve as bulwarks against immodesty and point deductions. Russian ice dancers Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin fueled controversy with their stereotyped "aboriginal" costumes. (October 12, 2009 - Source: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images Europe) see more angles Newest Full List. 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. Men must wear full length trousers and must not wear tights. 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. 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. Its free! Beatrix Schuba represented Austria in a bejeweled blazer-like design when she won an Olympic gold medal in Sapporo, Japan. Plus, skirts are just easier on the eyes and more frequently identified with femininity, which is what figure skating is pretty much all about. The American skater during the Winter Olympics skating competition in 1976 in Innsbruck, Austria. To read and save unlimited articles, sign up to become a Cosmopolitan member. The American athlete skating in the free skate during the ladies singles figure skating event of the 1998 Winter Olympics on Feb. 20, 1998, in Nagano, Japan. The rule is you have to be 50 percent covered with material, which I was but, it depends on how tastefully you do it. The Russian skater during the ladies singles figure skating short program at the Sochi Winter Olympics, 2014. The presence of glaring Olympian butt cheek scandalized the International Skating Union, the governing body for competitive figure skating including the Olympics. This French Figure Skater May Not Have Won A Medal, But Her Pants Took People's Choice. Katarina Witt's infamous blue dress at the 1988 Olympics is the reason figure skating now has a dress code. From wearing tighter-fitting suits in the early 1900s to showing a little kneecap in the 1930s, then flirting with fringe-y miniskirts and skintight catsuits in the 1980s to going all-out with cutouts in the 2000s. She plays a figure skater, but dont let that fool you: theres some good acting chops on display, and her character plays a massive role in the films ending. Despite the relatively vague assessment metric for women's costumes, there is one black-and-white rule is that men can't stray from: No leggings. British figure skater John Curry in a disco-worthy jumpsuit at the Olympics in 1976. For her routine, Shizuka Arakawa wore a unique dual-toned blue dress with sheer sleeves and low neckline. 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. 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. 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. 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. The American athlete competing in the Winter Olympics at the Zetra Ice Stadium in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, February 1984. Her blue figure skating dress had feathers adorned at the waist instead of a skirt and was barely covering her posterior. 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. She was also paid seven figures to pose, making her one of the highest paid models for Playboy in the 1990s. Photo: Getty Images 2023 Getty Images. As soon as the skirt-only ice age melted away, Russian skater Irina Slutskaya wore a fiery bodysuit at the 2006 Olympics. ), but the global footprint of WittKatarina the Great as many billed hermade a world class figure skater into a pop culture crossover. The South Korean skater competing in the figure skating team event during the 2018 Winter Olympics. Accessories and props are not permitted. Figure Skating Championship. Unfortunately, the judges werent as impressed, giving her a score of 46.62, putting her in ninth place. Katerina looked like a . Herma Planck-Szabo, Ethel Muckelt and Beatrix Loughran, 1924. And they have. Katarina Witt of Germany in a strapless, arm-baring number at the 1988 Olympics. 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. Katarina Witt's Net Worth and Career Earnings. 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. "[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. Its absolutely nightmarish!, says runway designer Vera Wang, who custom designed the outfit of US competitor Nathan Chen. This means that although most competitors stick with the typical glitzy, sparkling dresses, there are hardly any strict rules that have to be followed. Planck-Szabo of Austria, Muckelt of Great Britain and Loughran of the United States at the 1924 winter Olympics in Chamonix, France, Jan. 30, 1924. Norwegian figure skater Sonja Henie wore a playful long sleeve black dress and beret for her routine at the Olympic Games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, for which she won her third gold medal. Sumners won the silver medal in the event. 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. 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. South Korea's Lily Lyoonjung Lee in a cute, short-skirted, pink piece at the 1994 Winter Olympics. The judge, who once stripped for Playboy, now says she will change her. By the 70s, lower necklines were making their way onto the ice and embellishments also started gaining popularity. The skater from East Germany skating during the 1984 Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, on Feb. 18, 1984. In addition, in Ice Dance ladies must wear a skirt. Witt, a German double Olympic gold medal-winning skater, was said to be upset over the criticism about her low-cut outfits. 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.". One outfit, a feathered blue number worn by East Germanys Katarina Witt at the 1988 Olympic games (pictured below), was deemed too scandalous by the International Skating Union. 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.". Saaame, Leslie Jones Is Narrating the Olympics and Its , 70 of the Sexiest Figure-Skating Costumes of All Time. You've hit your max! 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. 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. Witts a fascinating character in the narrative of sports stars who cross over into pop culture figures. has collaborated with many Olympic figure skaters, Olympic bronze medalist and two-time national champion. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. 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. American skater Debi Thomas in a very sheer leotard during a 1989 performance. 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. 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. Get ready for sheer mesh, catsuits, and a whole lotta plunging necklines. Countless others have dug deep into Witts figure skating legacy. 1988: Katarina Witt Although it looks relatively tame today, this was the look heard around the figure skating world. The Women Skating for Team USA at the Olympics, This Vermont Family Is an Olympic Skiing Dynasty, Princess Anne's Message to British Olympians, 11 Royals Who Have Competed in the Olympics, Simone Biles Reflects On Withdrawal From Tokyo, Meet Some of Team USA's Track and Field Stars, Bruce Springsteens Daughter Wins Silver Medal, 33 Famous Ice Skating Outfits Worthy of Their Very Own Gold Medal.